Hi, Our project is a MacOS SwiftUI GUI application that bundles a (Sandboxed) System Network Extension, signed with a Developer ID certificate for distribution outside of the app store. The system network extension is used to write a packet tunnel provider (NEPacketTunnelProvider), as our project requires the creation of a TUN device. In order for our System VPN to function, it must reach out to a (self-hosted) server (i.e. to discover a list of peers). Being self-hosted, this server is typically not accessible via the public web, and may only be accessible from within a VPN (such as those also implemented using NEPacketTunnelProvider, e.g. Tailscale, Cloudflare WARP). What we've discovered is that the networking code of the System Network Extension process does not attempt to use the other VPN network interfaces (utunX) on the system. In practice, this means requests to IPs and hostnames that should be routed to those interfaces time out. Identical requests made outside of the Network System Extension process use those interfaces and succeed. The simplest example is where we create a URLSession.downloadTask for a resource on the server. A more complicated example is where we execute a Go .dylib that continues to communicate with that server. Both types of requests time out. Two noteworthy logs appear when packets fail to send, both from the kernel 'process': cfil_hash_entry_log:6088 <CFIL: Error: sosend_reinject() failed>: [30685 com.coder.Coder-Desktop.VPN] <UDP(17) out so b795d11aca7c26bf 57728068503033955 57728068503033955 age 0> lport 3001 fport 3001 laddr 100.108.7.40 faddr 100.112.177.88 hash 58B15863 cfil_service_inject_queue:4472 CFIL: sosend() failed 49 I also wrote some test code that probes using a UDP NWConnection and NWPath availableInterfaces. When run from the GUI App, multiple interfaces are returned, including the one that routes the address, utun5. When ran from within the sysex, only en0 is returned. I understand routing a VPN through another is unconventional, but we unfortunately do need this functionality one way or another. Is there any way to modify which interfaces are exposed to the sysex? Additionally, are these limitations of networking within a Network System Extension documented anywhere? Do you have any ideas why this specific limitation might exist?

Hi, We're in the process of following Apple’s guidance on transitioning away from Packet Filter (pf) and migrating to a Network Extension-based solution that functions as a firewall. During this transition, we've encountered several limitations with the current Content Filter API and wanted to share our findings. Our VPN client relies on firewall functionality to enforce strict adherence to split tunneling rules defined via the routing table. This ensures that no traffic leaks outside the VPN tunnel, which is critical for our users for a variety of reasons. To enforce this, our product currently uses interface-scoped rules to block all non-VPN traffic outside the tunnel. Replicating this behavior with the Content Filter API (NEFilterDataProvider) appears to be infeasible today. The key limitation we've encountered is that the current Content Filter API does not expose information about the network interface associated with a flow. As a workaround, we considered using the flow’s local endpoint IP to infer the interface, but this data is not available until after returning a verdict to peek into the flow’s data—at which point the connection has already been established. This can result in connection metadata leaking outside the tunnel, which may contain sensitive information depending on the connection. What is the recommended approach for this use case? NEFilterPacketProvider? This may work, but it has a negative impact on network performance. Using a Packet Tunnel Provider and purely relying on enforceRoutes? Would this indeed ensure that no traffic can leak by targeting a specific interface or by using a second VPN extension? And more broadly—especially if no such approach is currently feasible with the existing APIs—we're interpreting TN3165 as a signal that pf should be considered deprecated and may not be available in the next major macOS release. Is that a reasonable interpretation?

I have read all the information and forum posts about local network, such as TN3179, etc., and have added NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription, but it does not solve my problem. The problem I encountered is described as follows: Device: iOS18.1.1 Signing method: automatic Xcode debug directly runs, and the app can access 17.25.11.128 normally. However, relase run or packaged into adhoc installation, this IP cannot be accessed. There is a phenomenon that the app package of the App Store can also be used. Our test team has few iOS18+ devices, and internal testing is not possible. Please contact us as soon as possible, thank you. ======= 我已经了解了所有关于local network 相关的资料和论坛帖子，比如TN3179 等等， 已经添加了 NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription， 但是不解决我的问题。 我遇到的问题描述如下： 设备：iOS18.1.1 签名方式：自动 xcode debug 直接运行，app是可以正常访问17.25.11.128的。 但是 relase run 或者 打包成 adhoc 安装，就无法访问这个IP了。 有一个现象， App Store 的app包 也是可以的。 我们的测试团队，iOS18+的设备就没几个，还不能内部测试了。请尽快联系我们，谢谢。

We’ve noticed an issue where after running a network extension, if the phone’s language is changed the Locale.preferredLanguages array is not updated and still returns the old array. It only returns the updated array when the app is reinstalled or the phone is restarted. This is unlike the app itself where using the same Locale.preferredLanguages API immediately returns the updated array. We think this issue is also the cause of notifications that are sent by the network extension being in the previous language as long as the app isn’t reinstalled or the phone is restarted, despite our Localizable file having localised strings for the new language. Feedback ID: FB20086051 The feedback report includes a sample project with steps on how to reproduce the issue.

We have developed a DNS filter based on NEDNSProxyProvider. It works great for a minute, then it stops responding. Our logs indicate that during the outage our extension gets DNS requests and formulates DNS responses that it hands back to the OS, but from outside of our code it is as though our extension is not responding.

Hi all, I have a working macOS (Intel) system extension app that currently uses only a Content Filter (NEFilterDataProvider). I need to capture/log HTTP and HTTPS traffic in plain text, and I understand NETransparentProxyProvider is the right extension type for that. For HTTPS I will need TLS inspection / a MITM proxy — I’m new to that and unsure how complex it will be. For DNS data (in plain text), can I use the same extension, or do I need a separate extension type such as NEPacketTunnelProvider, NEFilterPacketProvider, or NEDNSProxyProvider? Current architecture: Two Xcode targets: MainApp and a SystemExtension target. The SystemExtension target contains multiple network extension types. MainApp ↔ SystemExtension communicate via a bidirectional NSXPC connection. I can already enable two extensions (Content Filter and TransparentProxy). With the NETransparentProxy, I still need to implement HTTPS capture. Questions I’d appreciate help with: Can NETransparentProxy capture the DNS fields I need (dns_hostname, dns_query_type, dns_response_code, dns_answer_number, etc.), or do I need an additional extension type to capture DNS in plain text? If a separate extension is required, is it possible or problematic to include that extension type (Packet Tunnel / DNS Proxy / etc.) in the same SystemExtension Xcode target as the TransparentProxy? Any recommended resources or guidance on TLS inspection / MITM proxy setup for capturing HTTPS logs? There are multiple DNS transport types — am I correct that capturing DNS over UDP (port 53) is not necessarily sufficient? Which DNS types should I plan to handle? I’ve read that TransparentProxy and other extension types (e.g., Packet Tunnel) cannot coexist in the same Xcode target. Is that true? Best approach for delivering logs from multiple extensions to the main app (is it feasible)? Or what’s the best way to capture logs so an external/independent process (or C/C++ daemon) can consume them? Required data to capture (not limited to): All HTTP/HTTPS (request, body, URL, response, etc.) DNS fields: dns_hostname, dns_query_type, dns_response_code, dns_answer_number, and other DNS data — all in plain text. I’ve read various resources but remain unclear which extension(s) to use and whether multiple extension types can be combined in one Xcode target. Please ask if you need more details. Thank you.

Hello! 👋 I am noticing new failures in the iOS 18.5 Developer Beta build (22EF5042g) when calling the system call connect() (from C++ source, in network extension). When using cell/mobile data (Mint & T-Mobile) this returns with EINTR (interrupted system call) right away. When I switch over to wifi, everything works fine. Note: I have not tested on other mobile carriers; which could make a difference since T-Mobile/Mint are IPv6 networks. FWIW, this is working in the previous developer beta (18.4). Anyone have any ideas?

Question 1: After NetworkExtension is installed, when the software receives a pushed uninstall command, it needs to download the entire software but fails to uninstall this NetworkExtension. Are there any solutions? Question 2: How can residual, uninstalled NetworkExtensions be cleaned up when SIP (System Integrity Protection) is enabled?

We’re having an iPad issue accessing the local network with iPadOS 26.3. We have an automation system that tests our app on an iPad using accessibility tags. the XCTest test code sends messages from the iPad via TCP/IP to setup external test equipment. The messages abruptly stopped transmitting across the iPad blood-brain barrier with iPadOS 26.3 (26.2.1 and earlier works fine). The technique that worked involved installing a helper app with the same bundleID as our app, allowing the helper app to access the network, and when our app runs it has network access through the helper. It’s clever and kludgey. Forums that we referenced in the past: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/663858 TN3179: Understanding local network privacy | Apple Developer Documentation I suspect that something was changed in 26.3 that closed our window. I need two things: ID what is different in 26.3 and fix the automation system. If there’s a new way for XCUITest code to access the local network I’m happy to try it out.

Summary NetworkConnection<WebSocket> in iOS 26 Network framework throws POSIXErrorCode(rawValue: 22): Invalid argument when receiving WebSocket ping (opcode 9) or pong (opcode 10) control frames. This prevents proper WebSocket keep-alive functionality. Environment iOS 26.0 (Simulator) macOS 26.1 Xcode 26.0 Note: This issue was initially discovered on iOS 26 Simulator. The same behavior was confirmed on macOS 26, suggesting a shared bug in the Network framework. The attached sample code is for macOS for easier reproduction. Description When using the new NetworkConnection<WebSocket> API introduced in iOS 26 or macOS 26, the receive() method throws EINVAL error whenever a ping or pong control frame is received from the server. This is a critical issue because: WebSocket servers commonly send ping frames to keep connections alive Clients send ping frames to verify connection health The receive callback never receives the ping/pong frame - the error occurs before the frame reaches user code Steps to Reproduce Create a WebSocket connection to any server that supports ping/pong (e.g., wss://echo.websocket.org): import Foundation import Network // MARK: - WebSocket Ping/Pong EINVAL Bug Reproduction // This sample demonstrates that NetworkConnection<WebSocket> throws EINVAL // when receiving ping or pong control frames. @main struct WebSocketPingPongBug { static func main() async { print("=== WebSocket Ping/Pong EINVAL Bug Reproduction ===\n") do { try await testPingPong() } catch { print("Test failed with error: \(error)") } } static func testPingPong() async throws { let host = "echo.websocket.org" let port: UInt16 = 443 print("Connecting to wss://\(host)...") let endpoint = NWEndpoint.hostPort( host: NWEndpoint.Host(host), port: NWEndpoint.Port(rawValue: port)! ) try await withNetworkConnection(to: endpoint, using: { WebSocket { TLS { TCP() } } }) { connection in print("Connected!\n") // Start receive loop in background let receiveTask = Task { var messageCount = 0 while !Task.isCancelled { do { let (data, metadata) = try await connection.receive() messageCount += 1 print("[\(messageCount)] Received frame - opcode: \(metadata.opcode)") if let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) { print("[\(messageCount)] Content: \(text)") } else { print("[\(messageCount)] Binary data: \(data.count) bytes") } } catch let error as NWError { if case .posix(let code) = error, code == .EINVAL { print("❌ EINVAL error occurred! (POSIXErrorCode 22: Invalid argument)") print(" This is the bug - ping/pong frame caused EINVAL") // Continue to demonstrate workaround continue } print("Receive error: \(error)") break } catch { print("Receive error: \(error)") break } } } // Wait for initial message from server try await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(2)) // Test 1: Send text message (should work) print("\n--- Test 1: Sending text message ---") try await connection.send("Hello, WebSocket!") print("✅ Text message sent") try await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(1)) // Test 2: Send ping (pong response will cause EINVAL) print("\n--- Test 2: Sending ping frame ---") print("Expecting EINVAL when pong is received...") let pingMetadata = NWProtocolWebSocket.Metadata(opcode: .ping) try await connection.ping(Data()) { pingMetadata } print("✅ Ping sent, waiting for pong...") // Wait for pong response try await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(2)) // Cleanup receiveTask.cancel() print("\n=== Test Complete ===") print("If you saw 'EINVAL error occurred!' above, the bug is reproduced.") } } } The receive() call fails with error when pong arrives: ❌ EINVAL error occurred! (POSIXErrorCode 22: Invalid argument) Test Results Scenario Result Send/receive text (opcode 1) ✅ OK Client sends ping, receives pong ❌ EINVAL on pong receive Expected Behavior The receive() method should successfully return ping and pong frames, or at minimum, handle them internally without throwing an error. The autoReplyPing option should allow automatic pong responses without disrupting the receive loop. Actual Behavior When a ping or pong control frame is received: The receive() method throws NWError.posix(.EINVAL) The frame never reaches user code (no opcode check is possible) The connection remains valid, but the receive loop is interrupted Workaround Catch the EINVAL error and restart the receive loop: while !Task.isCancelled { do { let received = try await connection.receive() // Process message } catch let error as NWError { if case .posix(let code) = error, code == .EINVAL { // Control frame caused EINVAL, continue receiving continue } throw error } } This workaround allows continued operation but: Cannot distinguish between ping-related EINVAL and other EINVAL errors Cannot access the ping/pong frame content Cannot implement custom ping/pong handling Impact WebSocket connections to servers that send periodic pings will experience repeated EINVAL errors Applications must implement workarounds that may mask other legitimate errors Additional Information Packet capture confirms ping/pong frames are correctly transmitted at the network level The error occurs in the Network framework's internal processing, before reaching user code

Description : Our app helps users connect to Wi-Fi hotspots. We are trying to adapt our code to iOS 26 Hotspot Authentication and Hotspot Evaluation application extensions. When filtering hotspots in the filterScanList callback, we need to fetch support information from a remote server to determine which hotspots are supported. However, attempts to use URLSession or NWTCPConnection in the extension always fail. When accessing a URL (e.g., https://www.example.com), the network log shows: Error Domain=NSURLErrorDomain Code=-1003 "A server with the specified hostname could not be found." When accessing a raw IP address, the log shows: [1: Operation not permitted] Interestingly, NWPathMonitor shows the network path as satisfied, indicating that the network is reachable. Question: Are there any missing permissions or misconfigurations on our side, or are we using the wrong approach? Is there an official recommended way to perform network requests from an NEHotspotEvaluationProvider extension?

I want to track down which part of an app contacts a given domain listed in its App Privacy Report. Following the instructions given here I am able to capture a packet trace, but traffic to the domain in question is encrypted using QUIC. Is there a way to insert e.g. mitmproxy into the capture process in order to get hold of the SSLKEYLOGFILE so that I can decrypt the traffic?

Hi, I am trying to update an old prototype I made for tvOS using DNSServiceBrowse(). The target was tvOS 17. My old build from September 2023 still works fine: It can discover computers on the same local network as the Apple TV (simulator). However, now that I am using Xcode 16, the DNSServiceBrowse() callback (of type DNSServiceBrowseReply) receives the error code: -65570. The call to DNSServiceBrowse() itself returns no error, neither does the following call to DNSServiceProcessResult() — which actually triggers the call of the callback. I found nowhere in the Internet any list of possible error codes received by the callback, so I have no idea what it means. So, my first question is: What does this error code mean? (And is there any list of the possible errors somewehere, with their meaning?) Since it was a prototype, I have no provisioning profile defined for it. Could that be related to the issue? Since I will make a real app out that prototype (targeting tvOS 18), I will have to define a provisioning profile for it. Would a provisioning profile for the app solve the issue? If yes, are there any requirements for that profile that I should take into account to solve the issue? Thank you in advance for any help, Marc

Hey, We also opened a feedback assistant request, and also opened a ticket with Apple Developer Technical Support a while ago that notice the unmount problem also but it was before we pin point the problem to the Network Extension. After a further investigation, we've found out that the root cause of this problem is cause by having a network filter from the NetworkExtension provider on (Specifically we have tested with the NEFilterDataProvider) while having a Xsan volume. The NEFilterDataProvider causing problems for the Xsan, and is stalling the shutdown until we get a panic from watchdog timeout, and only then the mac is fully shutdown. The problem from what we investigated and also talked with you, is that the Xsan process can't unmount the volume and stuck. We have also noticed that if we install a network extension and allow the popup of the network filters, i.e enabled the NEFilterDataProvider the computer is stuck, and the finder is in a non responsive state until a reboot (Also probably due to the fact the Xsan is now in a problematic state). This tests was done on latest versions of MacOs 13 & 14. We have taken a sysdiagnose from the computer while we have tested. Do you familiar with the problem (We got no answer on the feedback assistant)? Thank you, Idan

Recently, my application was having trouble sending udp messages after it was reinstalled. The cause of the problem was initially that I did not grant local network permissions when I reinstalled, I was aware of the problem, so udp worked fine after I granted permissions. However, the next time I repeat the previous operation, I also do not grant local network permissions, and then turn it back on in the Settings, and udp does not work properly (no messages can be sent, the system version and code have not changed). Fortunately, udp worked after rebooting the phone, and more importantly, I was able to repeat the problem many times. So I want to know if the process between when I re-uninstall the app and deny local network permissions, and when I turn it back on in Settings, is that permissions have been granted normally, and not fake, and not required a reboot to reset something for udp to take effect. I'm not sure if it's the system, or if it's a similar situation as described here, hopefully that will help me find out

Device: iPhone 17 Series System: iOS 26.0.0 Wi-Fi: TKIP encryption protocol Question: Unable to join the network We have several products that are used by connecting to iPhone via Wi-Fi. Recently, many customers who have purchased the iPhone 17 series have reported that they are unable to connect to Wi-Fi. For Wi-Fi with TKIP encryption, after entering the password correctly to connect to the Wi-Fi, a pop-up appears stating "Unable to join the network.". Only Wi-Fi with WPA2-AES can be used normally. Before that, during the iPhone 11 era or even earlier, the TKIP encryption method was in normal use. However, the new iPhone models were incompatible with it, which obviously caused great inconvenience. I hope the engineers can fix this issue to support Wi-Fi with older encryption protocols.

Hello to all I have coded in swift a headless app, that launches 3 go microservices and itself. The app listens via unix domain sockets for commands from the microservices and executes different VPN related operations, using the NEVPNManager extension. Because there are certificates and VPN operations, the headless app and two Go microservices must run as root. The app and microservices run perfectly when I run in Xcode launching the swift app as root. However, I have been trying for some weeks already to modify the application so at startup it requests the password and runs as root or something similar, so all forked apps also run as root. I have not succeeded. I have tried many things, the last one was using SMApp but as the swift app is a headless app and not a CLI command app it can not be embedded. And CLI apps can not get the VPN entitlements. Can anybody please give me some pointers how can I launch the app so it requests the password and runs as root in background or what is the ideal framework here? thank you again.

Dear Apple Developer Support Team, I am writing to inquire about the process for obtaining approval for the following entitlement in my iOS/macOS app: <key>com.apple.developer.networking.networkextension</key> <array> <string>content-filter-provider</string> </array> Specifically, I would like guidance on: The steps required to submit a request for this entitlement. Any necessary documentation or justification that needs to be provided to Apple. Typical review timelines and approval criteria. Any restrictions or compliance requirements associated with this entitlement. Our app intends to implement a content filtering functionality to enhance network security and user safety. We want to ensure full compliance with Apple’s policies and guidelines. Could you please provide detailed instructions or point us to the relevant resources to initiate this approval process? Thank you for your assistance.

We have a VPN app that uses NEPacketTunnelProvider with includeAllNetworks = true. We've encountered an issue where push notifications are not delivered over Wi-Fi while the tunnel is active in a pre-MFA quarantine state (tunnel is up but traffic is blocked on server side), regardless of whether excludeAPNS is set to true or false. Observed behavior Wi-Fi excludeAPNS = true - Notifications not delivered Wi-Fi excludeAPNS = false - Notifications not delivered Cellular excludeAPNS = true - Notifications delivered Cellular excludeAPNS = false - Notifications not delivered On cellular, the behavior matches our expectations: setting excludeAPNS = true allows APNS traffic to bypass the tunnel and notifications arrive; setting it to false routes APNS through the tunnel and notifications are blocked (as expected for a non-forwarding tunnel). On Wi-Fi, notifications fail to deliver in both cases. Our question Is this expected behavior when includeAllNetworks is enabled on Wi-Fi, or is this a known issue / bug with APNS delivery? Is there something else in the Wi-Fi networking path that includeAllNetworks affects beyond routing, which could prevent APNS from functioning even when the traffic is excluded from the tunnel? Sample Project Below is the minimal code that reproduces this issue. The project has two targets: a main app and a Network Extension. The tunnel provider captures all IPv4 and IPv6 traffic via default routes but does not forward packets — simulating a pre-MFA quarantine state. The main app configures the tunnel with includeAllNetworks = true and provides a UI toggle for excludeAPNS. PacketTunnelProvider.swift (Network Extension target): import NetworkExtension class PacketTunnelProvider: NEPacketTunnelProvider { override func startTunnel(options: [String : NSObject]?, completionHandler: @escaping (Error?) -> Void) { let settings = NEPacketTunnelNetworkSettings(tunnelRemoteAddress: "127.0.0.1") let ipv4 = NEIPv4Settings(addresses: ["198.51.100.1"], subnetMasks: ["255.255.255.0"]) ipv4.includedRoutes = [NEIPv4Route.default()] settings.ipv4Settings = ipv4 let ipv6 = NEIPv6Settings(addresses: ["fd00::1"], networkPrefixLengths: [64]) ipv6.includedRoutes = [NEIPv6Route.default()] settings.ipv6Settings = ipv6 let dns = NEDNSSettings(servers: ["198.51.100.1"]) settings.dnsSettings = dns settings.mtu = 1400 setTunnelNetworkSettings(settings) { error in if let error = error { completionHandler(error) return } self.readPackets() completionHandler(nil) } } private func readPackets() { packetFlow.readPackets { [weak self] packets, protocols in self?.readPackets() } } override func stopTunnel(with reason: NEProviderStopReason, completionHandler: @escaping () -> Void) { completionHandler() } override func handleAppMessage(_ messageData: Data, completionHandler: ((Data?) -> Void)?) { if let handler = completionHandler { handler(messageData) } } override func sleep(completionHandler: @escaping () -> Void) { completionHandler() } override func wake() { } } ContentView.swift (Main app target) — trimmed to essentials: import SwiftUI import NetworkExtension struct ContentView: View { @State private var excludeAPNs = false @State private var manager: NETunnelProviderManager? var body: some View { VStack { Toggle("Exclude APNs", isOn: $excludeAPNs) .onChange(of: excludeAPNs) { Task { await saveAndReload() } } Button("Connect") { Task { await toggleVPN() } } } .padding() .task { await loadManager() } } private func loadManager() async { let managers = try? await NETunnelProviderManager.loadAllFromPreferences() if let existing = managers?.first { manager = existing } else { let m = NETunnelProviderManager() let proto = NETunnelProviderProtocol() proto.providerBundleIdentifier = "<your-extension-bundle-id>" proto.serverAddress = "127.0.0.1" proto.includeAllNetworks = true proto.excludeAPNs = excludeAPNs m.protocolConfiguration = proto m.localizedDescription = "TestVPN" m.isEnabled = true try? await m.saveToPreferences() try? await m.loadFromPreferences() manager = m } if let proto = manager?.protocolConfiguration as? NETunnelProviderProtocol { excludeAPNs = proto.excludeAPNs } } private func saveAndReload() async { guard let manager else { return } if let proto = manager.protocolConfiguration as? NETunnelProviderProtocol { proto.includeAllNetworks = true proto.excludeAPNs = excludeAPNs } manager.isEnabled = true try? await manager.saveToPreferences() try? await manager.loadFromPreferences() } private func toggleVPN() async { guard let manager else { return } if manager.connection.status == .connected { manager.connection.stopVPNTunnel() } else { await saveAndReload() try? manager.connection.startVPNTunnel() } } } Steps to reproduce Build and run the sample project with above code on a physical iOS device. Connect to a Wi-Fi network. Set excludeAPNS = true using the toggle and tap Connect. Send a push notification to the device to a test app with remote notification capability (e.g., via a test push service or the push notification console). Observe that the notification is not delivered. Disconnect. Switch to cellular. Reconnect with the same settings. Send the same push notification — observe that it is delivered. Environment iOS 26.2 Xcode 26.2 Physical device (iPhone 15 Pro)

I'm building a macOS network monitor using NEFilterDataProvider as a system extension, distributed with Developer ID signing. On macOS 26.3 (Tahoe), sysextd consistently rejects the activation request with "no policy, cannot allow apps outside /Applications" — despite the app being in /Applications and passing every verification check. I'm aware of the known Xcode NE signing bug (r. 108838909) and have followed the manual signing process from Exporting a Developer ID Network Extension. I've also tried both xcodebuild build and xcodebuild archive workflows — identical failure. Environment macOS 26.3 (25D125), SIP enabled Xcode 26.3 (17C529) Hardware Apple M2 Pro Certificate Developer ID Application (issued Jan 30, 2026 — 27 days old) MDM/Profiles None installed Signing & Verification (all pass) $ spctl -a -vv /Applications/Chakshu.app /Applications/Chakshu.app: accepted source=Notarized Developer ID origin=Developer ID Application: ROBIN SHARMA (R65679C4F3) $ codesign --verify --deep --strict -vv /Applications/Chakshu.app /Applications/Chakshu.app: valid on disk /Applications/Chakshu.app: satisfies its Designated Requirement $ xcrun stapler validate /Applications/Chakshu.app The validate action worked! App signing: Authority=Developer ID Application: ROBIN SHARMA (R65679C4F3) Authority=Developer ID Certification Authority Authority=Apple Root CA TeamIdentifier=R65679C4F3 Runtime Version=26.2.0 Notarization Ticket=stapled App entitlements: com.apple.application-identifier = R65679C4F3.dev.indrasvat.chakshu com.apple.developer.team-identifier = R65679C4F3 com.apple.developer.system-extension.install = true com.apple.developer.networking.networkextension = [content-filter-provider-systemextension] keychain-access-groups = [R65679C4F3.*] Extension signing: Same Developer ID authority, same team, same timestamp. Extension entitlements match (minus system-extension.install). Developer ID provisioning profiles are embedded in both app and extension. What sysextd logs Captured Feb 26, 2026 from log stream --predicate 'process == "sysextd"': sysextd [com.apple.sx:XPC] client activation request for dev.indrasvat.chakshu.filter sysextd attempting to realize extension with identifier dev.indrasvat.chakshu.filter sysextd (Security) SecKeyVerifySignature ← pass (×2) sysextd (Security) SecTrustEvaluateIfNecessary ← pass (×2) sysextd [com.apple.xpc:connection] activating connection: name=com.apple.CodeSigningHelper sysextd [com.apple.xpc:connection] invalidated after the last release sysextd no policy, cannot allow apps outside /Applications sysextd [com.apple.sx:XPC] client connection invalidated Signature and trust evaluation pass. CodeSigningHelper completes. Then the policy check fails. The app receives OSSystemExtensionError code 4 (extensionNotFound). What I've tried and ruled out Build process: Approach Result xcodebuild build -configuration Release + manual re-sign Same failure xcodebuild archive + export from archive + manual re-sign (per thread/737894) Same failure Minimal hand-crafted Xcode project (no xcodegen, trivial code) Same failure Both workflows follow Quinn's process exactly: build with Apple Development → copy app → embed Developer ID provisioning profiles → re-sign inside-out (extension first, then app) with -systemextension suffix entitlements → notarize → staple → install to /Applications. System-level checks: Rebooting — no change Killing sysextd — no change Removing com.apple.quarantine xattr — no change chown root:wheel on app bundle — no change lsregister -r (reset Launch Services) — no change Waiting 27 days for certificate propagation — no change Reinstalling via Finder drag-to-Applications — no change No MDM or configuration profiles installed /Library/SystemExtensions/db.plist shows extensionPolicies: [] (empty) Key observation Pre-existing network extensions activated before macOS 26 work fine on this machine. For example, Tailscale's NEPacketTunnelProvider shows state: activated_enabled in the system extensions database — it was activated on a prior macOS version and is still running. Only new system extension activations fail. I've seen similar Tahoe-specific reports from LuLu (same NEFilterDataProvider type, Developer ID distribution): LuLu #825 LuLu #831 Questions Is this a known regression in macOS 26's sysextd policy evaluation for new Developer ID system extension activations? sysextd's policy check fails after all signature and trust evaluation succeeds. Is there a separate trust/policy path that sysextd consults beyond what spctl, codesign, and CodeSigningHelper verify? Is there anything else I should be checking? I have a sysdiagnose captured immediately after the failure, a minimal reproducer project, and full raw sysextd logs available on request.