Dontallow: Open-Source macOS Tool Auto-Dismisses Local Network Dialogs

macOS 15 Sequoia and later repeatedly show the “Allow [application] to find devices on local networks?” permission dialog even after users indicate a preference. The system ties this permission to application file paths, which causes the setting to reset. Browsers like Chrome randomize their bundle locations during launch to survive in-place updates, triggering a path change that resets the permission. Apps with versioned installation directories similarly generate new permission requests on each update. Currently there’s no administrative mechanism to pre-configure or clear these settings.

Dontallow automatically dismisses these dialogs by simulating a button press within a fraction of a second. It runs as a per-user system agent with zero CPU overhead at idle, requires only Accessibility permission, and survives reboots. The implementation consists of two Swift files with no external dependencies and builds using standard Apple Command Line Tools on both Intel and Apple Silicon hardware.

For users who legitimately require local network discovery—media players handling Chromecast or AirPlay discovery, games with LAN multiplayer, or printer and scanner utilities—dontallow includes an allowlist feature and temporary pause functionality. Each dismissal generates a system notification displaying the application name and pause instructions. Organizations can sign the binary with a Developer ID and distribute it alongside privacy settings profiles for per-user installation without manual configuration. The tool only dismisses prompts; it never modifies system files, disables protections, or grants the permission.