macOS Privacy & Security Requirements (10.15 Catalina and higher)

PokerTracker 4 version 4.15.13
October 3, 2023
  • Introduction

    macOS 10.15 Catalina introduces additional security requirements which affect PokerTracker 4.
    These security permissions are required for proper import and Hud operation.

    In order to be able to import your hand histories as you play PokerTracker 4 needs access to the folders where these are saved - specifically the Documents and Downloads folders.

    For the Hud to be able to track the poker site windows and place a Hud on them PokerTracker 4 needs access to Screen Recording and Accessibility.

    Note: PokerTracker 4 does NOT actually record your screen - this permission is required in order to be able to locate the poker site table windows and overlay the Hud.

    App Management permission is also required for Hud to work properly on PokerStars Zoom tables. 

  • Enabling Privacy & Security Settings when first running PT4 on macOS

    When PokerTracker 4 is first run on macOS 10.15 Catalina (or higher) it will display the following message and then trigger the required Privacy & Security requests before closing down.

    Once you have enabled the required permissions please run PokerTracker 4 again.

    You will be asked to allow access to the Documents and Downloads folders, which sites use to store hand histories.  Please click OK for each of these.

    Following this you will be asked to allow Screen Recording.  (PokerTracker 4 DOES NOT actually record your screen - this permission is required in order to be able to locate the poker site table windows and overlay the Hud.)

    Please click Open System Settings and toggle on the checkbox next to PokerTracker 4 in the Privacy & Security window when it opens.

    Do the same for the Accessibility permission and if you play Zoom at PokerStars also for the App Management permission.

    Once these permissions are enabled launch PokerTracker 4 again.

  • Resetting permissions

    If you are experiencing issues with PokerTracker 4, it could be due to problems with permissions, in which case resetting them is likely to help.

    To reset the permissions, first remove PokerTracker 4 from all Privacy & Security permissions it has. Make sure to remove each permission by selecting PokerTracker 4 and clicking the minus button (do not just disable it).

    There are 5 sections within Privacy & Security where PokerTracker 4 should have a permission:

    • Accessibility
    • Files & Folders
    • Screen Recording
    • Automation (it might not be possible to remove the permission here, which is OK)
    • App Management (only required if you play at PokerStars and have the Zoom Hud enabled)

    After removing these permissions, run PokerTracker 4 again. It should now ask you to allow the permissions. Click OK to allow access to the Documents and Download folders. For permissions that offer to open System Settings, click that button and then enable the permission.

    When you enable the first permission, you will see two messages - one is PokerTracker 4 asking for the next permission and the other is the privacy settings asking to Quit & Reopen PokerTracker 4.
    Click Quit & Reopen first, and then enable the other permission(s).

  • If the Hud doesn't appear after updating PT4

    If the Hud does not appear after you update to a new PokerTracker 4 version on macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher, you may need to re-enable the Screen Recording permission.

    To do this close PokerTracker 4 down and then open the System Settings window on your Mac.
    Click on the Privacy & Security tab and select the Screen Recording option.  (PokerTracker 4 DOES NOT actually record your screen - this permission is required in order to be able to locate the poker site table windows and overlay the Hud.)

    Toggle off the checkbox next to PokerTracker 4 and then toggle it on again.

    Restart PokerTracker 4.

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