Saving file to desktop from macOS app

Question

Albinus OP

Created Aug ’19

Replies 6

Boosts 0

Views 7k

Participants 4

I've been trying to save the output of a macOS app to my desktop. This is the code I'm using to do so:

 let homePath = FileManager.default.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser
let desktopPath = homePath.appendingPathComponent("Desktop")
print(desktopPath)
let filePath = desktopPath.appendingPathComponent("TestFile.txt")
do {
  try unicodeString.write(to: filePath, atomically: false, encoding: .utf8)
} catch {
  errorMessage = error.localizedDescription + "\n" + unicodeString
}

And this is the error I get:

You don’t have permission to save the file “TestFile.txt” in the folder “Desktop”.

The path that's printed looks like this:

file:///Users/DKJ/Library/Containers/com.hatzicware.FileCreator/Data/Desktop

which of course is not on my desktop. How do I construct a path that will let me save the file?

I get the same error running the app both in Xcode, and on its own in Finder.

Answered by john daniel in 374876022

Turn off the sandbox or use NSSavePanel.

Boost

Answer 1

john daniel OP

Aug ’19

Accepted Answer

Turn off the sandbox or use NSSavePanel.

0

Answer 2

Claude31 OP

Aug ’19

Sandbox is really very strict. You are in the sandbox, you cannot play outside without authorization. You have a local desktop inside the sandbox, but the one of the yard !

So, you need first to authorize access, then save to the selected folder.

I ended up with the following scheme to create a file in an outside folder:

- openPanel first, to declare a folder to authorize

- I inform user about this

- in its completion, call savePanel.

Here it is, for an action called from a menuItem:

     @IBAction func newDossier(_ sender: NSMenuItem) {
 
        let openPanel = NSOpenPanel()       // Authorize access in sandboxed mode
        openPanel.message = NSLocalizedString("Select folder where to create file\n(Necessary to manage security on this computer)", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
        openPanel.prompt = NSLocalizedString("Select", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
        openPanel.canChooseFiles = false    // Only select or create Directory here ; you can select the real Desktop
        openPanel.canChooseDirectories = true
        openPanel.canCreateDirectories = true
        openPanel.begin() {                              // In the completion, Save the file
            (result2) -> Void in
            if result2 == NSApplication.ModalResponse.OK {
                storeBookmark(url: openPanel.url!)          // Save the bookmark for future use if needed
 
                let savePanel = NSSavePanel()
                savePanel.title = NSLocalizedString("File to create", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
                savePanel.nameFieldStringValue = ""
                savePanel.prompt = NSLocalizedString("Create", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
                savePanel.allowedFileTypes = ["xxxx"]   // if you want to specify file signature
                let fileManager = FileManager.default
        
                savePanel.begin() { (result) -> Void in
                    if result == NSApplication.ModalResponse.OK {
                        let fileWithExtensionURL = savePanel.url!  //  May test that file does not exist already
                        if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: fileWithExtensionURL.path) {
                        } else {
                                       // Now, write the file
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

1

Answer 3

Claude31 OP

Sep ’19

Did you finally solve your issue ?

0

Answer 4

Albinus OP

Sep ’19

Using NSSavePanel did the trick. Thanks!

0

Answer 5

Albinus OP

Sep ’19

Yes, NSSavePanel was all I needed.

0

Answer 6

Emilyjohnson OP

Oct ’21

It may not be an answer to this question, But I hope it may help you to save Desktop files organized and save your valuable time.

I have been using Declutter pro application for more than a year. It performs so well. It is an automatic Mac Desktop Organizing application and Now I can save my Desktop files properly Just within a Click. Hope it may help you.

0

	let homePath = FileManager.default.homeDirectoryForCurrentUser
	let desktopPath = homePath.appendingPathComponent("Desktop")
	print(desktopPath)
	let filePath = desktopPath.appendingPathComponent("TestFile.txt")
	do {
	try unicodeString.write(to: filePath, atomically: false, encoding: .utf8)
	} catch {
	errorMessage = error.localizedDescription + "\n" + unicodeString
	}

	@IBAction func newDossier(_ sender: NSMenuItem) {

	let openPanel = NSOpenPanel() // Authorize access in sandboxed mode
	openPanel.message = NSLocalizedString("Select folder where to create file\n(Necessary to manage security on this computer)", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
	openPanel.prompt = NSLocalizedString("Select", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
	openPanel.canChooseFiles = false // Only select or create Directory here ; you can select the real Desktop
	openPanel.canChooseDirectories = true
	openPanel.canCreateDirectories = true
	openPanel.begin() { // In the completion, Save the file
	(result2) -> Void in
	if result2 == NSApplication.ModalResponse.OK {
	storeBookmark(url: openPanel.url!) // Save the bookmark for future use if needed

	let savePanel = NSSavePanel()
	savePanel.title = NSLocalizedString("File to create", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
	savePanel.nameFieldStringValue = ""
	savePanel.prompt = NSLocalizedString("Create", comment: "enableFileMenuItems")
	savePanel.allowedFileTypes = ["xxxx"] // if you want to specify file signature
	let fileManager = FileManager.default

	savePanel.begin() { (result) -> Void in
	if result == NSApplication.ModalResponse.OK {
	let fileWithExtensionURL = savePanel.url! // May test that file does not exist already
	if fileManager.fileExists(atPath: fileWithExtensionURL.path) {
	} else {
	// Now, write the file
	}
	}
	}
	}
	}
	}