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

After years, notarytool now cannot find Keychain item
For years, I've been shipping my apps with a Perl script that now invokes notarytool to get the notarization, using this command /usr/bin/xcrun notarytool submit --apple-id jerry@sheepsystems.com --keychain-profile SSYShipProduct --team-id 4MAMECY9VS --output-format json /Users/jk/blah/blah/MyApp.zip --wait I used this script with this command several times during September 2024 to ship my apps, and it worked. But now, the above command fails with: Error: No Keychain password item found for profile: SSYShipProduct Run 'notarytool store-credentials' to create another credential profile. Of course, I am now running later versions of macOS beta and Xcode than I was in September. Does anyone know the problem? Screenshots from Terminal and Keychain Access are attached. Thank you.
4
0
129
Apr ’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?
4
0
485
Nov ’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?
4
0
737
Sep ’25
Invalid Code Signing Entitlements
Hi, I have a .NET MAUI app which I've added subscriptions to using the Plugin.InAppBilling nuget package. When I tested on TestFlight I got an almost immediate crash. After doing some research I followed advice to add an Entitlements.plist file to Platforms > iOS with the following entry: com.apple.developer.in-app-purchase The distribution provisioning profile I'm using to sign my app has the App ID set to an Identifier which has "In-App Purchase" ticked, but greyed out in it's "Capabilities" section on https://developer.apple.com/. I'm not sure why it's ticked and greyed out, but I assume that means that "In-App Purchase" is enabled. The app runs file locally but when I create an IPA file and add it to Transporter for upload to App Store Connect I get the following error: "Validation failed (409) Invalid Code Signing Entitlements. Your application bundle's signature contains code signing entitlements that are not supported on iOS. Specifically, key 'com.apple.developer.in-app-purchase' in 'Payload/[Removed].app/[Removed]' is not supported. (ID: [Removed])". Here is the structure of my csproj code for creating a IPA file for iOS: The command I use: dotnet publish [Removed]/app.csproj -f:net9.0-ios -c:Release ^ /p:PlatformTarget=Arm64 ^ /p:RuntimeIdentifier=ios-arm64 ^ /p:ServerAddress=[Removed] ^ /p:ServerUser=[Removed] ^ /p:ServerPassword=[Removed] ^ /p:ArchiveOnBuild=true ^ /p:BuildIpa=true I'm stuck trying to figure this out. If you could please point out any issues with what I'm doing or if you have any suggestions to resolve the problem I would very much appreciate it. Thanks, Ben
4
0
599
Aug ’25
Codesign can't find keychain files (on M2 MacBook)
I've been distributing my Math Education app (Java-based) as a downloadable .dmg. My sw manufacturing process was working well on my Intel-iMac a year ago (signing, notarization, stapling). I need to support Apple Silicon, so I replicated the SW manuf. stack on my M2 MacBook, including putting my Developer and Installer Certificates in the Keychain Access. I get through building the M2,M2,M4 .dmg installer file just fine. But the Codesign is failing. It should be prompting me for my MacOS password (it does this in the Intel-Mac process), but fails this command: codesign --sign "Pierre Bierre (SL7L4YU8GT)" --force --options runtime --verbose --timestamp ~/DFG2D_MacOS_Manufacturing/MacOSInstallers/DFG2D_Mac_J17010_295 The response was: error: The specified item could not be found in the keychain. The signer reference is correct, and works fine on the Intel-Mac codesign process. What could explain why the same script fails in the M2 environment? Does codesign normally prompt for the MacOS user password ? Why would that fail?
4
0
280
Aug ’25
Xcode failed to provision target. File a bug report...
I do have background Modes added to Xcode. How can I fix this? Automatic signing failed Xcode failed to provision this target. Please file a bug report at https://feedbackassistant.apple.com and include the Update Signing report from the Report navigator. Provisioning profile "iOS Team Provisioning Profile: com.designoverhaul.bladerunner" doesn't include the com.apple.developer.background-modes entitlement. I emailed Dev Support but they said they cant help. Thank you.
4
0
302
May ’25
unzip identifier is not unique?
