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How to Manage macOS Notifications for Time Doctor Automatic App Version

 

Note: Automatic App (macOS) is available on all Time Doctor plans and installation/MDM deployment can be accessed by Owners & Admins.

 

TL;DR
 
macOS shows new privacy and background-activity notifications for the Time Doctor Automatic App. Keep compliance and transparency while minimizing user disruption by
  • granting the required Accessibility and Screen & System Audio Recording permissions
  • adjusting notification behavior via MDM (where allowed by Apple policies)
  • communicating policy and monitoring practices to users.
 
This guide details the macOS notifications and permissions required by the Time Doctor Automatic App and explains how to adjust alert settings via Mobile Device Management (MDM) while maintaining compliance and transparency.
 

 

Key Changes in macOS

Apple has increased transparency around privacy and background items. After installing and running the Automatic App, macOS presents permission prompts and background-activity notices.
 
 

Notification Alerts & PermissionsScreen & System Audio Recording

  • In the permission pop‑up, select Open System Settings.
  • Go to Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording.
  • Turn SFProc ON (the Automatic App helper appears as SFProc on recent macOS versions).

    SFProc screen & audio permission notification

    SFProc screen recording

 

Background Items Notifications

  • macOS displays notices when apps or services run in the background. These help maintain user control over resources and privacy.

    SFProc background app notification


Accessibility Permission Required

  • When time tracking starts, a permission prompt appears.
  • Select Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
  • Turn SFProc ON.

    SFProc Security & Privacy preferences notification

    SFProc accessibility

Privacy Notification (Screenshots)

  • If Screenshots are enabled for a user, macOS notifies when the application captures the screen.

    SFProc privacy notification

 

Video Continuous Enabled

  • If continuous video recording is enabled by company policy, macOS displays a notification indicating that the screen is being recorded.

    SFProc Screen capturing notification

 

Impact on the Automatic App

  • Users are informed about background activity that previously ran silently.
  • Organizations may need to update internal communications to set expectations about monitoring and privacy.

 

Manage Notifications via MDM

Organizations using MDM can configure app permissions and adjust alert behavior to reduce unnecessary prompts while maintaining compliance.
 
 

How to Disable or Minimize Notifications with MDM

  1. Sign in to the organization’s MDM console.
  2. Open the application management or configuration profiles section.
  3. Select Time Doctor Automatic App (helper may be listed as SFProc / env depending on macOS version).
  4. Configure profiles to pre‑grant Accessibility and Screen & System Audio Recording permissions and, where supported, suppress non‑essential notifications related to screen/audio capture.
  5. Deploy the updated profile to all targeted macOS devices to ensure consistent behavior.

 

Compliance & Transparency
 
Always respect applicable laws and company policies. Even when minimizing prompts, maintain transparency by documenting the existence and purpose of monitoring. Consider notifying users ahead of deployment.

 

ConsiderationsUser Awareness

  • Maintain open communication about the presence and purpose of the Automatic App and any screen or audio capture settings that may trigger macOS notifications.

 

Ongoing Improvements

  • Time Doctor continues to optimize the experience for non‑MDM environments while adhering to Apple’s transparency requirements.

 

 

 


Should there be any inconsistencies or concerns regarding the article, contact support@timedoctor.com for prompt assistance.