# Allow permissions on Mac — PPTControl

Original guide: https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=mac-permissions

Fix presentation control, notes, and PowerPoint preview access.

Looking for Windows? [View the Windows guide →](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=windows-firewall)

## 1. Allow control of your Mac

This permission lets PPTControl Desktop send keyboard and mouse input to your presentation.

### Open Privacy & Security

On your Mac, open the **Apple menu → System Settings**. In the sidebar, choose **Privacy & Security**. Scroll the sidebar if you do not see it.

### Open the control permission

Scroll the list on the right and choose **Device Control and Data Access** on macOS 27. On earlier macOS versions, choose **Accessibility**.

### Enable PPTControl Desktop

Turn on **PPTControl Desktop**. Authenticate if macOS asks.

**App missing?** Click **+**, select PPTControl Desktop from Applications, then click Open.

If prompted, choose **Quit & Reopen**; otherwise quit and reopen PPTControl Desktop yourself.

## 2. Allow Bluetooth access

Follow these steps when connecting over Bluetooth. Select your computer inside PPTControl after allowing access.

For Wi-Fi or a hotspot, [continue to presentation-app permissions →](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=mac-permissions#step-3)

### Open Bluetooth permissions

Return to **Privacy & Security** in System Settings. Scroll the list on the right and choose **Bluetooth**.

### Allow PPTControl Desktop to use Bluetooth

Turn on **PPTControl Desktop** in the Bluetooth app list.

## 3. Choose your presentation app and allow Automation

In PPTControl Desktop, select PowerPoint or Keynote as the **Presenter App**. Follow its setup to allow control of that application.

### Open the macOS permission prompt

In **Allow presentation control**, click **Continue to macOS Prompt**.

### Allow presentation control

In the macOS prompt, click **Allow** so PPTControl Desktop can control your presentation app. The screenshot shows Microsoft PowerPoint.

After clicking **Allow**, [continue to the next step →](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=mac-permissions#step-4).

Google Slides does not use the PowerPoint/Keynote Automation permission.

### Access not granted during setup?

Only use these steps if you clicked **Don’t Allow** or access to your presentation app is still disabled.

#### Open Automation

Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security**. Scroll the list on the right and choose **Automation**.

#### Allow your presentation app

Click the arrow beside **PPTControl Desktop** to expand it. Turn on **Microsoft PowerPoint**, or **Keynote** if that is the app you use. The screenshot shows PowerPoint enabled.

**Entry missing?** Open your presentation app and try controlling it from PPTControl again to trigger the permission request.

## 4. Prepare PowerPoint slide previews

This lets PowerPoint prepare preview images locally. Already allowed access? Continue to the next step. Keynote and Google Slides skip this preparation.

### Start preparing previews

In the desktop setup, open **Prepare PowerPoint slide previews** and click **Prepare Now**.

### Open PowerPoint’s folder picker

Click **Select…** if PowerPoint asks for file access.

### Grant access to SlidesData

Keep **SlidesData** selected and click **Grant Access**.

**Prompt missing?** Check behind other windows when PPTControl is waiting for previews. If you skipped preparation, grant access when PowerPoint asks during a presentation.

## 5. Test your connection

Open your slideshow again and test a slide change.

For **Wi-Fi or a hotspot**, allow **Local Network** on your **phone or tablet** if asked. [Check phone permissions →](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=phone-permissions)

The current Mac QR connection normally does not need a separate **Local Network** permission. If macOS asks for it, allow access. To change a previous decision on macOS 15 or later, open **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network**. If PPTControl Desktop is not listed, you can continue.

[Buttons still do nothing?](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=no-control) · [Only previews are missing?](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=slide-previews)

Apple’s instructions: [Accessibility access](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mh43185/mac) · [Automation](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchl108e1718/mac) · [Local Network](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchla4f49138/mac).

[Contact support](https://pptcontrol.app/Help?guide=contact)