How to Allow an App Through the Windows or Mac Firewall

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Plus, troubleshoot common firewall permission issues

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: July 22, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Windows
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• Mac
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• Troubleshooting
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• FAQ
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Your firewall protects your computer by limiting what kind of network traffic can go in and out. While a strong firewall is key to keeping your data secure, sometimes it can interfere with your ability to use certain apps. If you get an error message saying an app or game is being blocked by your firewall, don’t worry–it’s usually easy to allow an app through by changing a few simple settings. In this article, we’ll explain how to allow an app through the firewall on your Windows or Mac computer. We’ll also cover common troubleshooting steps and answer some of your frequently asked questions.

Enable Apps in Firewall Settings

• On a Windows computer, go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall to adjust which apps are allowed.
• On a Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options to set incoming connection rules for apps.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Windows

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1. 
   1
   Open Windows Security. You can change your basic firewall settings, including allowing apps through the firewall, in the Windows Security app. Open the Start menu and search for windows security. Open the result.
2. 
   2
   Select Firewall & network protection. It’s in the left sidebar.
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3. 
   3
   Click Allow an app through firewall. It’s one of the links near the bottom of the menu.

   • If this option is greyed out, make sure your firewall is actually on. You should see the text “Firewall is on” under each of the networks listed near the top of the menu. If you don’t see this text, click each network in the list and make sure the switch under “Microsoft Defender Firewall” is toggled on.
     • Still can’t click the Allow an app through firewall link? Skip to the Troubleshooting section.
4. 
   4
   Click Change settings. You’ll see this button at the top of the list of allowed apps and features.
5. 
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   Check the boxes next to an app you want to allow through. To allow an app on the list through your firewall, check the box to the left of the app’s name. Then, you’ll also need to select the type of network access you want to allow. Check the boxes under the Private and/or Public headers to the right of the app’s name. If you don’t see the app you want, go to the next step.

   • Private refers to private networks, like the Wi-Fi you use in your home or workplace. Public refers to the kind of networks you might find in a public place, like the Wi-Fi at your favorite coffee shop or the public library. It’s generally safest to only allow apps through your firewall on private networks.
   • When you’re done, click OK at the bottom of the window to save your changes and close the window.
6. 
   6
   Click Allow another app… if you don’t see the app you want. If an app isn’t in the list, you can browse for it and add it. Click Allow another app… below the list of allowed apps and features. Click Browse to browse for an app’s .exe file on your computer, or paste the app’s file path into the Path field.

   • If you want to decide which types of network to allow for the app (i.e., Public or Private), click Network types. Check the box(es) next to the network type(s) you want the app to communicate with, then click OK. You can always change this later in the main list of allowed apps and features.
   • When you’re done, click Add to add the app to the list of allowed apps.
   • If you’re not able to add an app this way, proceed to the Troubleshooting section.
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Section 2 of 3:

Mac

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1. 
   1
   Open the System Settings menu. If you’re using the built-in firewall on your Mac, you can change which apps are allowed through in your computer’s System Settings. To open it, click the

   

   Apple menu at the top left corner of your screen, then click System Settings.
2. 
   2
   Click Network. It’s in the left sidebar of the System Settings menu.
3. 
   3
   Select Firewall. You should see it near the top of the right-hand menu pane, but you might have to scroll down.
4. 
   4
   Click Options. A new window will open.
5. 
   5
   Select Allow incoming connections for the app you want to allow. Click the dropdown next to the app and set it to Allow incoming connections. If you don’t see the app you want, go to the next step.

   • When you’re done, click OK to close the window.
6. 
   6
   Click + to add an app to the list. If you can’t find the app you want to allow through the Firewall, click + at the bottom left corner of the list of apps. Browse for the app you want, then click Open. Set it to allow incoming connections, then click OK.

   • If your app still isn’t getting through the firewall, check the Troubleshooting section for possible solutions.
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Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1. 
   1
   Make sure you have administrator privileges. You might not be able to change your firewall settings if you aren’t logged in with an administrator account. Some changes might also be blocked if you’re using a managed computer (e.g., a school or work computer).

   • You can’t run Windows Security as an administrator like you can with other Windows apps. If you attempt an action within the app that requires administrator permission, you might be prompted to enter your credentials.
2. 
   2
   Check if your firewall is enabled. If your computer’s built-in firewall is disabled, you won’t be able to make changes to the firewall’s settings. Go into your system settings and make sure the firewall is turned on. If it’s disabled and you can’t turn it on, it might be due to one of the following issues:

   • A third-party antivirus or security app (like Norton or McAfee) has disabled your firewall. In this case, you’ll need to either disable the third-party app or control firewall settings through that app.
   • Your computer has a malware infection. Try running an antivirus scan and see if anything turns up.
   • There’s a system glitch or a problem with your settings causing the firewall to be disabled at startup. This problem is more common with Windows computers. Check out this guide from Microsoft to learn how to fix it.
   • There might be a group policy or administrator setting preventing the firewall from working (if your computer is owned by an organization).
3. 
   3
   Check your global firewall settings. Your firewall might be set to block all connections, even for allowed apps. To check for this problem:

   • Windows: Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection and click on your network. Under the Incoming connections header, make sure the box next to “Blocks all incoming connections, including those in the list of allowed apps” is not checked.
     • You can also click Advanced settings in the Firewall & network protection menu to see if you have any other settings in place that might be causing problems. Check the Inbound, Outbound, and Connection Security Rules for any settings that might interfere with the app you’re trying to use.
   • Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options. Make sure the toggle next to “Block all incoming connections” at the very top of the window is in the Off position.
4. 
   4
   Control firewall settings through your third-party antivirus or security app. If you have a third-party firewall or antivirus app, you’ll need to change your firewall settings in that app rather than in your computer’s system settings. The correct way to do this varies depending on the app, so check the support documentation that came with your software for instructions.
5. 
   5
   Enable secondary apps if the main app still can’t get through. Some apps have to work with other apps in order to function properly. For example, if you’re using Minecraft Java Edition, you might need to allow both Minecraft and the Java executables (java.exe and javaw.exe) through the firewall.
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Common Questions: Allowing an App Through the Firewall

Is it safe to allow unknown apps through my firewall?

No, it’s not safe to let unknown apps through your firewall. Letting any app through your firewall allows data traffic into and out of your computer. This means that malicious third parties could use that opening to access your private files, infect your computer with malware, or spread malware to other devices on your network.

Why is my computer’s firewall blocking a safe, verified app or game?

If you accidentally deny access at the initial prompt, you’ll need to create an exception for the app in your firewall settings. Other possible reasons for this kind of behavior include your antivirus or VPN, your global firewall settings (e.g., you have all incoming connections blocked), or a specific rule in your advanced firewall settings. On a Mac, you may need to go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options and toggle on both the “Automatically allow” options.

How do I block an app again after previously allowing it through the firewall?

To block an allowed app, you can simply return to your firewall settings and block the app (or remove it from your list of allowed apps altogether). In Windows, go back to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall. Uncheck the checkbox next to the app to stop allowing it through the firewall (or uncheck the specific type of network you want to block). On a Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options and select Block incoming connections next to an app. You can also select an app, then click - at the bottom left corner of the app list to remove it.

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