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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"How to" for dext distribution
I have a DriverKit system extension (dext) that uses PCIDriverKit. I would like to get the build environment straightened out to successfully distribute the dext and associated software to end users. There are three types of software involved: The Dext-hosting application - this is the application that must be installed to /Applications/, and will perform the registration of the dext. The dext is deployed "within" this application, and can be found in the /Contents/Library/SystemExtensions folder of the app bundle. The dext itself - this is the actual binary system extension, which will be registered by its owning application, and will operate in its own application space independent of the hosting application. Additional applications that communicate with the dext - these are applications which will connect to the dext through user clients, but these applications do not contain the dext themselves. There are multiple locations where settings need to be exactly correct for each type of software to be signed, provisioned, and notarized properly in order to be distributed to users: developer.apple.com - where "identifiers" and "provisioning profiles" are managed. Note that there are differences in access between "Team Agent", "Admin", and "Developer" at this site. Xcode project's Target "Signing & Capabilities" tab - this is where "automatically manage signing" can be selected, as well as team selection, provisioning profile selection, and capabilities can be modified. Xcode project's Target "Build Settings" tab - this is where code signing identity, code signing development team, code signing entitlements file selection, Info.plist options and file selection, and provisioning profile selection. Xcode's Organizer window, which is where you manage archives and select for distribution. In this case, I am interested in "Developer ID" Direct Distribution - I want the software signed with our company's credentials (Team Developer ID) so that users know they can trust the software. Choosing "automatically manage signing" does not work for deployment. The debug versions of software include DriverKit (development) capability (under App ID configuration at developer.apple.com), and this apparently must not be present in distributable provisioning. I believe this means that different provisioning needs to occur between debug and release builds? I have tried many iterations of selections at all the locations, for all three types of binaries, and rather than post everything that does not work, I am asking, "what is supposed to work?"
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2.5k
Nov ’25
Notary service down again?
Is the Notary service unavailable again? The system-status page shows it as being green but I am back to receiving the same error as previously which fixed itself once the notary service went green again and I am unable to notarize and staple my Distribution PKG.
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523
Nov ’25
Notarization queue stuck — all submissions remain “In Progress” after assisting another team
Hello Quinn and Apple Developer Support, We are encountering an issue where our notarization queue appears to be stuck, and we would greatly appreciate your help. A few days ago, we assisted another team by submitting their app for notarization using our own Apple Developer account, because their own notarization attempts were getting stuck. However, the submission we made for them under our account has now been stuck in the “In Progress” state for about 5 days. Later, their own submission (using their account) was rejected after 2–3 days, but our submission for them (under our account) has never completed. Since then, all our subsequent notarization requests have also remained “In Progress”, which strongly suggests that the stuck submission is blocking our entire notarization queue. Here are the details from our submission history: xcrun notarytool history --apple-id "xxx" --team-id "xxx" --password "xxx" Partial results: id: 0bafa66f-4f47-4327-811f-a05481be5d0b status: In Progress id: 2d00b75a-a17a-44fc-afa1-71e0e39ec2cd status: In Progress The first ID is our own app’s submission. The second ID belongs to the submission we made for the other team. Both have been stuck in “In Progress” for several days, which seems abnormal. Could you please help us clear or reset the notarization queue for our account so that we can continue submitting our own apps? Thank you very much for your time and assistance! Best regards, gongcj
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167
Nov ’25
Some of the apps I have developed are being flagged as malware
I have a free developer account, and I have been creating applications. When I tried to open one of them, it said that this app has been flagged as malware. It is not malware, so I don't know why it has been flagged as this. Not just this app, but suddenly a whole bunch of my apps have been flagged as malware as well! The app I have been developing is basically a windows Taskbar for my macbook air, and it has been working well until the latest update i made where it hides in full screen, suddenly it started taking up significant energy, so i reverted to an older version while i was fixing it. Then, when i try to open it another time, it starts to open, and it says "Malware Blocked and Moved to Bin" “Taskbar.app” was not opened because it contains malware. This action did not harm your Mac”. All versions of the taskbar now contain this message. I try opening some of my other apps, a shared storage client and a shared storage server (where i was testing with app groups), and they couldn't open either, the same malware message appeared. ProPermission couldn't open either (changes permissions on files for me so i don't have to use the terminal or finder). I can run these apps through the Xcode environment (attached process), but when I archieve it into an app bundle, the malware flag appears. Please note that I am certain that these apps do not contain malware, apparently XProtect has incorrectly flagged my apps as malware. Because I do not have the paid developer account, I cannot notarize my apps. I am using MacOS Tahoe 26.1 with Xcode 26.0, and I have tested it with a iMac Intel 2017 with MacOS Ventura.
