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Definitive Rules for Using Secure Enclave on MacOS
Can someone tell me the applications requirements for using the secure enclave on MacOS? Does the application need to be signed with the secure-enclave entitlement in order to use it? Since this is a restricted entitlement, does my App ID need approval to use it from Apple? Currently I'm building in XCode 16 on Sequoia (15.5) using developer signing. My application is a C/C++ daemon running as plist out of /Library/LaunchDaemons. I have also built it as an application using the instructions here but this has not lead to a solution: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/signing-a-daemon-with-a-restricted-entitlement/ When I run my application from the command line via sudo signed but without the secure-enclave entitlement enabled in my entitlements file it runs. The first call to: SecAccessControlRef access = SecAccessControlCreateWithFlags( kCFAllocatorDefault, kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlockedThisDeviceOnly, kSecAccessControlPrivateKeyUsage, &error); succeeds without error. The call to create the key using: SecKeyRef privateKey = SecKeyCreateRandomKey(attributes, &error); then fails with error: (OSStatus error -50 - Failed to generate keypair) Here are the setup attributes (keySize = 256): CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrKeyType, kSecAttrKeyTypeECSECPrimeRandom); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrKeySizeInBits, keySize); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrLabel, keyName); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrApplicationTag, keyLabel); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrTokenID, kSecAttrTokenIDSecureEnclave); // Store in the Secure Enclave CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrKeyClass, kSecAttrKeyClassPrivate); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrAccessControl, access); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrIsPermanent, kCFBooleanTrue); // persist key across app restarts and reboots CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrCanEncrypt, kCFBooleanTrue); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrCanDecrypt, kCFBooleanTrue); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecAttrAccessible, kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlockedThisDeviceOnly); CFDictionarySetValue(attributes, kSecReturnPersistentRef, kCFBooleanTrue); When I run the application signed and include the "com.apple.developer.secure-enclave" in my entitlements file it crashes at startup. I believe this is to be expected based on above. How do I proceed such that my application can use the secure enclave correctly?
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May ’25
Enterprise Vendor Id changing when it shouldn't
Hi All, Really weird one here... I have two bundle ids with the same reverse dns name... com.company.app1 com.company.app2 app1 was installed on the device a year ago. app2 was also installed on the device a year ago but I released a new updated version and pushed it to the device via Microsoft InTunes. A year ago the vendor Id's matched as the bundle id's were on the same domain of com.company. Now for some reason the new build of app2 or any new app I build isn't being recognised as on the same domain as app1 even though the bundle id should make it so and so the Vendor Id's do not match and it is causing me major problems as I rely on the Vendor Id to exchange data between the apps on a certain device. In an enterprise environment, does anyone know of any other reason or things that could affect the Vendor Id? According to Apple docs, it seems that only the bundle name affects the vendor id but it isn't following those rules in this instance.
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Jun ’25
How can I export the "Notary Profile" used by notarytool for CI/CD
Once I have built my macOS .app and signed it I run notarytool using this simple shell script: #!/bin/sh ditto -c -k --keepParent "$1.app" "$1.zip" xcrun notarytool submit "$1.zip" --keychain-profile "Notary Profile for DeepSkyStacker" --wait xcrun stapler staple $1.app rm -f $1.zip How can I export that "keychain-profile" (notary profile) so I can use it in CI/CD actions? Clearly I don't wish to expose the full invocation of xcrun notarytool store-credentials.
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Jun ’25
Creating codesigned AppleScript apps
In the past it was relatively easy to download from the developer portal both the app signing and installer signing certs so that I could sign AppleScripts from Script Editor when exporting them and when building packages in Jamf Composer. I went to set that up today and it seems things have changed in the last few years since I've had to set this up. I've been unable to sort this out and would love some help. I'm looking for a tutorial on doing this that walks someone step-by-step through the process for obtaining the certs (yes, I have dev account) and setting them up in keychain and then making use of them. Thanks!