In Swift I'm using unzip by launching a Process to unzip a file. I added a launchRequirement to the process in order to make sure the executable is code signed by Apple and the identifier is com.apple.unzip. After testing out my code on another machines (both physical and virtual), I found out that in some the identifier is actually com.apple.zipinfo, which broke the SigningIdentifier requirement. It's safe to assume that /usr/bin/unzip can be trusted since it's in a System Integrity Protection (SIP) location, but I'm wondering why this executable has different identifiers?
4
1
173
Aug ’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
4
0
669
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.
4
1
886
Mar ’25
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.
4
0
973
Jul ’25
"this identity cannot be used for signing code"
When building to macOS on GameMaker, I get the error "this identity cannot be used for signing code" when using the Developer ID Installer certificate. The certificate was neither expired nor revoked, but nonetheless I created new certificates to start fresh but am still getting that error. I don't get issues building to iOS via GameMaker, just to macOS. If it makes any difference, I only noticed this issue started happening after I converted my Apple Developer Program account from an individual account to an organizational account, although it was weeks to months before I built to macOS via GameMaker before then, so I don't know if it correlates with that.
3
0
219
Apr ’25
FamilyControls App Blocking Not Working for External TestFlight Testers
Hi everyone, I'm following up on this post I made earlier about an issue I'm having with FamilyControls and the DeviceActivityMonitor extension not working for external TestFlight testers. To briefly recap: I have official Apple approval for the com.apple.developer.family-controls entitlement (distribution) The entitlement is added to both my main app and the DeviceActivityMonitor extension The App Group is correctly configured for both targets On internal TestFlight builds, everything works as expected: app blocking works, the extension runs, and selected apps are shielded. On external TestFlight builds, users get the Screen Time permission prompt, can select apps to block, but nothing is blocked. Since that post, I submitted a Code Level Support request, and Apple asked me to file a bug report via Feedback Assistant. I did that almost a month ago. The only reply I’ve received since is that they can’t give a timeframe or guarantee it will be resolved. I'm stuck in limbo with no updates and no fix. This feature is critical to my app and I cannot launch without it. I’ve reached out to other developers who use app blocking, and none of them have run into this issue. My setup seems correct, and Apple has not said otherwise. If anyone has experienced something similar, found a workaround, or knows how to get real movement on a bug report like this, I would really appreciate any help. It’s been weeks, and I just want to launch my app. Thanks so much.
3
0
239
May ’25
Getting a public service app not to send scary messages
I’ve developed a macOS app, but I’ve had trouble using a script to fully codesign it and package it into a .dmg file. I was only able to complete codesigning using the third-party app itself—not via command-line scripts. Is it possible to write a script that automates the entire process of codesigning the app? To provide the best user experience for those downloading the app outside of the Mac App Store, is it correct to first package it as a .app and then wrap that into a .dmg file for distribution? Currently, the app is available on the web as a .dmg. When downloaded, it appears in a folder and can be double-clicked to launch. However, macOS displays a warning that it was downloaded from the internet. Can I use a script to remove that quarantine warning? If possible, I’d appreciate a step-by-step explanation and a sample command-line script to: Codesign the app properly Package it into a signed .dmg Remove the quarantine attribute for local testing or distribution Is the reason I was only able to codesign it inside the third-party app due to how that app was built, or can this always be done from the command line?
