What is App Background Activity and Why It Matters
Starting with macOS Sonoma, Apple added a privacy control under System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions called App Background Activity. When you flip this on for an app, you’re telling macOS it’s OK for that app’s helper processes to run small tasks after you close the app—for example, checking for updates, posting alerts, or preparing services Disk Drill needs to work smoothly.
Why Disk Drill asks for it
- Ensures Disk Drill’s lightweight background helpers can run when needed.
- Improves reliability for device S.M.A.R.T. detection and notifications
How to Allow App Background Activity for Disk Drill
On your first launch of Disk Drill you’ll complete a one‑time permissions setup. Disk Drill includes a simple setup wizard to guide you. The first step is enabling App Background Activity:
- In the “Disk Drill needs some permissions” window click Open Login Items & Extensions.
- Turn Disk Drill.app On (toggle to the right).
- Enter your Mac’s password. That’s it.
How to Grant Full Disk Access to Disk Drill
The final step is to grant Disk Drill Full Disk Access (FDA). macOS protects certain areas of your drive—like Mail, Messages, Time Machine backups, and some system folders—behind this permission. Data recovery apps need FDA to scan those protected locations and recover as much data as possible (see our deeper explanation in this article).
- In the “Disk Drill needs some permissions” window click Open Security & Privacy
- Find Disk Drill in the list and switch it On.
- Enter your Mac’s password.
- When macOS asks to Quit & Reopen Disk Drill click Later
