Demystify code signing and its importance in app development. Get help troubleshooting code signing issues and ensure your app is properly signed for distribution.

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Unable to validate with app sandbox issues
My app is a Safari extension. When trying to validate the app, I get the following error: App sandbox not enabled. The following executables must include the "com.apple.security.app-sandbox" entitlement with a Boolean value of true in the entitlements property list: [( "app.rango.Rango.pkg/Payload/Rango for Safari.app/Contents/MacOS/Rango for Safari" )] Refer to App Sandbox page at https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/app_sandbox for more information on sandboxing your app. I don't know why this is happening. I have app sandbox enabled in both the app and the extension target. I have both entitlement files. When executing codesign -d --entitlements :- /path/to/binary I get the following: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "https://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"><plist version="1.0"><dict><key>com.apple.security.app-sandbox</key><true/><key>com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-only</key><true/><key>com.apple.security.get-task-allow</key><true/><key>com.apple.security.network.client</key><true/></dict></plist> If I check on Activity Monitor, on the sandbox column it shows true. I have no idea why I keep getting this error when all indicates that the app is actually sandboxed.
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574
Feb ’25
Mac App Packaging
Can someone please explain why Mac app packaging is so farcically convoluted? Windows app packaging can be picked up in an hour or so. But I've spent longer trying to fathom how to package the Mac version than I did building the app. And it's not done with me yet. Every single line of code requires a deep dive into a new, unrelated skillset. So, it’s sidebar after sidebar. Kafka’s ‘The Trial’ comes to mind. Why does it have to be like this?
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473
Nov ’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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158
Jun ’25
Error when updating system extension
I'm currently observing a problem similar to this thread https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/737334 The difference is that this is happening after updating a system extension. Basically same error, sysextd complains it can not check that the system extension is notarized: macOS Error 3 + Error code=-67050. I think macOS (Sequoia 15.3.2 or 15.7.2 if it matters) is wrong in this case for the following reasons: when using spctl assess -t install, the system extension is reported to be correctly notarized. when restarting the Mac, the updated system extension is correctly checked and staged. if I run spctl assess before sysextd tries to check the system extension, it works. I'm currently thinking of 2 reasons why the check does not work: sysextd is somehow trying to work with a cached assessment that has become invalid after the system extension was updated. macOS needs way more time between the update of the files and the request to update the staged extension. I tried adding a 5-second delay. This does not seem to work or at least reliably. I tried just touching the system extension, no positive result. Unfortunately, in macOS Sequoia, it is not possible anymore to reset-default using spctl and see if it solves the issue, at least the next time the update is performed. [Q] Is there some magic operation that would help macOS correctly check the notarization of an updated system extension?
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Notarization takes almost a week
Hi everyone! I've send my .dmg file for notarization, it has been accepted on March 5. Since then there weren't any updates, it hasn't changed its status. What might be the problem? Info about submission: createdDate: 2025-03-05T12:13:18.802Z id: 202d877d-d0c4-4211-bba4-6ebdb169a843 status: Accepted
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356
Mar ’25
Code signing for local, dev/staging, and production
We have a MacOS application that we plan on distributing standalone (it'll be installed through MDM or directly, not through the app store). We utilize endpoint security and full disk access for this (enterprise) app. I have a makefile that uses codesign to sign the app inside-out. All that appears to work (i.e., when I try to run the app directly it functions as I expect it to). What's the recommended way to allow the developers in my team to also sign the app for local development so it functions as close as possible to production? My first thought is to distribute the developer identity to their machines using MDM. However, ideally i'd like to rule out the ability for a developer who has the MDM profile assigned to export the keys. That really only leaves a centralized solution in place or disabling SIP on their system (which I don't want to do). Alternatively, would creating a separate identity for production make more sense, so that in the case the developer certificate is revoked, the production releases continue to function as normal (however, I assume this would also require creating two different profiles for the endpoint security entitlement--one for each certificate). Thanks! Derek
