Why do I get an Access Denied message when I try to install a MATLAB add on on a mac?

I'm trying to install the Image Processing Toolbox add on. I have a student license.

My macOS is Big Sur, version 11.5.2

The error message just reads

Unable to write to /private/var/folders/cl/wy7k3q2j1_x6ycjphmc_83b80000gn/T/AppTranslocation/751B4B5A-5D40-496E-B6A3-E487ED1228BF/d/MATLAB_R2021b.app

I am the owner of this computer and I've tried to install this add on with both my admin and my root accounts. I gave myself permission to read and write to all the folders in that path except the ones after 751B4B5A-5D40-496E-B6A3-E487ED1228BF including that one, as it doesn't allow me to do it (even though I already disabled System Integrity Protection in order to allow myself to modify the access permissions for the other folders.

What else can I try to install this add on?

Thanks for any help

Answer 1

[Shubham Dhanda]

Hi,

I understand that you are encountering a permission issue while trying to install the Image Processing Toolbox add-on in MATLAB on macOS. Here are a few suggestions to resolve this problem:

1. Install MATLAB in a different location: Try installing MATLAB in a different location on your computer, such as in the Applications folder or your user directory. This can help avoid any restrictions related to the /private/var/folders path.

2. Grant full disk access: On macOS Big Sur and later versions, there is a feature called "Full Disk Access" that restricts certain system folders. You can grant MATLAB full disk access by following these steps:

• Go to System Preferences on your Mac.
• Select "Security & Privacy" and click on the "Privacy" tab.
• In the left pane, scroll down and select "Full Disk Access".
• Click on the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your administrator password to make changes
• Click on the "+" button and add MATLAB to the list of applications that have Full Disk Access.
• Restart MATLAB and try installing the Image Processing Toolbox again.

3. Temporary folder location: You can try changing the temporary folder location in MATLAB to a different directory where you have read and write permissions. To do this, execute the following command in the MATLAB Command Window before installing the add-on:

% Replace 'path/to/temp/folder' with a directory where you have read and write permissions

java.io.File(java.lang.System.getProperty('java.io.tmpdir')).mkdir('path/to/temp/folder');

java.lang.System.setProperty('java.io.tmpdir','path/to/temp/folder');

4. Contact MathWorks support: If the above suggestions do not resolve the issue, it would be best to reach out to MathWorks support for further assistance. They can provide more specific guidance based on your setup and license.

I hope one of these suggestions helps resolve the issue and allows you to install the Image Processing Toolbox add-on successfully.