Permissions and setup
Understand what access is needed and grant it deliberately.
Reviewed 6 October 2026 · 2 min read
Two layers of access
Helios access settings and operating-system permissions are separate. Full access in Helios does not bypass Windows administrator prompts or macOS privacy controls.
Screen capture, Accessibility, microphone, camera, files and notifications have different purposes. Availability varies by device and version.
Set up a capability
- Open Settings and find computer access or permission setup. Read each capability’s explanation.
- On Mac, use the setup helper when available to locate the correct app/helper, then enable it in the matching System Settings privacy category.
- On Windows, approve an administrator prompt only when it matches the installation or feature change you requested.
- Retry one small action. Restart the app if the OS requires it.
Try this
Check which permissions are missing for taking a screenshot and clicking a button on this Mac. Explain the exact permission needed and help me find the correct app entry.
Check the result
- The screenshot shows the intended monitor/window.
- Input acts on the intended application.
- A denial produces an explanation instead of repeated attempts.
Common blockers
A locked desktop can prevent interaction even when Helios is online. Unlock it before a visual test.
Do not grant permission to an unrelated binary with a similar name. Use the actual installed app/helper location.
When Windows does not list Helios
Helios is a desktop app. Camera and microphone access may use the shared Let desktop apps access switch rather than a Helios-specific switch. Use Test access after enabling the desktop-app switch. The test stops immediately and records or uploads nothing.
Helios repairs its Start Menu notification identity on launch and before sending a test. Windows may list it only after the first notification. Focus and device policy can still suppress banners; confirm whether you saw the test.