Prioritize user privacy and data security in your app. Discuss best practices for data handling, user consent, and security measures to protect user information.

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Missing privacy manifest
Hi, The email attached states that we need to add GoogleToolboxForMac's missing privacy manifest. I received the attached report after running my app privacy report, however it is different and does not include GoogleToolboxForMac. I'm not sure if we need to add the privacy manifest for GoogleToolboxForMac alone or for both of them. If yes, what should I put in my privacy manifest for GoogleToolboxForMac? IS IT BELOW CODE NEED TO ADD IN PRIVACY MANIFEST OR IS IT BELOW CODE NEED TO ADD IN PRIVACY MANIFEST Please reply ASAP Regards, Viharshitha
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1.7k
Feb ’25
Retrieving certificates from System Roots keychain
Hi there, I'm continuing to build up the API on keychain, I'm trying to implement the ability to create an own certificate chain for validation purposes, similar to ssl. To this extent I need to retrieve the certificates from the System's stores but I can't seem to find a way to do this in code? Creating a query with kSecMatchTrustedOnly only returns certificates which are seemingly manually marked as trusted or otherwise just skips over the System roots keychain. As far as I understand using kSecUseKeychain doesn't work either, since (besides SecKeychain being deprecated) it only works with SecItemAdd.
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689
Dec ’24
SFAuthorizationPluginView and MacOS Tahoe
Testing my security agent plugin on Tahoe and find that when unlocking the screen, I now get an extra window that pops up over the SFAuthorizationPluginView that says "macOS You must enter a password to unlock the screen" with a Cancel (enabled) and OK button (disabled). See the attached photo. This is new with Tahoe. When unlocking the screen, I see the standard username and password entry view and I enter my password and click OK. That is when this new view appears. I can only click cancel so there is no way to complete authenticating.
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718
4w
Swift AES CBC 256 Encryption With Static 32bit Key and 32bit IV
We have the below Implementation in Android and the same has to be integrated into Swift. Key :- "d95acd54b4a821ff32c52825q931c194" IV :- "687b9509c25a34b8ad076346s8353d67" Here Both the Key and IV are 32 bits and below is the android code. public class AESEncryption { private static final String key = "d95acd54c6a821ff32c52825b931c194"; private static final String initVector = "687b9509c25a14b8ad076346d8353d67"; static byte[] bte = hexToBytes(initVector); public static String encrypt(String strToEncrypt) { try { CommonCode.showLog("log", bte.toString()); IvParameterSpec iv = new IvParameterSpec(bte); SecretKeySpec skeySpec = new SecretKeySpec(key.getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8), "AES"); Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/CBC/PKCS5PADDING"); CommonCode.showLog("IV after logs", iv.toString()); cipher.init(Cipher.ENCRYPT_MODE, skeySpec, iv); byte[] encrypted = cipher.doFinal(strToEncrypt.getBytes()); if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) { return Base64.getEncoder().encodeToString(encrypted).trim(); } else { return android.util.Base64.encodeToString(encrypted, android.util.Base64.DEFAULT).trim(); } } catch (Exception e) { CommonCode.showLog("Error while encrypting: ", e.toString()); } return null; } public static String decrypt(String strToDecrypt) { try { IvParameterSpec iv = new IvParameterSpec(bte); SecretKeySpec skeySpec = new SecretKeySpec(key.getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8), "AES"); Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/CBC/PKCS5PADDING"); cipher.init(Cipher.DECRYPT_MODE, skeySpec, iv); if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.O) { return new String(cipher.doFinal(Base64.getDecoder().decode(strToDecrypt))); } else { return new String(cipher.doFinal(android.util.Base64.decode(strToDecrypt, android.util.Base64.DEFAULT))); } } catch (Exception e) { CommonCode.showLog("Error while decrypting: " , e.toString()); } return null; } } How can we mimic the above in Swift? Here in Android they are using static byte[] bte = hexToBytes(initVector); to convert the 32bit IV into 16 bit Bytes Array I Have Tried the same approach on Swift below are the code snippet [Contents.swift](https://developer.apple.com/forums/content/attachment/60fab4f2-1496-4003-9f37-c195de95e94a)
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10k
Dec ’24
The application "Finder" does not have permission to open "(null)“ error message in macOS 15.1 when trying to open unsigned application
We get a "The application "Finder" does not have permission to open "(null)“" error message in macOS 15.1 when trying to open unsigned applications. Is this a known bug in macOS 15.1 ? If so any indications of whether it will be fixed in the future. In macOS 15.0.1 the workaround for launching unsigned applications still worked.
