FAQ
A few things worth knowing.
Short answers about the app, your data and buying.
What does Talos Labs check?
Your Mac's security settings, with 31 rules. They follow the CIS Apple macOS 26 Tahoe Benchmark v1.0.0 wherever it has a matching control. You get a score out of 100, a grade and a list of findings in plain words. See what it checks.
Can I buy it now?
Not yet. There is no download yet either. The Buy page says how buying will work.
Does it upload my report?
No. The scan runs on your Mac and the report stays on your Mac. By default the app makes no network connection at all.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no account and no server. Your licence key is checked on your Mac.
Does it run in the background?
No. It checks your Mac when you open it and speaks only then. There are no notifications, no menu bar agent and no background scans. Settings has switches to turn the automatic check and the guided home off.
Will it change settings without asking?
No. Nothing changes until you press the button for a fix. Each fix is an exact command from a fixed table in the app. When a fix needs an administrator, macOS shows its own password dialog, and Talos Labs never sees the password.
Can it fix everything?
Most things. Some settings the app leaves for you to change in System Settings, like FileVault, so you see and keep the recovery key. For those, the app opens the right page in System Settings and checks again on its own when you come back. A few things need a person, like setting up a separate administrator account. The app lists those and leaves them alone.
Does it work on Intel Macs?
It is built as one universal app for Apple silicon and Intel. Its checks and fixes have been verified on Apple silicon so far. The AI explanations need Apple silicon with Apple Intelligence turned on.
Do I need the AI?
No. Every finding has a written explanation and a complete fix, so the app is complete with the AI switched off. When the AI is on, it runs on your Mac and its text is marked as not verified.
What is free, and what does the key add?
Without a key you get the full check, the score and grade, every finding with its explanation, and the complete fix for the three failing findings worth the most points. Fixes for findings marked worth a look are always free. The key adds fixes for every finding, “Check again” on any finding, and the AI explanations and questions about your report.
Is it a subscription?
No. You pay once. A key works with every version released within its update window, and keeps working with those versions after the window ends. The length of the window and the price will be set when sales open.
Which versions of macOS does it support?
macOS 26 or later.
Why would it ask for Full Disk Access?
Only to read your browser extension folders, which macOS protects. It asks when that check needs it, never at first launch, and you can say no. Automation is asked for the same way, to read the apps that open at login.