XProtect: why is its functionality with respect to full disk access inconsistent from one Mac to another?

Question

XProtect: why is its functionality with respect to full disk access inconsistent from one Mac to another?

I recently had occasion to look at "full disk access" in my settings and saw there was an entry for XProtect, which I had not previously noted (tho I hadn't checked the full disk access settings in awhile). The toggle switch was in the off position. I asked four friends who are all on Sonoma 14.1.1 to check this out on their computers, and also called Apple and spoke with a second level advisor. The results of my survey: all four friends found XProtect listed in the settings where I did. Three of these found that the toggle switch was Off, as I had, while one found the toggle switch On. NONE OF US EVER DID ANYTHING TO TURN THE TOGGLE SWITCH ON OR OFF. Perhaps even more mysterious, the Apple advisor told me he had two computers in front of him, one on Sonoma and one on Ventura, and that when he checked the "full disk access" setting, XProtect was not even listed. The advisor could not explain the inconsistency, nor seemed particularly concerned about the appearance/non-appearance of the XProtect list entry and about the position of the toggle switch.

I understand that XProtect is Apple's built in malware protection. There have been a few posts on the sudden appearance of XProtect the "full disk access" list in the "off" position going back to last year, but with no definitive answers, so I'm trying again

My questions: (1) should or shouldn't the XProtect toggle switch be in the on or off position (and why); (2) why the inconsistency from one computer to the next about whether XProtect even appears an an item in settings that can be changed; (3) why the inconsistency in the default position of the toggle switch for those of us who found XProtect listed; and (4) why would Apple even want to include this as something users can turn on or off with respect to full disk access, as intuitively it would seem like they should set it to the way it should be and not provide users access to change it, with the possible exception of beta testers.

I would also encourage anyone who has similar questions to please tell apple in the Apple.com/feedback, so that maybe they will post something "official" about this on their website. And maybe fix the inconsistencies.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Nov 27, 2023 7:28 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

leroydouglas

Community+ 2025

Level 10

198,768 points

Nov 27, 2023 9:24 PM in response to LeftoverUserName

LeftoverUserName wrote:

I recently had occasion to look at "full disk access" in my settings and saw there was an entry for XProtect, which I had not previously noted (tho I hadn't checked the full disk access settings in awhile).

My questions: (1) should or shouldn't the XProtect toggle switch be in the on or off position

I would also encourage anyone who has similar questions to please tell apple in the Apple.com/feedback, so that maybe they will post something "official" about this on their website. And maybe fix the inconsistencies.

There is little to none —documentation per Apple.

When this was first introduced all your question were asked— and still no documentation.

Why not turn it on if you have the option?

In my Sonoma install it was on, but maybe because I flipped the switch to on when it first became available.

Macs built in Security uses these to combat malware, not advised to dismiss these defaults.

Gatekeeper mechanism, central to security services, which tries to ensure that any code loaded is ‘safe’. Code signatures are only part of this.

XProtect checks the security and integrity of files, including in broader ways too, vulnerable document types, such as JPEG images, are also screened to ensure that they’re not malicious.

MRT (Malware Removal Tool) an app which often complements XProtect’s signature-based screening, and can automatically remove all traces of many different species of malware.

SIP (System Integrity Protection) which ensures that nothing can tamper with key system files, or even Apple’s bundled apps.

ref: macOS - Security - Apple

macOS - Security - Apple

ref: Apple Platform Security - Apple

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

May 2022 update

https://help.apple.com/pdf/security/en_US/apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

About background updates in macOS

About background updates in macOS - Apple Support

You will have to file / submit your own Apple feedback/request here: http://www.apple.com/feedback

Xprotect is updated in the background with no notice or user interaction required—

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Answer 2

Nov 28, 2023 10:31 AM in response to LeftoverUserName

Thank you for your informative reply. If I understand correctly, it sounds like XProtect should always be granted full disk access. But...it still is not clear why the inconsistency about whether XProtect is even displayed in the full disk access list among my small sample group of 7 computers (including the 2 computers of the Apple advisor with whom I spoke.).

You indicated that full disk access was granted on your own computer and speculate that you might have turned it on at some point. I cannot speak to what you did, but my Mac-savvy friend who also found this turned on was certain that she had not previously touched the toggle switch. So the inconsistency between what she found and my other Mac friends and I found (i.e. the switch turned off) is also baffling.

If you have any additional thoughts, would appreciate hearing them. If not, I again thank you for the reply you posted. While not directly answering my questions (which possibly are unanswerable except by the Apple engineers tasked with working on XProtect), it was still highly informative.

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Answer 3

Gemeos

Level 1

8 points

May 25, 2024 3:59 AM in response to LeftoverUserName

It would be interesting to know if you upgraded to Sonoma from Ventura or if you did a clean install.

Maybe upgrading the OS keeps some settings from the previous one, and Sonoma keeps XProtect's full disk access setting OFF, while a clean install sets it to ON. I don't know, just a guess. In my case, I recently upgraded from Ventura to Sonoma 14.5, and XProtect's full disk access is OFF

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Answer 4

Owl-53

Level 10

102,379 points

May 25, 2024 5:42 AM in response to Gemeos

Have 1 M1 upgraded from macOS 11 to macOS 12 to macOS 13 and now macOS 14.5 - XProtect is switched Off

Have a M2 upgraded from macOS 13 to macOS 14.5 - XProtect is switched On

Have a M3 upDated from macOS 14.3 to latest 14.5 - XProtect is Not Listed

No rhyme, no reason I can see

The important factor being covered by earlier posting from @leroydouglas regarding

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