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Jun ’25
Unable to install profiles on device and sign apps
I have tried again and again to generate and install the .mobileprovision on my device for testing apps following the exact instructions. I cannot get this to work. When I tap the .mobileprovision on the device I get the error "Profile Error - This profile cannot be installed." In Xcode in the console as I try to install the profile, this is what it shows: `profiled (ManagedConfiguration) Desc : Invalid Profile US Desc: Invalid Profile Domain : MCProfileErrorDomain Code : 1000 Type : MCFatalError and then profiled Desc : Invalid Profile Sugg : Invalid Profile US Desc: Invalid Profile US Sugg: Invalid Profile Domain : MCInstallationErrorDomain Code : 4000 Type : MCFatalError ...Underlying error: NSError: Desc : Invalid Profile US Desc: Invalid Profile Domain : MCProfileErrorDomain Code : 1000 Type : MCFatalError I have been at this for days and cannot get it to work. Any help would be appreciated
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Jun ’25
SecTrustSettingsSetTrustSettings Fails on macOS 14.7.5 (ARM EC2) – "Authorization was denied since no user interaction was possible"
Hello Apple Developer Support, We are experiencing an issue when programmatically installing a trusted root certificate on EC2 macOS instances (ARM-based), running the latest version of macOS 14.7.5 (Build 23H527). We are using the following command as part of our automated setup process: sudo security authorizationdb write com.apple.trust-settings.admin allow sudo security add-trusted-cert -d -r trustRoot -k /Library/Keychains/System.keychain "$CERT_NAME" sudo security authorizationdb remove com.apple.trust-settings.admin This fails with the following message: SecTrustSettingsSetTrustSettings: The authorization was denied since no user interaction was possible In the past, as sugested in other posts (https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/671582) we were able to bypass this issue by running: sudo security authorizationdb write com.apple.trust-settings.admin allow This worked successfully in prior versions, including earlier 14.x releases, and continues to work on Intel-based macOS instances. However, in macOS 14.7.5 (on ARM), this approach no longer works. We suspect this may be due to a change in how System Integrity Protection (SIP) is enforced, especially on EC2 ARM. Questions: Has Apple introduced any changes in macOS 14.7.5 that prevent modifying trust settings via security CLI on headless or non-interactive sessions? Is there an approved or documented way to install system-level trusted certificates programmatically on macOS 14.7.5 (ARM)? Are there alternatives for setting trustRoot certs in non-GUI environments, such as virtualized or cloud-hosted macOS instances? As further information we were thinking to use MDM Profiles but looks like it is also blocked Thanks
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Jun ’25
Apple Certification Expired
Hello everyone. I have a simple doubt, I receive an email informing that the Apple Distribution certificate will expire. I create one new in the Developer portal with one year duration. My doubt is, I need to do something more like open again the app in Xcode, insert new certificate and build it again, send to apple and everything? Or just creating this certification is enough? Is possible to increase this certification time or auto renew? Thank you!!!
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Jun ’25
Copy of notarized & exported app will not run
In XCode I create and export a notarized app for "direct distribution". I then create a tar file of the exported .app to distribute to my users. Until today this worked fine. Now when the users try to run the app it pops up a dialog saying "app is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash." It is possible to ctrl-click on the app and force it to run but, I think, whether this works or not will depend on system settings and not all users have root access to modify settings. Even simply copying the .app folder from the command line will cause this error.
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Jun ’25
Notarization via notarytool stuck “In Progress”
Hello everyone, I’m trying to notarize my macOS app (DockIt.zip) using the new notarytool CLI, but every submission remains in In Progress status forever, it never moves to Accepted or Rejected. I’ve tried multiple rebuilds, credential resets, and even the Xcode GUI method, but the result is the same. Environment • macOS 14.x • Xcode 15.x / Command-Line Tools 15.x • Apple ID: afonsocruz.dev@icloud.com (Team ID: 264Z9XKCT6) • Keychain profile: DockItCreds Steps taken 1. zip -r DockIt.zip DockIt.app 2. xcrun notarytool store-credentials DockItCreds --apple-id ... --team-id 264Z9XKCT6 3. xcrun notarytool submit DockIt.zip --keychain-profile DockItCreds --wait 4. xcrun notarytool history --keychain-profile DockItCreds History snapshot 167a9600-5c7c-4bc4-b984-dd967d30e161 (2025-05-19T11:37:59Z) – In Progress 7167f7c8-d448-4b35-9817-055009f2730a (2025-05-19T04:59:34Z) – In Progress 6ef0610a-595f-4c57-b0f2-f5fe783e8679 (2025-05-18T22:04:10Z) – In Progress bddde388-a34a-42c4-afb8-f06f2b0fe8fa (2025-05-17T10:24:07Z) – In Progress Questions Is it normal to stay “In Progress” for so long? Any recent service changes or outages? How can I get more detailed logs? Also, I'm still learning about macOS development and these steps! If there's something obvious and I was not able to see, please, take into consideration! Thanks!