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6.5k
Nov ’24
Help with Passkey Registration & Authentication on iOS 17 (Credential Provider + Error Code 1004)
I’m implementing passkey registration and authentication in an iOS 17 app with a credential provider extension, but I’m running into an issue. Setup: I have a credential provider target configured. The app correctly shows the pop-up to register the passkey with my app. My Info.plist is set up properly. Issue: When the following function is triggered: override func prepareInterface(forPasskeyRegistration registrationRequest: ASCredentialRequest) { "code to generate registrationRequest..." let controller = ASAuthorizationController(authorizationRequests: [registrationRequest]) controller.delegate = self controller.presentationContextProvider = self controller.performRequests() } I get the following error: Domain=com.apple.AuthenticationServices.AuthorizationError Code=1004 I do not own the relying party domain (e.g., https://webauthn.io), so I cannot configure an apple-app-site-association file on the website. Question: How can I register and authenticate passkeys on any site that allows passkeys (such as webauthn.io) when I don’t control the webpage? Are there any workarounds or best practices for handling this in iOS 17? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
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693
1w
How is an iOS app on the App Store able to detect other apps?!?!
A client asked why we can't detect other apps installed on a device without an MDM profile, we explained this isn't possible due to privacy and security restrictions on iOS. A regular app cannot find other apps that are installed unless part of the same group. The client then told us to download SpyBuster (on the App Store) which somehow is collecting a list of Bundle IDs or names of all installed apps somehow. We were skeptical, but sure enough, the app showed us a list of apps we had installed. How is it doing this?!?! No MDM profile associated with the app. No special permissions requested. No access to anything shown in privacy & security in settings. Is there a special entitlement we're not aware of? Just seems like they must be using a private API call to get this info but that would of course mean it should be pulled from the App Store. We'd love to have this capability in our apps if it's legit and accepted by App Store review. Thanks!
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975
Jan ’25
How to verify that Apple logged-in user data is not lost after transfering the app?
When we transfer app A to app B, if we transfer the app but don't migrate the user to app B, will the user's previous tokens from app A be invalid? Is this failure real-time or will there be a buffer period to transfer users? If it is a live failure, we want to transfer some users during the transferation process to prevent accidents, and then test them. Is there a way to test it?
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694
Oct ’24
invalid_client
I'm trying to implement Apple Login using OAuth through the following URL: https://appleid.apple.com/auth/authorize I use the client_id parameter, which corresponds to the Service ID created under Identifiers in the Apple Developer portal. The problem is: an existing Service ID works fine, but when I create a new Service ID and try to use it, I get an invalid_client error as soon as the authorization window opens. I've double-checked everything, but I can't figure out what the issue is. Has anyone else experienced this or knows the cause? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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278
Jun ’25
EndpointSecurity app missing TCC authorization
Hi! I am trying to run the demo app(SampleEndpointApp) from the WWDC2020 presentation(link). Here are the steps I followed in order to run the app: I submitted a request for the Endpoint Security entitlement and got the approval from the Apple Support team. Created an identifier and assigned Endpoint Security capability. Updated the Bundle Identifier in ViewController.m and in the Extension target. Built and copied the app bundle to /Application folder. Ran the app, clicked "Install Extension" and got the confirmation message that everything went well. Looking into the logs, I see the following : (libEndpointSecurity.dylib) Failed to open service: 0xe00002d8: Caller lacks TCC authorization for Full Disk Access I keep getting the same message even after granting SampleEndpointApp Full Disk Access in Privacy & Security. System : macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Could you please assist me with this issue? Andrei
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612
Feb ’25
Access Unix Socket from App Sandbox
Hello, I want to access the Docker socket API from inside the macOS App Sandbox. The method queries the API using curl with --unix-socket. However, the Sandbox blocks the request, as shown by the log: curl(22299) deny(1) network-outbound /Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock Outgoing network traffic is generally allowed, but access to the Docker Unix socket is denied. Here’s the code I’m using: private func executeDockerAPI() -> String { let process = Process() let pipe = Pipe() process.executableURL = URL(fileURLWithPath: "/usr/bin/curl") process.arguments = [ "--unix-socket", "/Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock", "http://127.0.0.1/containers/json" ] process.standardOutput = pipe process.standardError = pipe do { try process.run() process.waitUntilExit() let data = pipe.fileHandleForReading.readDataToEndOfFile() if let output = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) { return output } else { return "Error while decoding" } } catch { return "Error running command: \(error.localizedDescription)" } } Is there any entitlement or sandbox configuration I’m missing to allow access to /Users/user/.docker/run/docker.sock from inside the sandbox?
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222
Jul ’25
Important item in Keychain seems to have disappeared (after years)
I had the following code in a program that I used to encrypt some important files. I haven't run it in a few years. It used to work, and now it seems the password is mysteriously gone from my Keychain! The return value is now errSecItemNotFound. I'm upset with myself for not backing up the key/password somewhere else. Is there anywhere this could be hiding? Did Apple move it somewhere? I know they created this "Passwords" app in recent years, but I don't see anything in there with the "account" string I used. I run the app from Xcode, so maybe it is in the "container" data somewhere? I do see keychain files under ~/Library. Maybe there is a way to look through old Time Machine backups. Ug. So stressful. Just looking for pointers on where the data might be, and why it might have disappeared. Unfortunately it was not a "guessable" password, it was a generated 256 bit key, base64 encoded. Perhaps I could crack that with brute force if I'm determined enough... public static func queryGenericPasswordAsString(account: String) throws -> String { let query: [String: Any] = [kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword, kSecMatchLimit as String: kSecMatchLimitOne, kSecAttrAccount as String: account, kSecReturnAttributes as String: true, kSecReturnData as String: true] var item: CFTypeRef? let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &item) guard status != errSecItemNotFound else { throw KeychainError.noPassword } ... }
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319
Mar ’25
Wifi and Power option while developing Mac OS X Authorisation Plugin.
Hi, I am working on Authorisation Plugin for Mac OS X and able to get going for most of the parts and taking inspiration from Jamf Authorisation Plugin repo https://github.com/jamf/NoMADLogin-AD. I have seen in project they are implementing logic for following. Connecting to Wifi Power management (Sleep, Restart, Power Off) Question: I was wondering these things need to be implemented or is there a way some components from Mac OS X could be integrated calling some API and I don't have to implement them and I see say a top bar where these items are viable as we see in default login screen. I have developed my own login screen and I do see it is all blank everything I have to implement from scratch. Trying luck here if any API is out there to reduce work, else no option but to implement all logic. I'll really appreciate if someone just could help me know such API's are present or not. In case there are will save lot of effort. Thanks,
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392
Mar ’25
Cannot configure Sign in with Apple – Save fails with 501 Not Implemented
Hello, I am unable to configure Sign in with Apple on my developer account. Whenever I try to: Enable/disable the Sign in with Apple capability in my App ID, or Configure a Service ID for web authentication, the portal does not save my changes. In the browser developer console, I consistently see this error: Request URL: https://developer.apple.com/services-account/v1/bundleIds/XXXXXXXX Request Method: PATCH Status Code: 501 Not Implemented This happens across all browsers (Safari, Chrome, Incognito) and even after clearing cache. It affects my entire account, not just one App ID. I have already tried: Creating a new Service ID → still fails. Creating a new App ID → still fails. Re-enabling the capability → save does not work. Different browsers and devices → same result. Has anyone else experienced this issue, and is there a known fix? Or is this something that Apple Developer Support needs to resolve at the account level?
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325
Aug ’25
Is it possible to launch a GUI application that is not killable by the logged in user
I'm trying to develop a GUI app on macOS that takes control of the screen so that user must perform certain actions before regaining control of the desktop. I don't want the user to be able to kill the process (for example via an "assassin" shell script that looks for the process and terminates it with kill). Based on this post it is not possible to create an unkillable process on macOS. I'm wondering, however, if it's possible to run the GUI process in root (or with other escalated privileges) such that the logged in user cannot kill it. So it's killable, but you need privileges above what the logged in user has (assuming they are not root). I'm not worried about a root user being able to kill it. Such an app would run in a managed context. I've played around with Service Background Tasks, but so far haven't found what I'm looking for. I'm hoping someone (especially from Apple) might be able to tell me if this goal is even achievable with macOS Sequoia (and beyond).
