Apps in Privacy Settings Grayed Out

Hello DHuitema,

It looks like you're having an issue accessing Files and Folders for the Zoom app in your System Preferences. We'd be glad to take a look into this with you.

We'd like to have you try to start your Mac in safe mode to help with isolating this issue that you've been experiencing.

How to use safe mode on your Mac

Let us know those this goes. Also, you mentioned that you have put in your password to unlock these settings. Are you seeing any type of an error when you input the password?

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

What is it that is not working?

To be able to share your screen in a zoom meeting you also have to give Zoom permission in System Preferences->Security & Privacy->Privacy->Screen Recording. Could that be what is missing?

Also, “Full Disk Access” means access to all files and folders, so it subsumes settings for individual files or folders; that is why they appeared in grey. With Full Disk Access you had already given access to Documents, Desktop and more.

Did you unlock the padlock at the bottom of the preference pane first?

That is perfectly normal.

Look closely: the apps that appear greyed out in "Files and Folders" also say "Full Disk Access".

Since you have given them Full Disk Access, there is nothing left to configure in this more restricted panel.

Is that a personal account or an organization's SSO account?

In case of doubt: SSO is when you use an account by your organization (like university or company) and login with your organization's credencials.

I use Zoom with SSO through the university at which I teach. This is a Pro account, but with a certain limit of concurrent licenses. So it is possible that at some point the number of people connected through this account reaches the number of available licenses and then if more people connect they get Basic mode.

Sometimes, after a while, I see that although I'm visibly signed in with a Pro account, privileges seem to be declined, as if I were in a Basic account - the most obvious sign being meetings cut off after 40 minutes. On those occasions, usually by clicking the account and choosing Sign Out, and then logging in again, it is resolved.

This seems to happen more in my afternoon, and it may be related to the issue above.

I am afraid that I can't help with the virtual backgrounds. I have a few but never use them, as I feel that unless the user has a green screen, it is just not worth it. Zoom tries admirably, but the results are still poor, and I don't blame them. I don't want parts of my head to disappear, or my arms to be invisible when I do handwaving.

I just tried it now. I don't remember having to download anything, and I did use (if only as an experiment) virtual background before. It did ask me if I wanted to download the Virtual Background Package, I clicked Download and it did not even asked for any password...

As I said above, it is all quite normal - and Zoom ALREADY has Full Disk Access, so there is nothing you need to do.

You need to click on the Full Disk Access or the Files and Folders before the detail for those are shown.

In your screenshot it doesn't look like you've selected either of those areas.