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316
Nov ’25
Notarization submission times out.
I am currently having issues uploading my app to appstoreconnect.apple.com/notary/ for notarization. It times out after hanging for a while. I get the following error. 13:42:04 "LocalDataTask <D84AED32-B05B-4439-8BDC-40C0F89B89F1>.<1>" 13:42:04 ), NSLocalizedDescription=The request timed out., NSErrorFailingURLStringKey=https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/notary/v2/asp?, NSErrorFailingURLKey=https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/notary/v2/asp?, _kCFStreamErrorDomainKey=4})
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305
Nov ’25
App ID Prefix Mismatch When Updating Old iOS App (2010) - "An App ID with Identifier is not available"
Hi all, I'm a solo iOS developer trying to update an app I released in 2010. My current Team ID is Q37598Q8GE, but the app's original App ID uses an old prefix, YHX995W43P. When I try to create a new App ID with the original Bundle ID (eu.andela.woordenes) to generate a new distribution provisioning profile, I get the error:An attribute in the provided entity has invalid value An App ID with Identifier 'eu.andela.woordenes' is not available. Please enter a different string. I understand this might be due to the old prefix from pre-2011, when Apple allowed multiple prefixes per account. I still have access to the app in App Store Connect and want to push an update, not create a new app. How can I resolve this?Can I reuse the existing App ID (eu.andela.woordenes with prefix YHX995W43P) for a new provisioning profile, or do I need to match my current Team ID (Q37598Q8GE)? If the Bundle ID is already taken by my current app, how do I update the app without changing the Bundle ID? Any steps to fix the prefix mismatch in Xcode or App Store Connect?
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971
Nov ’25
Persistent Code Signing Failure (HTTP 403) After Accepting Apple Developer Agreement
Hi everyone, We're experiencing a critical and persistent code signing failure (HTTP 403) after accepting the latest Apple Developer Agreement, blocking our application release. Problem: Despite confirming the new Apple Developer Agreement is signed and active on the portal, code signing attempts return an HTTP 403 error, stating a "required agreement is missing or has expired." Steps Taken: Accepted new Apple Developer Agreement. Verified active developer membership and valid certificates (good for years). Cleared caches, restarted systems. Confirmed Team ID, Apple ID, and provisioning profile validity. Any help is greatly appreciated, its been stuck for more than 2 days now.
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258
Nov ’25
App Packaging: bundle format unrecognized, invalid, or unsuitable
I am trying to package a Filemaker 18 Runtime app. A week ago, I managed to get 90% of the way towards doing as much, using MS Copilot as a guide. Unfortunately, due to my confusion over the landing stage files, I decided to start the process from scratch. This time, I fell at the first stage: Code Signing my .app Bundle. The Terminal command: codesign --deep --force --verify --verbose \ --sign "Developer ID Application: ME (V********)" \ "/Users/Me/Documents/Apps/MyApp/Runtime/MyApp/My App.app" Returned the error: /Users/Me/Documents/Apps/MyApp/Runtime/MyApp/My App.app: bundle format unrecognized, invalid, or unsuitable In subcomponent: /Users/Me/Documents/Apps/MyApp/Runtime/MyApp/My App.app/Contents/Frameworks/FMWrapper.framework No matter how many separate elements within the bundle I sign, I encounter the same error message. A few days ago, the identical command worked first time. I would be obliged for any help you can provide. Thanks.
