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Troubleshooting macOS Device Control and Data Access (previously Security & Privacy in Accessibility)

Updated

Operating system: macOS

Products: Synergy 1, Synergy 3

Introduction

Occasionally the macOS Device Control and Data Access (previously Security & Privacy in Accessibility) settings will break and fail silently without showing a macOS error code (e.g. when a macOS update is installed). Your settings may look fine, but could actually be broken.

When macOS enters this broken state, it causes Synergy to mysteriously stop working, often with “Error code 11”. This error code typically means that the entry for Synergy under the macOS Device Control and Data Access (previously Security & Privacy in Accessibility) settings has become invalid.

macOS 27 Golden Gate and later

macOS Accessibility Security & Privacy settings
macOS 27 Golden Gate Privacy & Security settings for Device Control and Data Access

To find these settings on macOS 27 Golden Gate and later:

  1. Click the Apple icon (top left)
  2. Click System Settings
  3. Click Privacy & Security
  4. Click Device Control and Data Access

macOS 26 Tahoe and earlier

macOS Privacy & Security settings for Accessibility (Privacy)

To find these settings on macOS 26 Tahoe and earlier:

  1. Click the Apple icon (top left)
  2. Click System Settings
  3. Click Security & Privacy
  4. Click Accessibility
  5. Click the Privacy tab

Troubleshooting steps

If the Synergy entry is not enabled in the Device Control and Data Access or Accessibility settings, enable it and then restart Synergy.

If Synergy still isn't working after trying that:

  1. Quit the Synergy app (top right menu icon)
  2. Device Control and Data Access or Accessibility settings
  3. On older macOS versions, unlock the preference pane
  4. Remove Synergy from the list
  5. Open the Synergy app

If the problem is still not resolved after doing this, you may need to uninstall Synergy, remove the Device Control and Data Access or Accessibility entry for Synergy, reboot, and then reinstall Synergy.

  1. Quit the Synergy app
  2. Delete Synergy from your Applications folder
  3. Go to Device Control and Data Access or Accessibility
  4. Remove Synergy from the list
  5. Reboot your Mac
  6. Install Synergy again
  7. Open the Synergy app

One last thing to try before getting in touch with us...

Warning: Only attempt this last step if you are familiar with the Terminal app.

Try running the following command from the Terminal app:

sudo tccutil reset Accessibility

Still not working? Please contact us for help.

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