In macOS, managing user permissions is an essential task for ensuring system security and proper access control. Unlike some other operating systems, macOS does not have a direct command called resetUserPermissions. However, macOS provides robust tools and commands that allow you to manage and reset user permissions effectively. This article will guide you through the process of managing user permissions in macOS using Terminal commands and system utilities.

Examples:

1. Resetting Home Folder Permissions: If you need to reset the permissions of a user's home folder, you can use the diskutil command. This is particularly useful if permissions have become corrupted or misconfigured.

   sudo diskutil resetUserPermissions / `id -u`

   This command resets the user permissions for the home directory of the currently logged-in user.

2. Repairing Disk Permissions: While macOS Sierra and later versions do not have a direct option to repair disk permissions via Disk Utility, you can still use the fsck command in Single User Mode to check and repair the filesystem.

   • Restart your Mac and hold down Command (⌘) + S to enter Single User Mode.

   • At the command prompt, type:

     /sbin/fsck -fy

   • This command will check and repair the filesystem. Once completed, type reboot to restart your Mac.

3. Using chmod and chown: For more granular control over file and directory permissions, you can use the chmod and chown commands.

   • To change the owner of a file or directory:

     sudo chown username:groupname /path/to/file_or_directory

   • To change the permissions of a file or directory:

     chmod 755 /path/to/file_or_directory

     Here, 755 is an example of permission settings where the owner has full access, and others have read and execute permissions.

4. Using dscl for Directory Services: The dscl command can be used to manage user accounts and permissions at a more advanced level.

   • To list all users:

     dscl . list /Users

   • To change a user's password:

     sudo dscl . -passwd /Users/username newpassword