Overview

Privileges is the EIT Service Desk implemented solution for handling privilege escalation for accounts on macOS devices. Users looking for administrative access to their macOS computers should be using Privileges to grant themselves those admin rights. If your computer is eligible per our Support Options Article, Privileges should already be installed on your macOS device. If you believe your computer to be eligible, and you do not have Privileges installed, please contact the EIT Service Desk. 

Using Privileges

Privileges can be accessed via the application with the green lock icon shown below, either in your dock or through launchpad.

Upon opening Privileges, you'll be met with the a window asking if you'd like to request Administrator access. Pressing the "Request privileges" button will grant you Administrator rights.

Upon being granted Administrator access, the Privileges icon will change to a yellow background with an open lock.

Privileges has an internal timer of ten minutes that will start counting down once you've been granted Administrator rights. Once ten minutes has elapsed, it will notify you that the standard procedure is to operate as a standard user whenever possible. You'll be given the option to either extend your Admin session by pressing "Yes", or to move back to a standard user account by pressing "No". If you ignore this message, Privileges will automatically remove Administrative rights from your account five minutes after this message appears.

In the event you encounter any issues with Privileges, please contact the EIT Service Desk via email at eit-help@umd.edu, or via phone at 301-405-1634.