The following instructions are for macOS Monterey (12) and Big Sur (11).
These instructions will also work for Catalina and we have separate instructions for Mojave or High Sierra. However, we do not recommend use of these versions of macOS because they are no longer receiving security updates. Please consider upgrading to a supported version.
Summary
- Install McAfee
- Grant Full Disk Access to McAfee components
- Enable McAfee now that security access has been granted
Download and install
![]() |
Download and install McAfee anti-malware software for Mac. |
Enable full disk access
macOS has additional protections for applications accessing user data. McAfee Endpoint Protection requires Full Disk Access privileges to function correctly.
Open System Preferences, Security & Privacy and choose the Privacy tab.
Click the Padlock and enter your Mac username and password.
Select the Full Disk Access category and click +.
In the navigation dialogue box press Command + Shift + G to bring up the 'Go to the folder' window.
Type in /usr/local/McAfee/fmp/bin64/fmpd and press Go.
Ensure fmpd is highlighted and click Open.
Repeat steps 3-6 with the following paths:
1 | /Applications/McAfee Endpoint Security for Mac.app |
2 | /usr/local/McAfee/AntiMalware/VShieldScanner |
3 | /usr/local/McAfee/AntiMalware/VShieldScanManager.app |
If required, tick the box alongside all added items and close System Preferences.
Enable threat protection
Now all of the pre-requisites have been met, you can enable McAfee.
Open McAfee Endpoint Security from the Applications menu.
Choose Preferences from the McAfee Endpoint Security menu.
Click the padlock to enable changes.
Set Threat Prevention to On.
Uninstall the software
If you wish to uninstall McAfee software because you're experiencing problems or want to perform a fresh reinstallation, download and run this package.
![]() |
McAfee uninstaller |
Hotfixes
We recommend installing the latest hotfix:
![]() |
There are currently no hotfixes |