Help › Permissions
Permissions
Looking up words in other apps needs macOS permissions. If you only search in the main window, you need none.
Which features need which permission
| Feature | Permission |
|---|---|
| Lookup shortcut (⌃⌥D) | Accessibility |
| Hover with a modifier key | Accessibility |
| Copying with ⌘C in apps where the selection can’t be read directly | Accessibility |
| Text inside images and screenshots | Screen Recording |
The text these permissions read is used on your Mac only to look up words. See the privacy policy.
Turn on Accessibility
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Go to Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
- Turn on RealDict. If it isn’t listed, add it with the + button.
Turn on Screen Recording
- Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Open Screen & System Audio Recording. Depending on your macOS version, it is called Screen Recording.
- Turn on RealDict.
After you change a permission, macOS may ask you to reopen the app. If it does, quit RealDict and open it again.
Dictionary files in another app’s folder
If your dictionary files are stored in another app’s folder, RealDict needs macOS permission to read them. When loading takes longer than 8 seconds, RealDict explains that it is waiting for macOS permission and shows a Retry button.
- If a prompt says RealDict “would like to access data from other apps”, choose Allow.
- If no prompt appears, move the dictionary files to another folder, such as Documents, and add them again.
Then press Retry to load the dictionaries again.
What works without any permission
- Searching in the main window, vocabulary, study and Anki export