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503
Feb ’25
Test my app without ADP membership
Hello community, I'm new here, so please excuse my blunt question. I'm trying to understand how everything works and the logic behind it. I have an idea for an app which requires the FamilyControl entitlement. Now I am not sure if the idea even works, so I wanted to test it on my own device. Am I correct, that I cannot even test an App with such entitlements without paying for the ADP? Not even on my own device? I completely understand I need to be a member in the ADP if I want to distribute my app, but I'm not there, yet, and I just want to do a proof-of-concept. I thought I can't be the first one with that question, but couldn't find a past topic on this, so I'm posting it. Regards, Niklas
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656
Jul ’25
Cloud Signing via Developer ID doesn't seem to work with Admin API Keys
Hi, I'm having a really hard time figuring out why I cannot perform cloud signing via Developer ID with xcodebuild. I have a macOS application, which I can perfectly cloud sign the following way: Sign into Xcode with my Admin + Account Holder Apple ID. Delete my Developer ID Application certificate from Keychain Access. In Xcode, click Archive. When archived, click "Distribute App" in Xcode Organizer. The app is cloud signed. I prove this by extracting the certificate codesign --extract-certificates -- /path/to/app.app then locate the 1.2.840.113635.100.6.1.32 bit mentioned by Quinn in this post. I however do it by simply opening the certifiacte with Keychain Access, where I can investigate the content of the certificate, rather than use that tool he does. Then, I do the following to attempt to cloud sign via xcodebuild: Create an API Key for the whole team in Users and Access > Integrations > App Store Connect with the "Admin" role selected. Download the private key .p8 file to ~/Downloads. Sign out of my Apple ID in Xcode by removing the account in Settings > Accounts. Create an archive: xcodebuild archive -scheme "<redacted scheme name>" -archivePath ~/Downloads/archive.xcarchive -authenticationKeyIssuerID <redacted issuer id> -authenticationKeyID <redacted key id> -authenticationKeyPath ~/Downloads/AuthKey_<redacted key id>.p8 -allowProvisioningUpdates The archive is successfully created, with a new "Apple Development: Created via API (TEAM ID)" naming. Export the archive: xcodebuild -exportArchive -archivePath ~/Downloads/archive.xcarchive -authenticationKeyIssuerID <redacted issuer id> -authenticationKeyID <redacted key id> -authenticationKeyPath ~/Downloads/AuthKey_<redacted key id>.p8 -allowProvisioningUpdates -exportOptionsPlist ~/Downloads/exportOptions.plist -exportPath ~/Downloads which then fails: 2025-03-07 10:27:58.706 xcodebuild[2152:40704] [MT] IDEDistribution: -[IDEDistributionLogging _createLoggingBundleAtPath:]: Created bundle at path "/var/folders/tn/yy7ynz3d0yb4p3sd_5q_wl0h0000gn/T/<redacted app name> macOS_2025-03-07_10-27-58.706.xcdistributionlogs". error: exportArchive Cloud signing permission error error: exportArchive No signing certificate "Developer ID Application" found ** EXPORT FAILED ** Opening the distribution logs, I find this in the Provisioning Log: 2025-03-07 09:09:58 +0000 2025-03-07 09:09:58 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): 2025-03-07 09:09:58 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): Sending request 84E57539-BC1D-407A-8402-7BCE9F2FD100 to <https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/xcbuild/v1/certificates> for session DVTServicesTeamBasedSession <issuer: <redacted issuer id>; key identifier: <redacted key id>>. Method: POST Headers: { Accept = "application/vnd.api+json"; "Accept-Encoding" = "gzip, deflate"; Authorization = "Bearer <redacted bearer token>"; "Content-Length" = 116; "Content-Type" = "application/vnd.api+json"; "User-Agent" = Xcode; "X-HTTP-Method-Override" = GET; "X-Xcode-Version" = "16.2 (16C5032a)"; } Payload: {"urlEncodedQueryParams":"teamId=<redacted team id>&filter%5BcertificateType%5D=DEVELOPER_ID_APPLICATION_MANAGED&limit=200"} 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): Received response for 84E57539-BC1D-407A-8402-7BCE9F2FD100 @ <https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/xcbuild/v1/certificates>. Code = 0 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): 2025-03-07 09:09:59 +0000 IDEProvisioningRepair(<redacted app name>.app): Response payload: { "errors" : [ { "id" : "3d09690a-e26f-497f-b576-25104064387e", "status" : "403", "code" : "FORBIDDEN_ERROR", "title" : "This request is forbidden for security reasons", "resultCode" : 7495, "detail" : "You haven't been given access to cloud-managed distribution certificates. Please contact your team's Account Holder or an Admin to give you access. If you need further assistance, contact Apple Developer Program Support at https://developer.apple.com/contact/." } ] } Which is really weird, since I am using an API key with Admin rights. If I create a new key, and use it only for this command, App Store Connect does show the "Last Used" date as today after running the command. I thought some time might need to pass, but the issue has been persisting since yesterday. What could be wrong here? I do have a managed Developer ID Application certificate showing in my account but I still can't retrieve it with an Admin right imbued API key.
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823
Mar ’25
“In Progress” status stuck for over 2 days with no result
Successfully received submission history. history ...... -------------------------------------------------- createdDate: 2025-10-19T18:34:47.472Z id: d3248896-7841-421e-9470-101df9d0da21 name: ... status: In Progress -------------------------------------------------- createdDate: 2025-10-19T18:12:45.325Z id: e5822fa0-5bcf-4610-81fc-9f541e8ad189 name: ... status: In Progress
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296
Oct ’25
Generate Provisioning Profile that includes MusicKit Entitlements
Hi folks, I'm trying to generate a provisioning profile that includes both Healthkit and MusicKit entitlements. The healthKit pieces if fine, and included in the profile. However, despite selecting Musickit under services in the ID setup, the entitlement doesn't seem to be included in the profile. Other steps taken: Setup the app in App Store Connect, generated a media ID and Key. Tried both automatic and manual signing. Are there specifics tricks to getting this one to work?
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719
Sep ’25
Unable to install Audio App Extension on iOS Device
I keep getting this error when trying to install Audio app extension. Everything is reviewed from certificates to profiles, for some reason CreatingCustomAudioEffects sample is deployed correctly but when Creating new Project (Audio Extension App) from new project Option, it doesn't work at all. If I remove Extension from Frameworks and deploy app, then no problem but then App crashes as extension is missing. Something wrong with Xcode? I am pretty sure it used to build new projects but not anymore. Failed to verify code signature of /var/installd/Library/Caches/com.apple.mobile.installd.staging/temp.0k1RXy/extracted/AudioUnitsAppExtensionTest.app : 0xe8008015 (A valid provisioning profile for this executable was not found.) Please ensure sure that your app is signed by a valid provisioning profile. If this issue persists, please attach the following when sending a report to Apple: A sysdiagnose from this Mac A sysdiagnose from the device failing installation An IPA of the app failing installation
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668
Feb ’25
All notarization submissions stuck "In Progress" for 24+ hours — first-time Electron app
I'm submitting my first macOS app (an Electron app, signed with Developer ID Application certificate and hardened runtime) for notarization using xcrun notarytool submit with App Store Connect API key authentication. All 6 of my submissions have been stuck at "In Progress" for over 24 hours now. The oldest submission is 27+ hours old. None have transitioned to Accepted or Invalid. Here's what I've verified: Code signing is valid: codesign --verify --deep --strict passes Hardened runtime is enabled Uploads succeed: Each submission receives a valid submission ID and the file uploads successfully to Apple's servers API key auth is working: Using App Store Connect API key (.p8 file), Key ID, and Issuer ID Tried both locally and via GitHub Actions CI — same result Polling Apple's status endpoint eventually times out with NSURLErrorDomain Code=-1001 "The request timed out" when checking https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/notary/v2/submissions/<id> Logs are not available (notarytool log returns "not yet available" for all submissions) Apple Developer System Status shows "Developer ID Notary Service" as Available Submission history: createdDate: 2026-02-04T20:27:16Z — status: In Progress createdDate: 2026-02-04T16:45:18Z — status: In Progress createdDate: 2026-02-04T13:40:23Z — status: In Progress createdDate: 2026-02-04T12:29:52Z — status: In Progress createdDate: 2026-02-04T11:26:36Z — status: In Progress createdDate: 2026-02-04T11:21:39Z — status: In Progress Entitlements used: com.apple.security.cs.allow-jit com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation com.apple.security.network.client com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write This is my first time notarizing any app on this developer account. I've seen other threads mentioning that first-time submissions can be "held for in-depth analysis," but 24+ hours with no feedback at all seems excessive. Is anyone else currently experiencing this? Is there anything I can do to unblock my account's notarization queue, or do I just need to wait? Any guidance from DTS would be greatly appreciated. I've also emailed Apple Developer Support but haven't received a response yet.
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6m
App Store code signing show "Beta Profile"
I encountered code signing issue with Apple Distribution certificate for both iOS and MacCatalyst. The app crashes with "Beta Profile". I followed this instruction to manually re-sign my ipa to confirm that I use the Apple Distribution and the correct Provisioning Profile. https://gist.github.com/WDUK/4239548f76bd77b2c4b0 When I double click on the Apple Distribution certificate in KeyChain Access, it shows "Extension: Apple Mac App Signing (Development)" and "Extension: Apple Developer Certificate (Submission)" I have been stuck in this issue for more than a month. I really need help because I do not know how to proceed further. Thank you.
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968
Jul ’25
Unable to remove certificate from xcode
I have two certificates in my Accounts>Manage Certificates section. One is active, the other is greyed out with a status of "Not in Keychain". I only have ONE certificate in the developer account online. Timeline: Had an issue with fastlane codesigning and was trying to resolve that. In that attempt I deleted my related Certificates from my keychain Xcode showed them as disabled (greyed out) and not in Keychain. Look up how to resolve, need to revoke certificates in Developer account online. I go and revoke those certificates. Nothing changes I create new certificate and try to add it to xcode>account>certificate managment>"Apple Development". Get an error saying I can't add a new can't do that because a certificate is already pending. I waited a day because I assumed like somethings with apple, updates are not immediate. I come back the next day and am able to add a new certificate. However, the previous one that is greyed out and reads "Not in Keychain" under Status, is still there. How do I remove that "Not in Keychain" certificate? I emailed developer support and they directed me here.
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380
Sep ’25
Error 65 upon stapling - cannot reset trust settings
Hi, I'm getting error 65 upon stapling and I am suspecting that non-default trust settings may be the reason as outlined here: Unfortunately whatever I do, I can't seem to reset the trust settings to their default values (removing the blue/white "+"), I'm not being asked for credentials upon closing the certificate window. I have also tried to unlock the System Roots key chain, to no avail. Also, when running security dump-trust-settings -d I get Number of trust settings : 0 for all certificates. Any ideas as to what I may be doing wrong? Is there any other setting that may be involved? Thanks!
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93
Mar ’25
Code Signing - Invalid Signature - Special Characters in Name, Team Name and Address
I was trying to put my game to test flight. I would test features like ads and in-app-purchases, then put on the Appstore(release). The game already works on Ipad. For test flight, the "automatically manage signing" option was enabled. Then I pressed the "archive" button. Built succeeded. Then I clicked the distribute button. That time, I had an error. "Upload failed, Invalid signature, App is not properly signed". I researched, and found special characters in name, team name and address can make errors. My name, address and team name have special characters(turkish). If it will be resolved, I want to re-write(fix) my name, team name and address. I already tried to change my name, team name and address from apple developer website but failed. They are asking a document of my identity of my new name but I didn't changed my name and address. Overall, there aren't any other facts that cause this issue as I know. If I send my current, unchanged identity and home address, could they allow to change(fix) them? On Console Log: DangerNo.app/DangerNo: ID : 6cfa13a9-685c-4df9-86dd-7506d67be8c5 DangerNo.app/Frameworks/UnityFramework.framework/UnityFramework: ID : 2b63aacc-9caf-453c-913f-bae0db14d363 My App ID : 6744022885 Error : Invalid Binary rejection email indicating a corrupted code signature was detected. Explanation : Invalid Signature - Make sure you have signed your application with a distribution certificate, not an ad hoc certificate or a development certificate. Verify that the code signing settings in Xcode are correct at the target level (which override any values at the project level). Additionally, make sure the bundle you are uploading was built using a Release target in Xcode, not a Simulator target. If you are certain your code signing settings are correct, choose "Clean All" in Xcode, delete the "build" directory in the Finder, and rebuild your release target.
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170
Apr ’25
Notarization.
Hi, I've code-signed my app and notarized it, and created a DMG, and when I slacked it or airdropped it to someone for testing the FIRST time they open it, they get a warning that it was Slacked or airdropped to them and do they want to open it. if they say yes everything is fine. So looking through here someone said I need to sign the app and then make a dmg and sign the dmg and then send that for notorization and then staple that. So I did, and I still get a warning the first tie someone try's to run it. What am I doing wrong? I know I can buy software and not get a warning from apple. so how do I get my app to work correctly like that?
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162
Mar ’25
Notarising two builds of the same app
I have built my application for arm and x64 so I have two files called DeepSkyStacker.app in different directories. I have followed the instructions to notarise the arm version of the app, but an concerned about what I should do to notarise the other one - do I just zip that up and then run: xcrun notarytool submit "DeepSkyStacker.zip" --keychain-profile "Notary Profile for DeepSkyStacker" --wait xcrun stapler staple DeepSkyStacker.app again or will that mess everything up? Related to that can I use the Notary Profile I created for DeepSkyStacker to notarise other apps that are part of the same product (DeepSkyStackerLive and DeepSkyStackerCL)?? Thanks David
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128
Apr ’25
Signed app can't be verified
I've signed an app, zipped it, and uploaded it to github. When I download it on another Mac, I get "it can't be opened because it could not be verified for malware". But on that computer, I can verify it with codesign, and it appears to be correct (as far as I can tell). I can copy/paste the app from my other Mac, and that copy will run without problem. sys_policy, however, gives: Notary Ticket Missing File: ReView.app Severity: Fatal Full Error: A Notarization ticket is not stapled to this application. Type: Distribution Error This is the same for the copy that runs, and the copy that doesn't. The difference between them appears to be a quarantine xattr. I can delete this, and the app launches without incident. Is this expected? Why should a signed app be quarantined just because it's been downloaded? The whole point of paying the fee is to avoid the security obstacles...! ;-)
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659
1w
Unsuccessful at distributing standalone version of the simulator
Hello, I have this simulator made in Unity that I want to distribute as Standalone. It consists of launcher which, when users download it, downloads the game. I've built the launcher, got Developer ID Application certificate, added entitlements from: https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/macoscodesigning.html#signing-identity I've signed the .app of the launcher and 2 dlls chatgpt recommended to sign, zipped it, notarized .zip successfully, stapled to .app and put it on Google Drive to test. I got my other MacBook Pro, downloaded the zip, tried to open it. It did open, but there is a black loading screen saying "0% progress, 0B/0B" indicating that it isn't downloading anything - no network calling. When checked using command xattr -l path/to/file.app I get the following output: com.apple.macl: @?????I???|???? com.apple.quarantine: 0083;67bf1a22;Safari;69764595-CA94-44D2-B679-A69DC4669382 There are some specifics I think are also important to mention. I tried to code-sign it, notarize it and staple it using only Terminal and I'd like to keep it that way because I am very unfamiliar with Mac so I've avoided using Xcode as much as possible I really want to avoid putting the simulator up on the App Store, so I must have Standalone solution and Standalone solution only I believe that there might be problem with needing right entitlements, but I don't know how to check which one's are needed for users to avoid using "xattr" command in terminal to allow the launcher to run because of GateKeeper I've been banging my head against the wall with this problem for over a month and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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576
Feb ’25