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319
Nov ’25
Provisioning profile entitlements
Hi, I am developing a iOS app with Packet Tunnel Provider Network Extension. I manage signing manually. I created a distribution provisioning profile. Then when I archive and click "validate" I get this error: Your application bundle's signature contains code signing entitlements that are not supported on iOS. Specifically, value 'url-filter-provider' for key 'com.apple.developer.networking.networkextension' So I run security cms -D -i profiles/vpn_distribution.mobileprovision and I see there <key>Entitlements</key> <dict> <key>com.apple.developer.networking.networkextension</key> <array> <string>app-proxy-provider</string> <string>content-filter-provider</string> <string>packet-tunnel-provider</string> <string>dns-proxy</string> <string>dns-settings</string> <string>relay</string> <string>url-filter-provider</string> <string>hotspot-provider</string> </array> Where are those coming from. My entitlement file has <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>com.apple.developer.networking.networkextension</key> <array> <string>packet-tunnel-provider</string> </array> <key>com.apple.security.application-groups</key> <array> <string>group.my-app-group</string> </array> </dict> </plist> What is happening here. How can I get a provisioning profile that only has the entitlements that I actually need?
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223
Nov ’25
How to use the WebAssembly (wasm) binary module in macos App
During the release of our macOS App, we encountered the following issue: We need to support dynamic code loading of WebAssembly (wasm) inside our App, mainly by loading WebAssembly (wasm) binary modules. We discovered a problem: a wasm file is neither an executable nor a bundle, so it cannot be code-signed. Since our App needs to pass notarization, we have not set the com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory entitlement. Without setting com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory, loading a wasm module results in an “unsigned code” error that causes the process to crash. Could you please advise on what we should do to avoid this problem? Is it possible to apply for a special entitlement to allow com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory?
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549
Nov ’25
App Packaging: Error: HTTP status code: 403
Coming from Windows, I'm finding Mac app packaging farcically complicated, to the level of a Python sketch. I mastered Windows packaging, via Inno, in an hour or so, but it has taken me, on and off, the best part of a week to get to the point I am at with the Mac OS, and I'm nowhere near finished (rather, it hasn't finished with me). Every time I surmount one hurdle, another pops up, seemingly just for the jollies. I'm currently stuck at: 'Error: HTTP status code: 403. A required agreement is missing or has expired. This request requires an in-effect agreement that has not been signed or has expired. Ensure your team has signed the necessary legal agreements and that they are not expired.' My account lists no agreements in this category. I understand the need for security, but not the labyrinthine nature of the process. An inner-party member in the former Soviet Union overheard a drunken Stalin say, “I trust no one; not even myself". Apple trusts no one, but has true contempt for developers. Is there a simple way to work through the packaging process? Let me rephrase that: please God, let there be a simpler way of working through the process! Regards, in extremis, Richard
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1.4k
Oct ’25
Building macOS apps with Xcode 26 on macOS 26 VM
I'm trying to setup a macOS 26 build environment in a VM (using UTM and the virtualization framework Apple provides). I have Xcode 26 installed and have logged into my Apple ID and verified that the team and other configuration looks fine in Xcode settings. When trying to build the macOS app, I see errors saying the VM's device ID has not been registered. I have confirmed that the device ID is registered both in the Provisioning portal AND the downloaded .provisionprofiles (in Library > Developer > Xcode > UserData). This problem appears on multiple targets (e.g. the main app and extensions). If I try to manually provision the app, using the Provisioning portal, I can build the product, but it will not launch because of Gatekeeper issues. Finally, signing to run locally doesn't work either. As the app launches, frameworks refuse to load because Team IDs don't match. With ad hoc provisioning, there are no Team IDs. I've come to the conclusion that this just isn't possible. Which is a shame because I need to support products with a build environment on macOS 15 and cannot move over to macOS 26 yet. I suspect many developers outside of Apple are in a similar position.
