Apple's next version of OS X El Capitan uses something called 'System Integrity Protection' to prevent the alteration of critical system files. As a result, scripted installers and even privileged admin users can no longer change those UNIX file permissions and then modify them. This should make El Capitan more stable and secure. So, while 'Repair Disk Permissions' is gone, that also creates an important issue for users: software upgrades.

The high level explanation for this analysis comes in the public beta release notes under Notes and Known Issues, Other:

Oct 23, 2015  Tags: Disk Utility, OS X El Capitan, OS X permissions, OS X utilities, storage Apple’s Dark Sky weather service for Android will be discontinued on August 1st Thursday, July 2, 2020 12:25 am.

System file permissions are automatically protected, and updated, during Software Updates. The Repair Permissions function is no longer necessary.

This change will generally go unnoticed by most average users except for the absence of that button in /Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.app. A revised, better looking and easier to understand version of Disk Utility comes with El Capitan. However, in some cases, there could be further impact.

System Integrity Protection

This change comes under the umbrella of an OS X El Capitan feature called System Integrity Protection. The overall goal here is to prevent an overly ambitious installer that wants its own way or a piece of malware from altering critical system files and compromising the security or stability of OS X.

Apple has provided a way for developers or expert IT managers to turn SIP off when absolutely necessary, but that's something ordinary users will never learn about nor ever need to do. Developers have access to that information.

As part of the upgrade process, if the El Capitan installer finds unauthorized files in certain protected directories that don't belong there anymore, perhaps from a long forgotten installation, it will delete them. This could lead to some of your important software not operating as expected—or at all.

What this means for the average user is to take inventory of all mission critical apps to make sure they can migrate to El Capitan.

Upgrade Thoughts

Why Doesn't Disk Utility For El Capitan Have Repair Permissions Iphone

Because of the above, it's probably a smart idea, in this author's opinion, to do a clean install of El Capitan and then reinstall just the software, updated for El Capitan, that you need. You can check on compatibility at 'Roaring Apps' or by directly querying the developer's website. I surmise that some software in the Mac App store may need to be modified and may not be able to make the leap.

One question to ask is why Apple didn't do this sooner. The answer is that Apple typically warns developers ahead of time that certain functionality will be deprecated. It gives developers time to react. For example those same release notes state: 'OS X El Capitan is the last major release of OS X that will support the previously deprecated Java 6 runtime and tools provided by Apple.'

Why Doesn't Disk Utility For El Capitan Have Repair Permissions List

The bottom line here is that Repair Disk Permissions is going away because Apple is hardening OS X against alterations to critical system files via System Integrity Protection. The fallout for the customer is that it'll be more important than ever to certify that every critical app used is ready for the migration to El Capitan.

Repairing file permissions has long been a standard practice of many old-time Mac users. Debates have raged about its efficacy, but the bottom line is there's always been a way to do it in Apple's Disk Utility app, and if Apple lets you do it it, it must be okay, right? That changes with Disk Utility in El Capitan. Let's take a look.

S.G. writes:

'I was just shocked by Disk Utility changes. No more verify/repair permissions option or disk? Seems like it has no utility anymore.'

S.G.'s talking about Disk Utility 15, the new version of Disk Utility included with OS X El Capitan. El Capitan was released on September 30, 2015.

El Capitan works with Macs built since 2007, so there's a good chance you're on a Mac that can run it, if you aren't already. There are a lot of productivity and performance enhancements this time around, so make sure to check out Rene's review for more details:

Why Doesn't Disk Utility For El Capitan Have Repair Permissions Mac

Disk Utility is an essential tool in the Utilities folder, but if you've never gone near it, not to worry — many Mac users never do. But if you've had to reformat or repartition a hard drive, mount or create a disc image, repair disk permissions or perform other disk 'first aid,' you have probably opened it.

S.G. noticed that there's no option anymore to verify or repair disk permissions. But that doesn't mean Disk Utility has been hobbled. That's because El Capitan makes some essential changes to the way it handles files.

Manual disk permission repair simply isn't necessary anymore. El Capitan automatically repairs file permissions during software updates and changes. So don't worry that the repair permissions option isn't available in Disk Utility anymore. It's become redundant, thanks to improved file integrity in El Cap.

Honestly, it was an open question if repairing file permissions has had a real benefit, at least for the past few releases of OS X. It was one of those old-school remedies that was offered as a cure-all for all sorts of problems, but rarely actually did anything.

Users of Macs before the modern age may remember 'rebuild your Desktop' as a common troubleshooting refrain. 'Repair disk permissions' has likewise been relegated to the trash-heap of history.

As an aside, Disk Utility looks very different in El Capitan than it did in previous OS X releases. Here's a screenshot of what Disk Utility looked like in Yosemite:

Why Doesn't Disk Utility For El Capitan Have Repair Permissions Free

And here's what it looks like now:

Why Doesn't Disk Utility For El Capitan Have Repair Permissions List

So much of El Capitan's focus has been to improve efficiency and performance. This is evident in Disk Utility, too. The interface has been reworked to be clearer and more straightforward, and the application's functions are all available at the press of a button.

If you have a need to use Disk Utility, feel free to snoop around and check out the changes in El Capitan. You may be impressed by its simplified interface and improved easy of use. If not, don't worry about it. Most of us can continue to use our Macs quite happily without ever messing with it.

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