---
title: Enable Elastic Defend access on macOS
description: To properly install and configure Elastic Defend manually without a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile, there are additional permissions that must...
url: https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/5399/solutions/security/configure-elastic-defend/enable-access-for-macos
products:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless
  - Elastic Security
applies_to:
  - Serverless Security projects: Generally available
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available
---

# Enable Elastic Defend access on macOS
To properly install and configure Elastic Defend manually without a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile, there are additional permissions that must be enabled on the host before Elastic Endpoint—the installed component that performs Elastic Defend's threat monitoring and prevention—is fully functional:
- [Approve the system extension](#system-extension-endpoint)
- [Approve network content filtering](#allow-filter-content)
- [Enable Full Disk Access](#enable-fda-endpoint)

<note>
  The following permissions that need to be enabled are required after you [configure and install the Elastic Defend integration](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/5399/solutions/security/configure-elastic-defend/install-elastic-defend), which includes [enrolling the Elastic Agent](/elastic/docs-content/pull/5399/solutions/security/configure-elastic-defend/install-elastic-defend#enroll-security-agent).
</note>


## Approve the system extension for Elastic Endpoint

Elastic Endpoint will attempt to load a system extension during installation. This system extension must be loaded in order to provide insight into system events such as process events, file system events, and network events. A message prompting you to approve the system extension appears during installation.
Select your macOS version to view specific steps for your system.
<tab-set>
  <tab-item title="Sequoia (15.x) and later">
    1. Click **Open System Settings**.
    2. In the **General** pane, click **Login Items & Extensions**.
    3. In the **Login Items & Extensions** pane, scroll down to the **Extensions** section. Click the info icon next to **Endpoint Security Extensions** and toggle `ElasticEndpoint`.
    4. Enter your username and password and click **OK** to save your changes.
  </tab-item>

  <tab-item title="Ventura (13.x) and Sonoma (14.x)">
    1. Click **Open System Settings**.
    2. In the left pane, click **Privacy & Security**.
    3. In the right pane, scroll down to the **Security** section. Click **Allow** to allow the `ElasticEndpoint` system extension to load.
    4. Enter your username and password and click **Modify Settings** to save your changes.
  </tab-item>

  <tab-item title="Monterey (12.x)">
    1. Click **Open Security Preferences**.
    2. In the lower-left corner of the **Security & Privacy** pane, click the lock icon, then enter your credentials to authenticate.
    3. Click **Allow** to allow the `ElasticEndpoint` system extension to load.
  </tab-item>
</tab-set>


## Approve network content filtering for Elastic Endpoint

After successfully loading the `ElasticEndpoint` system extension, an additional message appears, asking to allow Elastic Endpoint to filter network content.
Click **Allow** to enable content filtering for the `ElasticEndpoint` system extension. Without this approval, Elastic Endpoint cannot receive network events and, therefore, cannot enable network-related features such as [host isolation](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/5399/solutions/security/endpoint-response-actions/isolate-host).

## Enable Full Disk Access for Elastic Endpoint

Elastic Endpoint requires Full Disk Access to subscribe to system events via the Elastic Defend framework and to protect your network from malware and other cybersecurity threats. Full Disk Access permissions is a privacy feature introduced in macOS Mojave (10.14) that prevents some applications from accessing your data.
To enable Full Disk Access, you must manually approve Elastic Endpoint.
<note>
  To see Full Disk Access requirements for the Endgame sensor, refer to Endgame’s documentation.
</note>

Select your macOS version to view specific steps for your system.
<tab-set>
  <tab-item title="Ventura (13.x) and later">
    If you have not granted Full Disk Access, a notification prompt will appear.

    ### Elastic Endpoint v.8.0.0 and laterThe following instructions apply to Elastic Endpoint version 8.0.0 and later.

    1. Open the **System Settings** application.
    2. In the left pane, select **Privacy & Security**.
    3. From the right pane, select **Full Disk Access**.
    4. Enable `ElasticEndpoint` and `co.elastic` to properly enable Full Disk Access.


    ### Elastic Endpoint v.7.17.0 and earlier

    <applies-to>
      - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Unavailable
    </applies-to>
    In Elastic Stack, if the host is running Elastic Endpoint version 7.17.0 or earlier:
    1. Open the **System Settings** application.
    2. In the left pane, select **Privacy & Security**.
    3. From the right pane, select **Full Disk Access**.
    4. Click the **+** button to view **Finder**. The system may prompt you to enter your username and password if you haven’t already.
    5. Navigate to `/Library/Elastic/Endpoint`, then select the `elastic-endpoint` file, and click **Open**.
    6. In the **Privacy** tab, confirm that `ElasticEndpoint` and `co.elastic.systemextension` are selected to properly enable Full Disk Access.
  </tab-item>

  <tab-item title="Monterey (12.x)">
    ### Elastic Endpoint v.8.0.0 and laterThe following instructions apply to Elastic Endpoint version 8.0.0 and later.

    1. Open the **System Preferences** application.
    2. Select **Security and Privacy**.
    3. On the **Security and Privacy** pane, select the **Privacy** tab.
    4. From the left pane, select **Full Disk Access**.
    5. In the lower-left corner of the pane, click the lock icon, then enter your credentials to authenticate.
    6. In the **Privacy** tab,  confirm that `ElasticEndpoint` AND `co.elastic.systemextension` are selected to properly enable Full Disk Access.


    ### Elastic Endpoint v.7.17.0 and earlier

    <applies-to>
      - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Unavailable
    </applies-to>
    In Elastic Stack, if the host is running Elastic Endpoint version 7.17.0 or earlier:
    1. Open the **System Preferences** application.
    2. Select **Security and Privacy**.
    3. On the **Security and Privacy** pane, select the **Privacy** tab.
    4. From the left pane, select **Full Disk Access**.
    5. In the lower-left corner of the pane, click the lock icon, then enter your credentials to authenticate.
    6. Click the **+** button to view **Finder**.
    7. Navigate to `/Library/Elastic/Endpoint`, then select the `elastic-endpoint` file, and click **Open**.
    8. In the **Privacy** tab, confirm that `elastic-endpoint` AND `co.elastic.systemextension` are selected to properly enable Full Disk Access.
  </tab-item>
</tab-set>