{
  "schema": "https://storagestudio.us/schema/wiki-page.v1",
  "title": "App safety level",
  "slug": "glossary-app-safety-level",
  "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-app-safety-level",
  "markdown_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary-app-safety-level.md",
  "category": "Glossary",
  "category_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/glossary/",
  "tags": [
    "glossary",
    "apps"
  ],
  "summary": "An app's safety level is Storage Studio's rating of how safely it can be moved to your external drive: Safe, Caveat, Override or Blocked.",
  "published_at": "2026-10-01T06:16:08.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T05:36:07.000Z",
  "headings": [],
  "links_out": [
    {
      "slug": "app-safety-levels",
      "label": "App safety levels",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/app-safety-levels"
    },
    {
      "slug": "why-some-apps-cant-be-moved",
      "label": "Why some apps can't be moved",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/why-some-apps-cant-be-moved"
    },
    {
      "slug": "moving-an-app",
      "label": "Moving an app to your external drive",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moving-an-app"
    }
  ],
  "links_in": [
    {
      "slug": "app-safety-levels",
      "title": "App safety levels",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/app-safety-levels"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-apps-window",
      "title": "The Apps window",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-apps-window"
    },
    {
      "slug": "why-some-apps-cant-be-moved",
      "title": "Why some apps can't be moved",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/why-some-apps-cant-be-moved"
    }
  ],
  "diagrams": [],
  "images": [],
  "screenshots_pending": [],
  "faqs": [],
  "text": "An app's safety level is Storage Studio's rating of how safely that app can be moved to your external drive. Each app in the Apps window carries a small badge with one of four levels; hold the pointer over the badge to read the reason. Safe — nothing found that a move could upset. Move freely. Caveat — moves normally, with something worth knowing; for example, macOS may ask you to allow a permission such as the camera again. Override — a real risk was found, such as a background helper or an app installed by macOS. You can still move it after confirming. Blocked — can't be moved, for example Storage Studio itself, apps that come with macOS, Apple-signed apps, apps already moved, or an app that's open right now (quit it and refresh to check again). See also: App safety levels · Why some apps can't be moved · Moving an app to your external drive",
  "markdown": "An app's **safety level** is Storage Studio's rating of how safely that app can be moved to your external drive. Each app in the Apps window carries a small badge with one of four levels; hold the pointer over the badge to read the reason.\n\n- **Safe** — nothing found that a move could upset. Move freely.\n- **Caveat** — moves normally, with something worth knowing; for example, macOS may ask you to allow a permission such as the camera again.\n- **Override** — a real risk was found, such as a background helper or an app installed by macOS. You can still move it after confirming.\n- **Blocked** — can't be moved, for example Storage Studio itself, apps that come with macOS, Apple-signed apps, apps already moved, or an app that's open right now (quit it and refresh to check again).\n\nSee also: [App safety levels](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/app-safety-levels) · [Why some apps can't be moved](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/why-some-apps-cant-be-moved) · [Moving an app to your external drive](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/moving-an-app)\n"
}