Arq Permission Requirements on macOS

The backup engine inside Arq, ArqAgent, needs Full Disk Access to do its job. Without it, parts of Arq will not work correctly.

Why ArqAgent needs Full Disk Access

ArqAgent is the process that actually reads your files and uploads them to your storage location. macOS protects many directories under the user’s home folder (Photos, Contacts, Calendars, Mail, Messages, etc.) behind the Full Disk Access permission. Without it, ArqAgent can’t read those files and will report errors during backup.

ArqAgent also registers file-change notifications (FSEvents) so that subsequent backups are fast — only changed files need to be examined. FSEvents on protected folders also require Full Disk Access.

Granting Full Disk Access

In System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access, make sure “Arq” is listed and turned on.

If it’s missing, click the “+” button, navigate to /Applications, and add Arq.app.

For MSP / MDM deployments

If you deploy Arq via JAMF, Kandji, Mosyle, Intune, or any other MDM, your PPPC (Privacy Preferences Policy Control) payload must grant SystemPolicyAllFiles to ArqAgent: