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

All subtopics
Posts under Code Signing topic

Post

Replies

Boosts

Views

Activity

Notarization is not ever finishing
Hello, I had a successful attempt at notarization earlier today in my build pipeline. I've been using the same system for building my macOS application for over a year now. However, subsequent builds seemed to fail. I found a couple similar topics which makes this seem not not an isolated incident: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/782950 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/783347 https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/783283 In my case I use the following command to submit the notarization: xcrun notarytool submit FilePath.dmg --apple-id "myappleid@gmail.com" --password "redacted_obviously" --team-id "my-team-id" --wait I left a previous run go for over an hour and the "Current status: In Progress.................. etc" filled the whole terminal. I manually checked the progress of the submissions using the command below: xcrun notarytool log --apple-id "myappleid@gmail.com" --password "redacted_obviously_again" --team-id "my-team-id" [run id] And they all result in the following output: Submission log is not yet available or submissionId does not exist Is anyone else experiencing this? Are there any possible solutions?
1
0
96
May ’25
KeyChain Error
I'm experiencing an issue when exporting an Enterprise distribution certificate where the certificate and private key won't export together - the private key keeps getting left out. I'm running macOS Tahoe. Has anyone encountered the same issue or know of a solution? Any help would be appreciated.
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: General
1
0
388
Dec ’25
Codesign in a CI environment (Sequoia)
Can someone please describe what is necessary to perform signing using codesign in a system that runs as LaunchDaemon. All workarounds like placing the codesigning cert + private key a custom keychain and unlock it in the session of the LaunchDaemon doesn't work anymore on Sequoia. Or are there alternatives for signing MachO binaries without codesign?
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: General
1
0
434
Feb ’25
Renaming notarized ZIP packages
Dear support team, is it possible to rename a notarized ZIP package and not to loose the notarized status? One of our ZIP package contains resources and binaries which are code signed. The archive itself is accepted after submitting and uploading during the notarization process (online notarization). Unfortunately, the ZIP cannot be stapled (offline verification). So, is the filename part of the notarized ZIP package or can a ZIP package be renamed? Best regards, Stefan
1
0
267
Dec ’25
Notarization Stuck for Signed .pkg Containing Screen Saver
Hey all, I’m experiencing a consistent issue with notarizing a signed .pkg file that contains a macOS screen saver (.saver) bundle. Nothing online so far except 1 thread on the form from the altool time pre-2023 so i thought it worth another update. Here is what I did: I signed the .saver bundle using my Developer ID Application certificate. I packaged it into a .pkg using pkgbuild with my Developer ID Installer certificate: I submitted the resulting .pkg via xcrun notarytool: xcrun notarytool submit saver-name.pkg --apple-id email@email.com --password [app-specific-password] --team-id xxxxxxxxx The submission appears to be accepted and uploads successfully. However, the notarization status remains stuck at “In Progress” for hours (over 12h), with no update. I also tried: Repackaging the .pkg with a new name using a zip Resubmitting it under a new submission ID All attempts are stuck in the same “In Progress” state indefinitely. Did anyone solve this yet?
1
0
94
May ’25
Notarization Fails: “The binary is not signed with a valid Developer ID certificate” for Flutter macOS App Plugins (file_picker, file_saver, url_launcher_macos)
Hi all, I’m trying to notarize a Flutter macOS app built in CI (GitHub Actions). The app builds and signs fine locally—codesign --verify --deep --strict and spctl --assess both pass. However, Apple’s notarization service consistently rejects the app with errors like: The binary is not signed with a valid Developer ID certificate: file_picker.framework The binary is not signed with a valid Developer ID certificate: file_saver.framework The binary is not signed with a valid Developer ID certificate: url_launcher_macos.framework What I’ve tried: Explicitly re-signing all frameworks with my Developer ID Application certificate and --timestamp Removing existing signatures before re-signing Ensuring correct entitlements and bundle identifier Matching the app bundle name and identifier in all places Using both codesign --deep and manual signing of each binary Local validation always passes, but notarization fails in CI Certificate: I am using a “Developer ID Application” certificate (not a “Mac Developer” or “Apple Development” certificate). The output of codesign -dvv for the problematic frameworks shows: Authority=Developer ID Application: [My Name/Team] ([Team ID]) So I believe I am not making the common mistake of using the wrong certificate type. CI Environment: GitHub Actions, macos-latest runner Flutter 3.27.2, stable channel All secrets (cert, Apple ID, app-specific password, team ID) are set up Questions: Has anyone encountered this with Flutter plugins or CI builds? Are there known issues with signing Flutter plugin frameworks for notarization? Is there a way to get more detailed feedback from Apple’s notarization service? Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I’m happy to provide logs, scripts, or a minimal project if needed. Thanks!
1
0
158
May ’25
How to obtain the certificate used to sign a CSR to then generate an MDM Push Certificate.
Hi All, I am building my own MDM server. It seems that in order for the MDM commands to function an MDM Push Certificate for the APNS framework. And in order to get the MDM Push Certificate from the Apple Push Certificates Portal (https://identity.apple.com/pushcert/) you need to upload your CSR usually provided and sign by the MDM Vendor of your choosing. I am familiar with this process. But now that I am the MDM Vendor, I am not sure where to get this MDM Vendor CSR Signing Certificate. I've already submitted a formal request via the "contact us" form. Apple's response pointed me to the documentation on Setting Up Push Notifications and the MDM Vendor CSR Signing Certificate help page (which I had already reviewed): https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/setting-up-push-notifications-for-your-mdm-customers https://developer.apple.com/help/account/certificates/mdm-vendor-csr-signing-certificate/ The issue is that these documents describe using the signing certificate, but not the process for obtaining it as a new, independent vendor. So does anyone know of a portal or method of generating this “MDM Vendor Certificate”? or maybe I'm going about this all wrong and there is a simpler way… the again, its apple, so I’m probably on the right path just beed a little direction please. (I am not sure where to get this MDM Vendor CSR Signing Certificate.)
1
0
198
Dec ’25
Missing code-signing certificate
*** Error: ERROR: [ContentDelivery.Uploader] Validation failed (409) Invalid Provisioning Profile. The provisioning profile included in the com.baiyun-shuniu.scss bundle [Payload/HBuilder.app] is invalid. [Missing code-signing certificate]. A distribution provisioning profile should be used when uploading apps to App Store Connect. (ID: e21c7a63-520f-49c5-8298-9afa3aa14dd5) 2025-05-13 09:23:20.382 INFO: [ContentDelivery.Uploader]
1
0
137
May ’25
Cosign issue
I am a new macOS developer, and the codesign issue is persistent. I've been trying to resolve it for days. There are two issues: 1.) When downloading and installing frameworks, they are not showing up in Xcode templates. 2.) Regarding codesigning, even though I've installed it on my external drive and placed it in various locations (Library, Templates, Frameworks, Application Contents, macOS Templates and Frameworks) and added through General Libraries in Xcode, persistently encountering issues. I'm experiencing a codesign problem. I've cleaned the build, cleared derived data, downloaded certificates, added them to the access key, and linked the binary. However, the issue persists. Please help me, as this is making the process much more difficult. I've been stuck on this for weeks.
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: General
1
0
368
Feb ’25
xcrun notarytool submit going on 48 hours "In Progress"
I've submitted my app four times, each time waiting a few hours for something to happen, then reducing the file size of my *.dmg and trying again. The first two seemed to have completed after 36 hours, but I no longer have that specific signed binary (and its a much smaller binary now anyway). The latest two are still "In Progress" and its almost been 48 hours. I know my process isn't wrong, and my app isn't somehow incorrectly built or being denied because two were accepted. The outage page shows green for the notary tool (https://developer.apple.com/system-status/) so I'm not sure what the hold up is.
1
0
171
Jan ’26
Possible bug in Capability Requests tab
Hello, Recently our team requested the "Notification (NSE) filtering" capability. Our request was rejected but we sent a new request with a more detailed explanation of our need. However if we go check the status of the request in the Capability Requests tab the status is "No requests". We sent the new request yesterday. Is it even possible to request a capability after a rejected request? We really need the capability and the absence of it is blocking our progress.
1
0
255
Sep ’25
In-House distribution Certificate about to expire
Hi, My understanding from this information: " https://developer.apple.com/support/certificates/ iOS Distribution Certificate (in-house, internal-use apps) Users will no longer be able to run apps that have been signed with this certificate. You must distribute a new version of your app that is signed with a new certificate. " is that even if I re-sign the app with a new Provisioning Profile based on a new Distribution Certificate the apps will stop working. I need to re-build my apps with a new Distribution certificate+Provisioning profile, when distributing in-house, right? I can see that the apps continue to function when I re-sign them with a new Provisioning Profile, but according to the information above they will stop working the day (day after) the Distribution certificate they were built with expires. /Rikard
1
0
129
Sep ’25
Notarize taking 24+ hours to complete
I have been notarizing the same program for 3 years now and it's usually completed in minutes. I have not changed anything on my end, is there a reason it's taking 24+ hours all of a sudden? I have seen the posts regarding this issue for new applications where it has to "learn", but I have been notarizing the same apps for 3 years now.
1
0
96
Apr ’25
Flutter iOS Widget Extension – CodeSign Failed (ActivityKit entitlement missing, cannot enable in Identifiers)
Hello everyone, I am developing a Flutter iOS application that includes a Widget Extension + Live Activity (ActivityKit). The project runs successfully on the iOS simulator when launched directly from Xcode, but it cannot be signed properly via Flutter and I cannot upload the build to App Store Connect due to the following CodeSign error: Command CodeSign failed with a nonzero exit code Provisioning profile "…" doesn't include the entitlement: com.apple.developer.activitykit.allow-third-party-activity This error never goes away no matter what I try. And the main problem is that my App ID does NOT show any ActivityKit or Live Activity capability in the Apple Developer portal → Identifiers → App ID. So I cannot enable it manually. However: Xcode requires this entitlement Flutter requires this entitlement When I add the entitlement manually in the .entitlements file, Xcode says: “This entitlement must be enabled in your Developer account. It cannot be added manually.” So I am stuck in a loop where: Apple Developer portal does not show ActivityKit capability Xcode demands the ActivityKit entitlement Signing fails App Store upload fails And Live Activity is a critical feature of my app What I have already done ✔ “Automatically manage signing” is enabled ✔ Correct Team is selected for both Runner and the Widget Extension ✔ Bundle IDs are correct: com.yksbuddy.app com.yksbuddy.app.TimerWidgetExtension ✔ Deleted Derived Data completely ✔ Tried removing all ActivityKit-related entitlement keys manually ✔ Deleted Pods, reinstalled, rebuilt ✔ App Group settings match between Runner and Extension ✔ The same Live Activity code works perfectly in a clean Xcode-only project ✔ But fails only inside a Flutter project structure ✔ Xcode builds & runs on simulator, but App Store upload always fails due to missing entitlement Core Problem: In my Apple Developer “Identifiers → App ID” page, the Live Activity / ActivityKit capability does NOT appear at all, so I cannot enable: Live Activities ActivityKit Third-party activity entitlement Without being able to enable this capability, I cannot create a valid provisioning profile that includes: com.apple.developer.activitykit.allow-third-party-activity Flutter + Xcode insists this entitlement must exist, but Apple Developer portal does not give any option to enable it.
1
0
338
Dec ’25
Electron app notarization fails "invalid signature" - local codesign passes
Unable to notarize Electron-based application. All notarization attempts fail with "The signature of the binary is invalid" for main executable and Electron Framework, despite passing local codesign verification. ENVIRONMENT: macOS: 24.6.0 (Sequoia) Hardware: Apple M4 Max (arm64) electron-builder: 26.0.12 Electron: 36.9.5 (also tested 37.10.2, 38.2.0) Certificate: Developer ID Application: AS LIVE MEDIA SP Z O O Team ID: 2KJ532SU3G Certificate validity: Oct 7 2025 - Oct 8 2030 PROBLEM: Every notarization submission fails with identical error for two binaries: Contents/MacOS/PresentClic Desktop Contents/Frameworks/Electron Framework.framework/Versions/A/Electron Framework Error message: "The signature of the binary is invalid." Architectures affected: Both x86_64 and arm64 CRITICAL CONTRADICTION: ✅ Local verification PASSES: $ codesign --verify --deep --strict "PresentClic Desktop.app" Result: valid on disk, satisfies Designated Requirement ❌ Apple notarization service FAILS: Error: "The signature of the binary is invalid" LATEST SUBMISSION ID: 11e1a452-4ea7-4562-ac8e-5e76c39eeb6c Local verification output shows all components validated: Electron Framework: validated ✅ All helper apps: validated ✅ All frameworks: validated ✅ Main executable: valid on disk ✅ Authority chain: Developer ID Application → Developer ID CA → Apple Root CA ✅ Timestamp: Present ✅ Runtime Version: 15.4.0 ✅ CONFIGURATION: Entitlements (build/entitlements.mac.plist): com.apple.security.cs.allow-jit: true com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory: true com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation: true com.apple.security.cs.allow-dyld-environment-variables: true com.apple.security.automation.apple-events: true Standard device/network/file entitlements Build configuration: hardenedRuntime: true gatekeeperAssess: false (tested both true and false) entitlements and entitlementsInherit: properly configured TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS ATTEMPTED (ALL FAILED): ✅ Updated electron-builder from 24.13.3 to 26.0.12 ✅ Downgraded Electron 38 → 37 → 36 ✅ Tested x86_64 and arm64 separately ✅ Regenerated certificate via Xcode (new cert generated 23/11/2025) ✅ Configured App Store Connect API for notarization ✅ Tested multiple entitlements combinations ✅ Manual component-by-component re-signing ✅ Removed all metadata files (._ files) ✅ Tested both ZIP and DMG formats ✅ Automatic electron-builder notarization ✅ Manual notarization via xcrun notarytool ✅ Custom afterSign hooks for re-signing ✅ gatekeeperAssess true and false ✅ Clean builds (removed dist/ directory) ALL attempts result in identical failure. Local codesign verification ALWAYS passes. QUESTIONS: Why does local codesign --verify pass but Apple notarization service fails? Is there a known issue with Electron Framework notarization on macOS Sequoia + Apple Silicon? 3. Are there undocumented requirements for Electron apps that could cause this? 4. Could this be a bug in the notarization service for this specific configuration? ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: Multiple notarization attempts over 24+ hours Different certificates, configurations, architectures - all fail identically No similar reports found in forums or GitHub issues Application functions correctly when Gatekeeper is bypassed This is blocking production distribution to macOS users This appears to be either: A bug in Apple notarization service for Electron apps An incompatibility between electron-builder 26 + Electron 36/37 + macOS Sequoia + Apple Silicon The fact that local verification passes but notarization fails suggests the issue is with the notarization service validation logic, not the actual code signatures. REQUEST: Need guidance on resolving this issue. Standard documentation and troubleshooting steps have not resolved the problem. Thank you for any assistance. Staszek Pliszko
1
0
201
Dec ’25
I can't distribute the build to Testflight
Hi the best community! When I try to submit the app to Testflight I receive the following error: "codesign command failed (/var/folders/j9/yh_rkh114rbgvmglf4gycj8w0000gn/T/XcodeDistPipeline.~~~OW0Dwk/Root/Payload/Application.app/Frameworks/Alamofire.framework: replacing existing signature /var/folders/j9/yh_rkh114rbgvmglf4gycj8w0000gn/T/XcodeDistPipeline.~~~OW0Dwk/Root/Payload/Application.app/Frameworks/Alamofire.framework: invalid or corrupted code requirement(s) Requirement syntax error(s): line 1:155: unexpected token: NPH )" I have never stuck with this issue before. Xcode Version 16.0 I assume that there is something related to code signing and our company name in App Store connect: Medical Institution “NPH” (The company name has been anonymized for privacy purposes.) Appreciate any help. Thank you!
1
0
104
May ’25
Notarization stuck on “In Progress” for hours
Hi everyone, I’m trying to notarize a macOS app for direct distribution in Xcode. The upload finished, but the notarization has been stuck on “In Progress” for hours. I’m not getting any emails or errors, and the status log in Organizer only shows the same “In Progress” message without any extra details. I tried reopening Organizer and creating a new archive, but it always ends up in the same state. Is this normal, or is there something I should check on my side? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
1
0
131
Nov ’25
After deploying our app, we encountered an issue where the app fails to launch properly on certain devices.
Hello, After deploying our app, we encountered an issue where the app fails to launch properly on certain devices. To rule out potential code issues, we created a new clean project and tested it with the basic setup (certificate, bundle ID, and team). The app installs and runs fine on most devices, but it fails to open immediately on specific models. (The affected model is listed below.) Version: iOS 18.3.1 Model: iPhone 14 Pro After reviewing the console logs, we found an issue related to the app launching process. Could this issue be related to the app's configuration or the provisioning profile? We would appreciate any insight into why this issue occurs only on certain devices. Thank you for your help!
1
1
448
Feb ’25
Issue with iOS group entitlements being recognized
I am making an iOS step counting app and I have included a widget in the design. I would like to get the widget to pull data from the main app to display step count etc so I created a bundle id for the widget and have been trying to use a group id to link them together. The group capabilities for both seem to be set up/enabled properly with the same App Groups id, but I've been getting an error in xcode which says, " 'Provisioning Profile: "BUNDLE_ID" doesn't include the com.apple.developer.security.application-groups entitlement.' Try Again But the identifiers do have the App Group id enabled. I have tried automatic signing, manual signing with generated profiles, unchecking and rechecking auto-signing, removing and re-adding the group capability. Creating a new bundle id from scratch, creating a new group id from scratch. Always I get the error. I've really pulled my hair out troubleshooting this and would appreciate support. I'm happy to answer and questions or share details. Thank you.
1
0
242
Dec ’25