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Jun ’25
How to Share Provisioning Profiles with Customers for macOS App Distribution
I am distributing a macOS application outside the App Store using Developer ID and need to provide provisioning profiles to customers for installation during the package installation process. I have two questions: How can I package and provide the provisioning profile(s) so that the customer can install them easily during the application installation process? Are there any best practices or tools that could simplify this step? In my case, there are multiple provisioning profiles. Should I instruct the customer to install each profile individually, or is there a way to combine them and have them installed all at once? Any guidance on the best practices for this process would be greatly appreciated.
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Jun ’25
How to Share Provisioning Profiles with Customers for macOS App Distribution
I am distributing a macOS application outside the App Store using Developer ID and need to provide provisioning profiles to customers for installation during the package installation process. I have two questions: How can I package and provide the provisioning profile(s) so that the customer can install them easily during the application installation process? Are there any best practices or tools that could simplify this step? In my case, there are multiple provisioning profiles. Should I instruct the customer to install each profile one by one, or is there a way to combine them and have them installed all at once? Any insights, resources, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
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Jun ’25
macos app won't run
I created a distribution certificate for my app release build and have manually loaded this cert (link to xcode image at the bottom of this paragraph). All things look good until I build the app and I get the following error. I'm first pasting the image of my project and then the error information. [https://madshot.net/10c6e510875e.png) Could not launch “Madshot360” Domain: IDELaunchErrorDomain Code: 20 Recovery Suggestion: Runningboard has returned error 5. Please check the system logs for the underlying cause of the error. User Info: { DVTErrorCreationDateKey = "2025-06-10 19:58:02 +0000"; DVTRadarComponentKey = 968756; IDERunOperationFailingWorker = IDELaunchServicesLauncher; } The operation couldn’t be completed. Launch failed. Domain: RBSRequestErrorDomain Code: 5 Failure Reason: Launch failed. Launchd job spawn failed Domain: NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code: 153 Event Metadata: com.apple.dt.IDERunOperationWorkerFinished : { "device_identifier" = "00008112-0004052C22D8A01E"; "device_model" = "Mac14,15"; "device_osBuild" = "15.5 (24F74)"; "device_platform" = "com.apple.platform.macosx"; "device_thinningType" = "Mac14,15"; "dvt_coredevice_version" = "443.19"; "dvt_coresimulator_version" = "1010.10"; "dvt_mobiledevice_version" = "1784.120.3"; "launchSession_schemeCommand" = Run; "launchSession_state" = 1; "launchSession_targetArch" = arm64; "operation_duration_ms" = 235; "operation_errorCode" = 20; "operation_errorDomain" = IDELaunchErrorDomain; "operation_errorWorker" = IDELaunchServicesLauncher; "operation_name" = IDERunOperationWorkerGroup; "param_debugger_attachToExtensions" = 0; "param_debugger_attachToXPC" = 1; "param_debugger_type" = 3; "param_destination_isProxy" = 0; "param_destination_platform" = "com.apple.platform.macosx"; "param_diag_113575882_enable" = 0; "param_diag_MainThreadChecker_stopOnIssue" = 0; "param_diag_MallocStackLogging_enableDuringAttach" = 0; "param_diag_MallocStackLogging_enableForXPC" = 1; "param_diag_allowLocationSimulation" = 1; "param_diag_checker_tpc_enable" = 1; "param_diag_gpu_frameCapture_enable" = 0; "param_diag_gpu_shaderValidation_enable" = 0; "param_diag_gpu_validation_enable" = 0; "param_diag_guardMalloc_enable" = 0; "param_diag_memoryGraphOnResourceException" = 0; "param_diag_mtc_enable" = 1; "param_diag_queueDebugging_enable" = 1; "param_diag_runtimeProfile_generate" = 0; "param_diag_sanitizer_asan_enable" = 0; "param_diag_sanitizer_tsan_enable" = 0; "param_diag_sanitizer_tsan_stopOnIssue" = 0; "param_diag_sanitizer_ubsan_enable" = 0; "param_diag_sanitizer_ubsan_stopOnIssue" = 0; "param_diag_showNonLocalizedStrings" = 0; "param_diag_viewDebugging_enabled" = 1; "param_diag_viewDebugging_insertDylibOnLaunch" = 1; "param_install_style" = 2; "param_launcher_UID" = 2; "param_launcher_allowDeviceSensorReplayData" = 0; "param_launcher_kind" = 0; "param_launcher_style" = 99; "param_launcher_substyle" = 0; "param_runnable_appExtensionHostRunMode" = 0; "param_runnable_productType" = "com.apple.product-type.application"; "param_structuredConsoleMode" = 1; "param_testing_launchedForTesting" = 0; "param_testing_suppressSimulatorApp" = 0; "param_testing_usingCLI" = 0; "sdk_canonicalName" = "macosx15.4"; "sdk_osVersion" = "15.4"; "sdk_variant" = macos; } System Information macOS Version 15.5 (Build 24F74) Xcode 16.3 (23785) (Build 16E140) Timestamp: 2025-06-10T12:58:02-07:00
