---
title: "You said no to a permission and need to undo it"
description: "Grant a permission after refusing it, including the case where macOS reports it as granted and recording still captures nothing. Granting them the first time is a separate page."
updated: "2026-10-09"
canonical: https://docs.recordstead.app/troubleshooting/permissions-were-refused
---

# You said no to a permission and need to undo it

macOS asks for the microphone exactly once. Say no and the prompt never returns,
so the only way back is System Settings. System Audio Recording is never asked
for in advance at all, which means a refusal shows up as a recording with
nothing on the other side rather than as a dialog you can answer again.

## Put it right

1. Open **Settings** (⌘,) and select **Advanced**.
2. In the **Permissions** section, find the row that does not read **Granted**.

   If **System Audio Recording** reads
   **Required. macOS asks the first time you record a call.**, Recordstead has
   not recorded since it last opened, so the row cannot tell yet. Make a short
   test recording, then check again.
3. If it reads **Denied. Click to open System Settings.**, click
   **Open System Settings** in that row. Recordstead opens the matching pane in
   System Settings for you.
4. Switch Recordstead on there.
5. Come back to Recordstead. The **Microphone** row updates as soon as
   Recordstead regains focus. The **System Audio Recording** row keeps its last
   result until your next recording starts.

For the **Microphone**, the pane is System Settings › Privacy & Security ›
Microphone.


For **System Audio Recording**, use the row's **Open System Settings** button
rather than looking for the pane yourself.

## When it says Granted and the other side is still silent

**System Audio Recording** reads **Granted** once a recording has started
capturing. If the other side is still silent, switch Recordstead off for System
Audio Recording in System Settings › Privacy & Security, switch it back on, and
make a short test recording. If this happens straight after an update, tell
support.

## Result

The **Microphone** row reads **Granted**, and after your next recording starts,
so does **System Audio Recording**. That recording has both sides in it.

## Related

- [Give Recordstead permission to record](https://docs.recordstead.app/getting-started/permissions)
- [The recording is silent, or only one side is there](https://docs.recordstead.app/troubleshooting/no-audio-was-captured)
- [Support](https://recordstead.app/support)
- [Ask for something that is missing](https://recordstead.app/support#ideas-and-missing-features)