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123
May ’25
Validating Signature Of XPC Process
Quinn, you've often suggested that to validate the other side of an XPC connection, we should use the audit token. But that's not available from the XPC object, whereas the PID is. So everyone uses the PID. While looking for something completely unrelated, I found this in the SecCode.h file OSStatus SecCodeCreateWithXPCMessage(xpc_object_t message, SecCSFlags flags, SecCodeRef * __nonnull CF_RETURNS_RETAINED target); Would this be the preferred way to do this now? At least from 11.0 and up. Like I said, I was looking for something completely unrelated and found this and don't have the cycles right now to try it. But it looks promising from the description and I wanted to check in with you about it in case you can say yes or no before I get a chance to test it. Thanks
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7.8k
Aug ’25
Certificate exceeds maximum temporal validity period
I have code where we're evaluating SSL certificates in sec_protocol_options_set_verify_block. We have the following code: let secTrust = sec_trust_copy_ref(trust).takeRetainedValue() isValidCertificate = SecTrustEvaluateWithError(secTrust, &error) I'm getting the error that the maximum temporal validity period has been exceeded: Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-67901 "“server.com” certificate is not standards compliant" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=“server.com” certificate is not standards compliant, NSUnderlyingError=0x300ddd350 {Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-67901 "Certificate 0 “server.com” has errors: Certificate exceeds maximum temporal validity period;" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Certificate 0 “server.com” has errors: Certificate exceeds maximum temporal validity period;}}} When I inspect the certificate, it's valid for 394 days (4/16/2024 through 5/15/2025) and other than being a wildcard certificate, should be fully trusted. I can't find any information about this specific error. Is Apple requiring SSL certs to be less than 398 days now? Which brings me to the second part - we're OK using this to workaround it var trustFailureExceptions: CFData? = SecTrustCopyExceptions(secTrust) SecTrustSetExceptions(secTrust, trustFailureExceptions) But I haven't found anyway to be able to inspect trustFailureExceptions to ensure it only is this specific error. I'm concerned that otherwise this is going to open up validity exceptions for any certificate problem, which is definitely not what I want to do.
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963
Dec ’24
Application is not able to access any keychain info on application launch post device reboot
Before device Reboot: Here no issue from keychain. 2025-06-17 11:18:17.956334 +0530 WAVE PTX [DB_ENCRYPTION] Key successfully retrieved from the Keychain default When device is in reboot and locked (Keychain access is set to FirstUnlock) App got woken up in background SEEMS(NOT SURE) DEVICE STILL IN LOCKED STARE IF YES THEN WHICH IS EXPECTED 2025-06-17 12:12:30.036184 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR>: [OS-CCF] [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error while retriving Private key -25308 default 2025-06-17 12:15:28.914700 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR> [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error retrieving key from the Keychain: -25300 default —————————————————— And as per logs, here user has launch the application post unlock and application never got the keychain access here also. HERE STILL HAS ISSUE WITH KEYCHAIN ACCESS. 2025-06-17 12:52:55.640976 +0530 WAVE PTX DEBUG : willFinishLaunchingWithOptions default 2025-06-17 12:52:55.651371 +0530 WAVE PTX <ALA_ERROR> [DB_ENCRYPTION] Error retrieving key from the Keychain: -25300 default
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139
Jul ’25
Local Authentication & localized reason string
In a project I was using Local Authentication to authenticate a user. When I got a request to support smartcard/PIV token authentication (which Local Authentication does not support), I had to switch to Authorization Services, which works pretty. There's only one issue I have. Local Authentication's evaluatePolicy:localizedReason:reply: requires a reason in the form "&lt;appname&gt;" is trying to &lt;localized reason&gt;. The app is currently translated into 41 languages and I would like to use the localized strings for the AuthorizationEnvironment of Authorization Services as well. The problem is that Local Authentication prefixes the localized string with something like "&lt;appname&gt;" is trying to and Authorization Services does not do this. Is there a way to get this prefix from somewhere so I can manually add it to the (partially) localized string? Any help would be highly appreciated. Thank you, Marc
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804
Feb ’25