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Jun ’25
no valid aps-environment entitlement string found for application
Error in application:didFailToRegisterForRemoteNotificationsWithError: no valid aps-environment entitlement string found for application have tried out the below commands % codesign -d --entitlements - /path/to/your.app % security cms -D -i /path/to/your.app/embedded.mobileprovision and it seems both are working fine, Im currently developing react native app with expo and firebase for notifications this works fine when im running it via installing the app from testflight, but the issue occurs when i test in testflight or while the apple team reviewing my app My entitlements file <dict> <key>aps-environment</key> <string>production</string> </dict> </plist>
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Jun ’25
Trying to distribute app to Apple Store
I created an MadOS app with xcode 16.5 with a developer id certificate. I've been trying to install a distribution certificate for over a week with several co-workers. I can add a distribution certificate to my key chain, and created a provisioning profile. I've tried every combination but none work. I put xcode in automatic signing but can only see my developer id, if I put it in manual with and without a provisioning profile but if I give the app binary, other users can't run the app because the certificate isn't working. I need support to work with me to look the developer portal and my system to figure this out.
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Jun ’25
Flutter build fails on iOS physical device in Android Studio, works in Xcode
Hello, I'm encountering an issue when trying to build and launch a Flutter app on a physical iOS device using Android Studio. Here is the full log: `Launching lib/main.dart on (iPhone Name) in debug mode... Automatically signing iOS for device deployment using specified development team in Xcode project: (Project ID) Running Xcode build... Xcode build done. 19.7s Failed to build iOS app Could not build the precompiled application for the device. Error (Xcode): Target debug_unpack_ios failed: Exception: Failed to codesign (Project Names)/build/ios/Debug-iphoneos/Flutter.framework/Flutter with identity (identity ID). Error launching application on (iPhone Name).` This only happens when using Android Studio. When I build the same project using Xcode, it runs fine on the same device. Background: I accidentally deleted all Apple accounts from Xcode recently. In Keychain Access, I had three identical certificates; I deleted the older two and kept the newest one. I suspect this may be related to provisioning or code signing, but I’m not sure how to resolve it within Android Studio. Any advice or steps to fix this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Jun ’25
Provisioning Profile Missing In-App Purchase Entitlement (Despite Capability Enabled)
I'm facing a persistent issue with provisioning profiles not including the com.apple.developer.in-app-purchase entitlement, even though the In-App Purchase capability is clearly enabled in the Developer Portal for my app. What I’ve already done: Confirmed that the In-App Purchase capability is enabled in the App ID configuration Deleted all provisioning profiles locally (~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning Profiles) Regenerated both Development and App Store provisioning profiles from scratch Tried Xcode's automatic signing (after properly registering the device) Verified the provisioning profiles via Terminal (security cms -D -i ...) — the IAP entitlement is missing every time Recreated valid distribution and development certificates Cleaned the Xcode project and settings The result: Every attempt to build or archive the app in Xcode returns: Missing entitlement: com.apple.developer.in-app-purchase I've also opened a support case with Apple, but so far I’ve only been redirected to general documentation. Has anyone encountered this recently? Is there a known delay or sync issue on Apple’s side when enabling capabilities? Can the provisioning profile or entitlement data be manually refreshed by Apple? Is there any workaround that worked for you in this situation?
