Permissions

MeetCap needs two permissions to record. Microphone lets MeetCap record your side of the meeting. System audio lets it record what this computer plays, including the other side of the meeting. MeetCap uses them only while recording.

If one permission is off, MeetCap records with the other and tells you which part it can’t record. If both are off, recording doesn’t start.

See which permissions are on

When a permission is missing, MeetCap tells you as you start recording, with an Open System Settings button. To check in Terminal, run this command.

meetcap permissions

It only checks, and never asks for a permission. It prints one line for each permission, such as “Microphone: allowed.”

Turn on the microphone

1. Open System Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
2. Click Microphone.
3. Turn on MeetCap.

Turn on system audio

On macOS 15 or later:

1. Open System Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
2. Click Screen & System Audio Recording.
3. Under System Audio Recording Only, turn on MeetCap.

On macOS 14, open System Settings and click Privacy & Security. Find the setting that lists MeetCap, then turn MeetCap on.

If you turn on a permission during a meeting, MeetCap records that part from then on.

If MeetCap isn’t in the list, it hasn’t asked yet. Run meetcap permissions ask, or start a recording, then answer the system prompt.

If nobody answered the prompt

If the system asks while you’re away, recording doesn’t start. MeetCap says “Nobody answered the permission prompt, so recording didn’t start.” Click Allow, answer the prompt, then start again.

In Terminal, run meetcap permissions ask. It waits for your answer for as long as you take.

Why system audio shows “Asked”

After you answer the prompts in first-time setup, System audio can show Asked. This means MeetCap asked, but macOS didn’t let it read your answer. If a recording has no system audio, allow MeetCap in System Settings › Privacy & Security, as in Turn on system audio.