TeamViewer: Granting Permissions on macOS

(NOTE: This article is the same for both apps, TeamViewer and Technolutionary Support. If you don't have TeamViewer already, you can download it here and follow the steps below.)

TeamViewer is software that allows Team Technolutionary to see and control your computer. This is helpful in support situations, and is usually paired with a phone call so we can talk to you about what's happening while we're able to see your screen. It is Technolutionary policy to ask your permission before connecting, and you will also see an indicator on the side of your screen that TeamViewer is active, and the name of the person who is connected for the duration of the session.

Apple introduced a security mechanism with macOS 10.14 (Mojave) which requires special access to be granted to certain applications that want greater access to your computer. This feature has been expanded in macOS 10.15 (Catalina), so some things that worked before need more permissions now.

These additional permissions must be granted locally on the Mac and some of them require admin rights.

TeamViewer requires Screen Recording access so remote users can see your screen, it's not actually making a recording it's just showing your screen to the other person using TeamViewer. Accessibility access is needed so your mouse and keyboard can be controlled remotely. Full Disk Access allows remote users to access files and folders. You can tell if you need to grant permissions or not by launching TeamViewer. When it's open, if you only see the Partner ID and Password window, you're all set. If you see this window:

 

 

You'll need to make some adjustments. Here's how to grant permissions to TeamViewer:

Go to the Apple menu, and click on System Preferences, then open Security & Privacy.

Select the Privacy tab.

If privacy settings are locked, click the lock icon in the lower-left corner:

Enter your computer password and click Unlock.

In the left pane, select Full Disk Access.

If you see TeamViewer in the list, check the box next to it:

 

If you don't see TeamViewer in the list, click the + icon.

Navigate to Applications > TeamViewer.

Click Open.

The following message appears: “TeamViewer” will not have full disk access until it is quit.

Click Quit Now.

Restart your computer. 

When it comes back up, log in and look for the  in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Make sure it appears, that means TeamViewer is running.

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns along the way.