MacOS app requires xattr -cr before launching #53
Description
Bug: macOS app requires xattr -cr before launching
Description
The macOS application FixYL.app cannot be opened normally.
Before launching, I must manually run:
xattr -cr /Applications/FixYL.app
Without this, macOS blocks the app or shows warnings such as:
"App is damaged and can’t be opened"
"Developer cannot be verified"
"App is from an unidentified developer"
This should not be required for end users.
Expected Behavior
The app should launch normally on macOS without requiring any terminal commands.
Actual Behavior
macOS marks the application as quarantined.
The app will not open unless extended attributes are manually removed using xattr -cr.
Steps to Reproduce
Download FixYL.app
Move it into /Applications
Attempt to open it
macOS blocks the launch
Run xattr -cr /Applications/FixYL.app
App works after that
Environment
macOS version: (e.g., macOS Sonoma 14.5)
Chipset: (Intel or Apple Silicon)
App version: (insert)
Likely Cause
The application bundle is not code-signed, notarized, or was zipped using non-macOS tooling (which causes the quarantine attribute to be applied).
Suggested Fix
Properly code-sign the app with a Developer ID certificate
Notarize the build using Apple’s Notary Service
Staple the notarization ticket to the app
Package the app using macOS (e.g., ditto -c -k or a DMG)
Once signed + notarized + packaged correctly, macOS will stop applying the quarantine flag and xattr -cr will no longer be needed.