macOS permissions
Give Shotomatic access to capture the screen, focus windows, send keypresses, and monitor clicks.
Updated July 10, 2026
On this page
At startup and before capture, Shotomatic checks Screen Recording and Accessibility. Permissions Required shows both rows with Required or Granted status, links to the matching System Settings panels, and blocks capture until the required access is ready.
Screen Recording
Screen Recording is required to capture displays and app windows. Without it, the source list can be empty or Shotomatic may be unable to read the selected source.
To grant access:
- In Shotomatic, select Grant Permission or start choosing a capture source.
- In Permissions Required, find Screen Recording.
- Select Open Settings.
- Enable Shotomatic in the Screen Recording section of macOS Privacy & Security.
- Return to Shotomatic and select Refresh Status.
Accessibility
Accessibility is required when Shotomatic needs to interact with other apps. It enables:
- sending the key recorded in Key press after each screenshot;
- focusing a selected app window before automatic capture begins;
- monitoring clicks during Action Capture.
Grant it from the same Permissions Required dialog. Select Open Settings beside Accessibility, enable Shotomatic, return to the app, and select Refresh Status.
Continue after granting access
When both permissions show Granted, select Continue. If the source or area picker was interrupted by the dialog, open that picker again.
If macOS shows the permission as enabled but Shotomatic still reports it as missing:
- Toggle the permission off and on in System Settings.
- Return to Shotomatic and select Refresh Status again.
- If the status does not change, quit and reopen Shotomatic.
When a window cannot be focused
Shotomatic tries to focus a selected app window after the countdown. If macOS does not allow the focus change, a toast asks you to click the window manually. Click the target when the toast appears; Shotomatic waits briefly and continues.
Permission banner
A dismissible banner can remain visible while access is missing. Its Grant Permission action opens the first missing macOS permission panel. Return to Permissions Required and use Refresh Status after changing System Settings.