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8.6k
Oct ’25
Automatic Signing failed and Provisioning profile is missing the activitykit
I am a professor at the Mercer University School of Medicine (Macon, GA) and I teach a stress reduction course for first year medical students. I am developing an app to allow the students to trace their mediations as well as time them. Using ChatGPT with Xcode, I was able to get all the features in the app working except that the stopwatch timer would not continue when the iPhone goes to sleep. When ChatGPT made some changes, the build failed because automated signing failed and the com.apple developer.activity kit entitlement is missing I don’t see Live Activities in the capability section of signing & Capabilities and I don’t know how to fix the provisioning profile. How can I get help for this? Thank you!
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411
Oct ’25
iOS App Exists after launch
Hello, my iOS apps are exiting right after launch on a few of our iOS devices. I tried a couple of my apps that are deployed to our fleet and they do the same thing. If I run the app(s) in the Simulator it works fine and if I run the app(s) on the offending devices it works fine as well. Once I stop the run in Xcode the app on the device will not launch. I'm thinking something is missing like a certificate etc. Just not sure. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot this? I would really like to get this fixed.
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406
Oct ’25
Notarization Stuck "In Progress"
Hello Colleagues, We have been seeing a delay in our Apple notarization submission that hangs for hours "in progress" without completing: This issue has been occurring since Friday, October 17th. We have also checked the Apple System Status page and there is no indication of any outage for Apple notarization.
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196
Oct ’25
Unable to Staple Notarization Ticket – SSL Certificate Mismatch for oscdn.apple.com
Hello Apple Support, While attempting to staple a notarization ticket for our signed installer package, the stapler command fails with Error 65. Upon investigation, we found that connections to oscdn.apple.com present an SSL certificate issued to a248.e.akamai.net, which does not include oscdn.apple.com in its Subject Alternative Name (SAN). This mismatch prevents our macOS environment from validating tickets and completing the stapling process. Steps tried: Verified notarization status (Accepted). DNS flushed, tried different DNS (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1). curl to oscdn.apple.com consistently fails with SSL error 60. Please advise on resolving this certificate mismatch. also when I try to run the stapler command with my pkg "xcrun stapler staple/Users/mactest/Desktop/IPMPlus_Macos_Installer.signed.pkg" getting the output like :- Processing: /Users/mactest/Desktop/IPMPlus_Macos_Installer.signed.pkg Could not validate ticket for /Users/mac-test/Desktop/IPMPlus_Macos_Installer.signed.pkg The staple and validate action failed! Error 65. please help Thank you.
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567
Oct ’25
Unable to test my apps, crashing with provisioning profile validation
Since around September (iOS 26 release), i'm unable to test my app normally. It says "internet connection is required to verify [my certificate id]", or just crashing. All terms and conditions accepted, everything is valid, certificates are OK. Reinstallation via xcode does not help. Removal of provisioning profile, generating new does not help. Revoking of certificate and generating new does for around week, then it happens again, but do i need to do it every week now? In logs i see the following: default amfid validation failed because of missing trust and/or authorization (0xe8008026) error amfid not valid: 0xe8008026: The provisioning profile requires online authorization. error amfid Unexpected MISError (0xe8008026): The provisioning profile requires online authorization. default +0300 amfid /private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/5B8E560E-75B2-46EF-8606-02072D99E9CF//Frameworks/oss.dylib not valid: Error Domain=AppleMobileFileIntegrityError Code=-400 "An unknown error was encountered" UserInfo={NSURL=file:///private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/5B8E560E-75B2-46EF-8606-02072D99E9CF//Frameworks/oss.dylib, NSLocalizedDescription=An unknown error was encountered} default kernel AMFI: code signature validation failed. It looks like apple validation servers are not working, or is it iOS bug? All provisioning profiles are showing like "valid" in apple developer center. My network is not behind a proxy, connection is direct. If use EXACTLY the same app, signed with the same provisioning, same signature, on another test device, it works! When i reset current device to default settings and installing the EXACTLY same app after it, it works as well. Looking for a help from apple developer support
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159
Oct ’25