On a Mac, CoPilot Interview asks for two macOS permissions: Microphone, so it can hear you, and Screen Recording (called Screen & System Audio Recording on current macOS), which the app says it needs “for screenshots and system-audio capture”. It doesn't ask for Accessibility. Granting both doesn't by itself guarantee the app hears the interviewer; its audio check and captions tell you whether it does, and what to install if it doesn't.
CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant for macOS 12 or later and Windows. This page explains only the Mac permission prompts; to install the app first, see how to install CoPilot Interview on a Mac.
The permissions at a glance
| Permission | Why the app asks (its own wording) | If it's off |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | “CoPilot Interview needs microphone access to capture interview audio for real-time transcription and AI-powered answer generation.” | Listening doesn't start, and the app shows “Microphone permission is required” with an Open Settings button |
| Screen Recording | “CoPilot Interview needs screen recording access to capture interview questions displayed on screen and provide AI-powered solutions.” | Screenshots and Read screen can't capture; the app's notice says the permission is also needed for system-audio capture |
| Accessibility | Not requested | Nothing to set |
What happens the first time you open the app
- macOS asks for Microphone access. Click Allow.
- The app triggers macOS's Screen Recording prompt at launch. macOS doesn't let an app switch this on by itself, so you turn it on in System Settings.
- If Screen Recording is still off, the app shows: “Screen Recording permission required — System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording → enable CoPilot Interview, then fully quit (Cmd+Q) and relaunch. Needed for screenshots and system-audio capture.”
- Click Open Settings on that notice to jump to the right pane, turn on CoPilot Interview, press Command-Q and open the app again.
Change them later
Both switches live in System Settings → Privacy & Security: one under Microphone, one under Screen Recording (Screen & System Audio Recording on current macOS). A Screen Recording change takes effect only after you quit the app fully, with Command-Q or Quit CoPilot Interview from its menu-bar icon, and reopen it.
If CoPilot Interview isn't in the Screen Recording list, open the app once from Applications: it triggers the prompt at launch, which adds it to the list.
Hearing the interviewer: Screen Recording and BlackHole
For live help the app records two sources: your microphone, and your Mac's audio output, which carries the interviewer's voice in a call. The app's own notice ties Screen Recording to system-audio capture, but on a Mac that permission alone doesn't guarantee the app hears your Mac's audio. The app tells you which case you're in:
- Audio check on the setup screen: “Live · mic + meeting audio” means both sources are heard. “Live · mic only (no meeting audio on this system)” means only your microphone is, and the second meter reads “no audio”.
- Captions during a session: “● REC MIC+SYS” means both. “● REC MIC” with “macOS: Install BlackHole for system audio capture. Mic recording active.” means the app hears only your microphone, and it names BlackHole, a third-party virtual audio driver, as the fix.
Follow the notice the app shows on your Mac: the Mac app's audio setup screen tells you which permission or audio driver it needs; follow it. The app doesn't include a BlackHole setup guide; email support@copilotinterview.com if you need help. Mock Interview records only your microphone, so practice works either way. For background on why capturing a computer's audio is tricky, read how AI interview assistants capture system audio.
What these permissions send, and what stays on your Mac
The privacy policy says the app sends only the content each request needs, for example a short audio segment, a screenshot you choose to take, or the text of a question, over an encrypted connection to the company's API proxy. Short audio segments go through that server to the speech-to-text provider and are discarded after transcription. Interview audio, transcripts, screenshots and answers aren't stored on the company's servers.
Your session files stay on your Mac in Documents › CoPilot Interview › Sessions. The privacy policy has the full list of providers and what each one receives.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| The notice keeps appearing after you turned Screen Recording on | Quit fully with Command-Q and reopen the app |
| Only one screen shows when you pin a screen | Grant Screen Recording in System Settings → Privacy & Security, then relaunch |
| No 🎤 Mic / 🔇 Muted button | Expected: that button appears only on Windows |
| Captions show “● REC MIC” in a call | The app isn't capturing your Mac's audio; follow its BlackHole notice |
For the wider Mac setup, see our Mac install and permissions guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an interview app need Screen Recording?
To read questions shown on screen when you take a screenshot or use Read screen, and, according to the app's own notice, for system-audio capture. Screenshots are sent only when you take one.
Is Screen Recording enough for the app to hear Zoom or Teams?
Not necessarily. Check the audio check's status line and the captions. If they say mic only and the app shows its BlackHole notice, it isn't hearing your Mac's audio yet.
Does CoPilot Interview need Accessibility permission?
No. It asks only for Microphone and Screen Recording.
Which permission does Mock Interview need?
Mock Interview records only your microphone, so the Microphone permission is the one it needs.
Practice this interview before the real one
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