Give MeiFiles access to your folders

macOS lets an app from the Mac App Store open only the folders you choose. You choose a folder once, and MeiFiles can then open everything inside it.

When you open a folder that MeiFiles cannot read, the pane shows Permission Needed. On the first launch, this usually happens in your home folder.

Grant access from a pane#

1. Open the folder. The pane shows Permission Needed.
2. Click Grant Access….
3. In the window that opens, select the folder, or a folder above it.
4. Click Grant Access.

The pane opens the folder. Access covers every folder inside the one you chose.

Tip: Grant access to your home folder once. MeiFiles can then open everything in it, and you rarely see Permission Needed again.

Grant access in Settings#

1. Choose MeiFiles > Settings…, then click General.
2. In File Access, click Grant Folder Access….
3. Select a folder, then click Grant Access.

File Access lists every folder you granted. MeiFiles remembers them between launches.

Remove access#

1. Choose MeiFiles > Settings…, then click General.
2. In File Access, click Remove next to the folder.

MeiFiles stops reading that folder at once.

Note: Access to an external disk comes back when you connect the disk again.

Other places that ask for access#

• A copy or move can include a folder MeiFiles cannot read. MeiFiles warns you before it starts, with a Grant Access… button.
• In the folder tree, a folder MeiFiles cannot read shows a folder icon with a question mark. Open it to grant access.

See also#

• Learn the main window
• Use the sidebar and folder tree