cron lacks permissions to run a script

Question

I have a script (which backs up, using rclone) that I can run from the Terminal or Automator after chmod a+x, with no permissions problems.

However, when this script is run in cron (or launchd), stderr shows "/bin/bash: /Users/joshua/script.sh: Operation not permitted."

I am more familiar with Ubuntu, where this approach works fine.

What do I need to do here?

Edit: The above question remains relevant, but note that launchd is the favored cron replacement for Mac, while Automator is available for application-level scheduling.

Answer 1

It looks like the proper two programs to give full access to are:

cron
terminal.app

See rsync in cron on Catalina no longer working

Answer 2

The solution that worked for me is to use Automator, not cron, as in this example.

Answer 3

There is two solutions that you can try. The first one I recommend however the second one might also help but it is not an ideal solution.

First Solution: Assuming, you are on macOS higher than 10.12

1. Choose ‘System Preferences’
2. Choose “Security & Privacy” control panel
3. Now select the “Privacy” tab, then from the left-side menu select “Full Disk Access”
4. Click the lock icon in the lower-left corner of the preference panel and authenticate with an admin-level login
5. Now click the [+] plus button to add an application with full disk access

6. Navigate to the /Applications/Utilities/ folder and choose “Terminal” to grant Terminal with Full Disk Access privileges

7. Relaunch Terminal, the “Operation not permitted” error messages will be gone

Second solution (I personally don't recommend this)

1. Reboot your Mac into Recovery Mode by restarting your computer and holding down Command+R until the Apple logo appears on your screen.

2. Click Utilities > Terminal.

3. In the Terminal window, type in:

     csrutil disable
   

4. Restart your Mac.