Desktop (macOS): built-in browser "Import cookies" lists only Edge until each browser is allowed under Files & Folders; the dialog gives no hint

Documentation Type

Missing documentation (feature not documented)

Documentation Location

https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16607400-use-the-built-in-browser-in-claude-cowork

Section/Topic

Importing cookies in the Claude desktop app's built-in browser (macOS)

Current Documentation

The help article says importing saved logins is available from Chrome, Edge and Firefox on macOS (and that Safari is not supported). It does not mention that macOS must first allow Claude to access each browser's data.

What's Wrong or Missing?

Summary

In the Claude desktop app's built-in browser, "Import cookies..." listed only Microsoft Edge, although Chrome and Firefox are also installed and the help article says import is available from Chrome, Edge and Firefox on macOS. The cause was a macOS permission, and nothing in the dialog tells the user about it, so it looks like a bug or an unsupported browser.

Environment

• Claude for Mac 2.31226.1 (857652)
• macOS 27.0.1
• Installed browsers: Google Chrome (several profiles), Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera

Steps to reproduce

1. Open the built-in browser, open the three-dot menu, choose "Import cookies...".
2. Open the "From" dropdown.

Actual behavior

The dropdown listed only "Microsoft Edge". Chrome and Firefox were missing. Restarting the app and updating it to the current version did not change this. No message explained why other browsers were absent.

What fixed it

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders > Claude has separate per-browser entries (Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge). I only found this by chance, when another browser requested access. After enabling the entries for the browsers, the dropdown listed every Chrome profile, Edge and Firefox, and importing cookies worked.

Expected behavior

The dialog lists every installed supported browser, and shows a clear message or a "Grant access" button when a browser's data can't be read because of the missing permission.

Notes

Separate from this issue: after closing and reopening the built-in browser, the previously open tab was gone. Similar reports: #80293, #83163.

Suggested Improvement

1. In the help article, mention that on macOS the app needs permission to access each browser's data (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders > Claude), otherwise only some browsers appear in the import list.
2. In the app, show a message or a "Grant access" prompt in the "Import cookies" dialog when a browser's data can't be read because of this permission, instead of silently listing fewer browsers.

Impact

Medium - Makes feature difficult to understand

Additional Context

_No response_