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Jun ’25
Team ID suddenly invalid
Hi, overnight I'm getting "HTTP status code: 403. Invalid or inaccessible developer team ID for the provided Apple ID. Ensure the Team ID is correct and that you are a member of that team." in my pipeline running notarytool store-credentials. I'm getting --apple-id, --team-id and --password from CI variables. Double checked the values (even though they shouldn't change). Tried a new app specific password I did not change anything to cause this and my apple developer account is active. Really scratching my head what's going on here. Some assistance would be greatly appreciated!
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Jun ’25
Using restricted entitlements in a macOS 26 VM
We have a Mac app that uses some restricted macOS entitlements, thus to test it we embed a development provisioning profile, that needs to contain the correct provisioning UDID. Typically, for test VMs, we extract the provisioning and UDID and add it to the developer portal and then re-generate the provisioning profiles. However when we try to do this in our newly created VM (Apple Silicon), our executable won't run, and macOS logs that the provisioning profile doesn't allow the device: 2025-06-12 12:37:52.168 E taskgated-helper[27489:e97da] [com.apple.ManagedClient:ProvisioningProfiles] embedded provisioning profile not valid: file:///Applications/foo.app/Contents/embedded.provisionprofile error: Error Domain=CPProfileManager Code=-212 "Provisioning profile does not allow this device." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Provisioning profile does not allow this device.} 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 E taskgated-helper[27489:e97da] [com.apple.ManagedClient:ProvisioningProfiles] Disallowing com.company.foo because no eligible provisioning profiles found 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 Df amfid[112:e99b0] [com.apple.xpc:connection] [0xb34c74a00] invalidated because the current process cancelled the connection by calling xpc_connection_cancel() 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 Df taskgated-helper[27489:e97da] [com.apple.xpc:connection] [0x839144000] invalidated because the client process (pid 112) either cancelled the connection or exited 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 E amfid[112:e91ac] [com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity.framework:default] Failure validating against provisioning profiles: &lt;private&gt; 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 E amfid[112:e91ac] [com.apple.MobileFileIntegrity.framework:default] Restricted entitlements not validated, bailing out. Error: Error Domain=AppleMobileFileIntegrityError Code=-413 "No matching profile found" UserInfo={NSURL=&lt;private&gt;, NSLocalizedDescription=No matching profile found} 2025-06-12 12:37:52.169 Df amfid[112:e91ac] /Applications/foo.app/Contents/MacOS/foo not valid: Error Domain=AppleMobileFileIntegrityError Code=-413 "No matching profile found" UserInfo={NSURL=file:///Applications/foo.app/, NSLocalizedDescription=No matching profile found} The UDID for this VM does look weird, in System Profiler: But I can verify that this UDID string is present in the provisioning profile embedded in the app bundle: $ security cms -D -i /Applications/foo.app/Contents/embedded.provisionprofile | grep -i 7cd9234e9aa4fa8ba528ee417f857b2c993a20a3 &lt;string&gt;7CD9234E9AA4FA8BA528EE417F857B2C993A20A3&lt;/string&gt; I also tried deleting the manually added device from the Developer portal and installing Xcode on the VM and letting Xcode register the device, but I end up in the same situation there. Even after letting Xcode itself register the device, it says that "this device not registered to your account" and then when I click "Register device" it changes into " already exists". Has anyone else managed to get Mac development provisioning profiles to work in a VM?
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Jun ’25
No Keychain App anymore
The docs here outline how to create a CSR/ and request a certificate. https://developer.apple.com/help/account/certificates/create-a-certificate-signing-request "Accounts preferences Use Accounts preferences to manage developer account assets (signing certificates and provisioning profiles), add repositories, and add servers. To open Accounts preferences, choose Xcode > Preferences and click Accounts." I have the latest version of XCode, I don't see Preferences / Accounts anywhere? I can go here and create a certificate: https://developer.apple.com/account/resources/certificates/add but it wants a CSR, which loops back around to the XCode thing. So, I can't figure out how to create a singing cert for my iOS app. Launch Keychain Access located in /Applications/Utilities. This doesnt seem to exist in Mac OS Sequoia 15.5 https://developer.apple.com/help/account/certificates/create-a-certificate-signing-request
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Jun ’25