Topic: Code Signing SubTopic: General
3
0
147
Apr ’25
Provisioning Profile Defect: App Attest Entitlement (com.apple.developer.app-attest.environment) Missing Despite Enabled Capability
Hello everyone, I'm facing a critical, blocking issue where my developer account (Team ID: K655PX7A46) is unable to generate a valid provisioning profile with the App Attest entitlement. I have confirmed this is a server-side issue and am hoping to get visibility from an Apple engineer who can investigate. The Problem: When I generate a provisioning profile for an App ID with the "App Attest" capability enabled, the resulting profile is defective. It is missing the required com.apple.developer.app-attest.environment key in its entitlements dictionary, causing Xcode to fail the build. What I Have Proven: The issue is not a misconfiguration. The App Attest capability is correctly enabled and saved on the App ID configuration page. The issue is not isolated to one App ID. I created a brand new App ID from scratch, enabled the capability during creation, and the server still generates a defective profile with the same missing entitlement. I have definitive proof by inspecting the downloaded .mobileprovision file. The contents confirm the required key is missing. Steps to Reproduce on My Account: Create a new App ID on the Developer Portal. Enable the "App Attest" capability and save. Generate a new "iOS App Development" provisioning profile for this App ID. Download the profile and inspect its contents via security cms -D -i [profile]. Observe that the com.apple.developer.app-attest.environment key is missing. The Evidence (Contents of the Defective Profile): Here is the output from inspecting the profile for a brand new App ID (com.technology519.linksi.app2). As you can see, the correct entitlement is missing, and an incorrect devicecheck entitlement is present instead. This is a critical bug in the provisioning profile generation service for my account that is blocking all development. I have already filed a support ticket (Case #102721408444) but have so far only received generic, unhelpful responses. Can an Apple engineer please investigate this server-side issue with my account? Thank you.
3
0
666
Oct ’25
how to handle setup for NFC without NDEF & PACE and still support iOS 15.0
We have NFC capabilties enabled for our app ID - com.uob.mightyvn but our minimum deployment target is 15.0. We do not have an option deselect PACE from provisioning profile. Hence, the validation is failed for IPA. Invalid entitlement for core nfc framework. The sdk version '18.2' and min OS version '15.0' are not compatible for the entitlement 'com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.formats' because 'NDEF is disallowed'
3
0
733
1w
Can't run app on iPhone after registered UDID
The device UDID was registered to the developer account 40 hours ago, the STATUS column was "processing" in the first 24 hours, then turned to empty. But I still can't run my app (with distribution method "development"), when I try to run it after download it through my OTA URL, it prompts “the app cannot be installed because its integrity could not be verified” but everything runs good on a iPhone which was registered a month ago. What should I do now? keep waiting?
3
1
809
Oct ’25
Notarization Taking 20 Hours (and still counting)
I'm developing an app using Electron Builder for a potential port to Windows in the future. I've had a heck of a time getting credentials to work and felt like I was in some sort of time loop doing the same things over and over again to no avail. I finally was able to sign my app, sign the .dmg and start the notarization process. That was last night and it still says "In Progress". If anyone is able to push it through, that would be awesome! (id: 2520e724-7069-408a-9ea4-60b23e8435a7) I saw another thread on here where people stated it was taking forever, I'm not sure if this is just because its my first time, but I was hoping to get a beta out to testers this weekend. I just need a version that doesn't get flagged as "Malware" by Gatekeeper. This is just for a standalone macOS application, not the App Store. Is there a reason that this process takes an absurd amount of time? Will it always be like this or is this just a fluke and it was a bad time to try?
3
1
476
Mar ’25
How can I export the "Notary Profile" used by notarytool for CI/CD
Once I have built my macOS .app and signed it I run notarytool using this simple shell script: #!/bin/sh ditto -c -k --keepParent "$1.app" "$1.zip" xcrun notarytool submit "$1.zip" --keychain-profile "Notary Profile for DeepSkyStacker" --wait xcrun stapler staple $1.app rm -f $1.zip How can I export that "keychain-profile" (notary profile) so I can use it in CI/CD actions? Clearly I don't wish to expose the full invocation of xcrun notarytool store-credentials.
3
0
199
Jun ’25
Notarization Always Fails, Now Stuck at Max Certificates, Can't Delete
Every recent attempt to create a Installer certificate has failed, and now we've hit the maximum. We can't revoke them either — the portal only shows "Download," not "Revoke." Xcode also fails with: "Signing Certificates Error: There is a problem with the request entity. You already have a current Developer certificate or pending certificate request." This is completely blocking notarization and distribution of our macOS app. Has anyone resolved this, or does it require Apple to intervene on the backend? (This is a relatively new issue, we have successfully done this in the past hundreds of times over the years.)
3
0
99
4d