More warndialogs ahead: Apple regulated access to MacOS intermediate storage

MAC users and developers have to adjust to a fundamental change in MacOS: In the future, the operating system warns a reference dialogue as soon as an app in the background accesses the central clipboard or read its content. Apple now has developers to this upcoming change pointed out in a note on app kit changes. Mac apps should be prepared for this innovation accordingly, the manufacturer advises.

With which MacOS version this data protection function for the clipboard is introduced is to be introduced in concrete terms. So far, this does not seem to be the case in the Beta of MacOS 15.5, but the implementation may follow with MacOS 16 in autumn. The new behavior can be tested by developers from MacOS 15.4.

Copy & Insert: Approval also required on the Mac

In iOS there has been such a data protection function for five years, MacOS follows up. The behavior on the MAC corresponds to the functionality in iOS, explains Apple. Users should only see a warning dialogue if an app records the content of the clipboard independently and without interaction – this is, this is done unnoticed by the user.

Apple provides in Paramedic In addition, new methods with which apps can check content in the clipboard for certain patterns without being able to view the actual content. The user then does not warn. An email client can thus check whether a copied email address is in the clipboard and then ask for access to read it out and insert it. The user is then able to generally allow or reject access. This apparently has to be done individually for each app, similar to how it is implemented in iOS.

Additional protection for content in the Mac intermediate shelf is certainly desirable. Many users should not be aware that sensitive data is easily stored there. In addition, the clipboard in Apple systems works across devices in the default: what is copied on the iPhone also ends up in the clipboard of your own Mac, if it is nearby.

Mac user annoyed by warndialogen

It remains open how well the implementation is. Users have long been confronted with a growing number of warndial fan in MacOS, which some are reminiscent of Windows Vista and quickly annoying in everyday use. Beginners are rather unsettled, professionals are annoyed. The expansion of the data protection functions for the iOS intermediate shelf was accompanied by a constant fire of warndial fan at practically every copy and paste process, Apple had to improve several times. Ultimately, users can use the settings for each app to determine how their access options are on the clipboard.