Mac mini / Sequoia: multiple issues (asking password for new folders, not letting me change permissions, having an unkown user called "wheel")

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Mac mini / Sequoia: multiple issues (asking password for new folders, not letting me change permissions, having an unkown user called "wheel")

Help! I just bought a MacMini with Sequoia, and now it's asking me to enter my password to create new folders. I thought it was about permissions, so I opened the Info panel in Macintosh HD, scrolled down to Sharing and Permissions, and saw that only Admin (me) has Read & Write permissions.

I unlocked using my password, but when I try to change the permissions for everyone t says I don't have the permissions to do that.

Additionally, on the users list, I found one called "wheel" and have no idea what that is. I've been using Mac since 2007, and never saw that.

The password thing is annoying, but the permissions thing is truly worrying. Last Mac I bought was an iMac in 2018 and I had 7 years of pain and suffering because of issues everywhere, I don't want to repeat that.

HAAAALP!!

Mac mini (M4, 2024)

Posted on Nov 11, 2025 6:21 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 7

32,153 points

Nov 11, 2025 7:11 PM in response to hatstable

The modern macOS resides on a locked, read-only volume of the startup drive. Access to users and other potentially compromising actions is severely limited.

I suspect you were trying to add a folder to your drive outside of your Home folder. For the sake of the security of the OS and your Mac, this is no longer an option. It is disallowed by default, and IMHO, is not a bad thing.

You are free to create all the folders you like and need within your Home folder. Create to your heart's content. Create folders on an externally connected storage device. But don't expect to be able to create anything on the startup drive outside of your Home folder.

Organize files in folders on Mac - Apple Support

As for the "Wheel" user in the permissions list, that has been around for about as long as I can remember. I cannot explain just what "Wheel" is or includes but I can say with certainty that it is and has been a valid component of the OS permissions structure for ages.

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Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

38,581 points

Nov 14, 2025 9:35 PM in response to hatstable

re: The password thing is annoying, but the permissions thing is truly worrying. Last Mac I bought was an iMac in 2018 and I had 7 years of pain and suffering because of issues everywhere, I don't want to repeat that.

Wondering whether your Mac (and the previous Mac) was properly set up for a new user (you!):

Eg: The previous owner should have followed the steps in the article below, or could maybe be asked to.

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Suppor

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