Hi everyone,

This thread is not about an issue with X-Plane per se, but with Mac OS X 10.15 "Catalina".  I'm sure I'm not the only one who will run into this problem in the future, and was hoping the more tech-savvy members can lend a hand.

The other day I made the mistake of updating my computer to Mac OS 10.15 "Catalina".  Very fancy and all, but now I cannot run X-Plane without getting at least 40 warnings saying "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware."  The two only options are "Move to trash" or "Cancel".

Of course, I hit "Cancel" because moving the file to the trash won't help.  Even if you hit cancel, when you want to fly you have zero plug-ins and thus, the ZiboMod 737 and other things don't work.

As this is a MacOS problem I went to the security and privacy preferences you can only select "Allow apps downloaded from App Store" or "Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers".  Given that most developers in the X-Plane world are not "identified" by apple, I seem to have hit a dead end.

Does anyone know how to get around this?  It's going to be a real problem if the OS doesn't allow all the mac.xpl files to function.  Please refer to the attached screenshots.

Thanks in advance.

Sandro

I am currently having the same problem, but I have found a solution.

While X-Plane is loading, open System Preferences. Go to Security and Privacy, When ever there is an on-screen prompt, click 'cancel' then click "Allow" in System Preferences. You will have to do this a lot before it will run smoothly.

13 hours ago, jmsantafe said:

While X-Plane is loading, open System Preferences. Go to Security and Privacy, When ever there is an on-screen prompt, click 'cancel' then click "Allow" in System Preferences. You will have to do this a lot before it will run smoothly.

That's word for word what I did, and now after two or three times using X-Plane it runs without any other issues. Hence, I second this solution.

Thank you both @Jmsantafe and @Hornet18 for your help and input.

I tried what you mentioned and still got the warnings the next time I opened X-Plane, so I did a bit of research and found this:

https://www.imore.com/how-open-apps-anywhere-macos-catalina-and-mojave 

The solution explained in said link involves using Terminal which for some folks may be risky.  However, it seemed to remove almost all the warnings.

I'll keep on looking for a solution, but if in the meantime someone has another solution, that would be great.

Thanks again.

I normally don’t comment on these topics, but when I hear people blaming a Mac or the MacOS for the cause of a problem I sometimes have to chime in.  I am a certified software and hardware engineer and been doing this since 1976 when home computing basically started.

This problem is not a problem with the MacOS Catalina. Apple uses a security program called GateKeeper. This program tries to keep out all the Malware and virus prone apps and software from entering your system. This is why Apple computers don’t have to go thru constant daily security updates like you do with the PC’s and the Microsoft OS. It’s a security layer. Laminar/X-Plane mostly uses the Mac in their program development. They are a certified developer and thus GateKeeper allows them into your computer. I only see third party programs and plugin developers having this problem. If these developers re-certify or do the verification process the problem goes away. So if you want to put your Mac into the same security problem arena as a Microsoft PC, go ahead and disable GateKeeper. I don’t suggest it. I would just through the process that “jmsantafe” above did. This is what I do anytime I get this pop up with any software that has not been certified by a developer. I also run Symantec/Norton internet Verify as a just incase. 
Just an FYI. Starting with Catalina, all software used on a Mac must be 64 Bit. 
Happy flying everyone.

7 hours ago, Sandro Rota said:

I tried what you mentioned and still got the warnings the next time I opened X-Plane

If the same thing that happened to me is happening to you, it'll keep displaying warnings for the next few openings of X-Plane, but it won't be long before it stops.

Thank you, Kfalken for the input.  Further research made me aware that the issue is indeed with Gatekeeper, and given the risks involved I will follow the advice given by Hornet18 and jmsantafe.

Thanks again for the help and comments.

Cheers.

I am having the same problems, curious how many times you had to reload till Zibo runs smoothly? I no longer get the prompts while loading but the plane is unusable at the min.

57 minutes ago, danielmack said:

I am having the same problems, curious how many times you had to reload till Zibo runs smoothly? I no longer get the prompts while loading but the plane is unusable at the min.

20, 30 times; it all depends on the add-ons you have installed.

You will have to do this on every third party enhancement or add on if they cannot be verified. The third party stuff you think you need will have to go thru this process if they cannot be verified.  It would be nice if Laminar would require every enhancement or add on be verified and tested by them before being allowed to be used with their XPlane product. Of course that would be impossible for them to do. Most products produced in the Microsoft world are easily hacked and Trojan Horses attached. A good example is Java. Been around a long time, but warning after warning of possible malware and viruses accompany it all the time. GateKeeper doesn’t like it and warns you. I had to have it for one on the Payware planes I have installed. Had to go thru the security process to allow it and was never bothered with the message again.. Now when I need to update it I’m warned that this is being downloaded from the internet and asked if I trust it. I say yes and I see nothing agin until I need to install another update. I also get warnings when any livery or scenery pack is downloaded from a google server.
So basically if you installed 30 third party add ons or enhancements you will have to do it for everyone of them if they are not verified. You should only have to do it one time unless you update a particular program. 

Happy flying

Gave up and had Catalina removed in Apple store. Up and running perfectly 

I have had the same problem and have been fighting with a couple of software developers over this. X-plane.com sayd it's up to these developers to make there programs compatible with OS Catalina. Which I think is the correct answer. I had one developer tell me I was the only one having this difficulty. Ah...maybe I am the only one that has complained (admittely in a brute force manner) to you. There is no central point to complain about this. Other than some mickey mouse procedure you have to do with the Terminal app (and it still doesn't totally fix the problem) I have basically dumped some pay ware aircraft (I can always re-download later)that just don't work well under OS Catalina. I happen to have F-4U Corsair for X-plane 11 and that is one pay ware aircraft that does work. Then again, no plugins. So I am basically not going to purchase any more third party anything until this gets fix. I shouldn't have to jump through hoops to make software I paid for work. I think to be a certified Apple developer (and thus let your software work) takes big $$$ (or whatever currency you live under). That is the bottom line. It's sad because Apple has been warning software developers of thisnew security protocol for some time. Feedback is welcome.

In the Security & Privacy pane. Have you got under Full Disk Access X-Plane Checked?

 

 

Yes I do.

Have any of you guys had problems with the FlyJSim 727. I cannot even get the installation to the registration phase. The plan loads but will not operate very well.

I am having this exact same problem for the skyline-simulations.com KLGB airport add-on. The process of opening Security & Privacy worked twice ... after that, X-Plane would not start. I got caught in a persistent loop in which macOS said X-Plane crashed. My only options were to report the problem to Apple and Restart X-Plane. Re-starting X-Plane just brought me back to the same X-Plane crash warning ... wash, rinse, repeat.

Disappointing as I really wanted to use Skyline's KLGB and KSNA airport add-ons.

Note: Skyline doesn't even bother to respond to support e-mails requesting help. smh.:(

Screen Shot 2020-03-20 at 3.09.32 PM.png.pdf

Edited March 25, 20205 yr by TBoltP-47

On 11/2/2019 at 3:27 PM, Kfalken said:

I normally don’t comment on these topics, but when I hear people blaming a Mac or the MacOS for the cause of a problem I sometimes have to chime in.  I am a certified software and hardware engineer and been doing this since 1976 when home computing basically started.

This problem is not a problem with the MacOS Catalina. Apple uses a security program called GateKeeper. This program tries to keep out all the Malware and virus prone apps and software from entering your system. This is why Apple computers don’t have to go thru constant daily security updates like you do with the PC’s and the Microsoft OS. It’s a security layer. Laminar/X-Plane mostly uses the Mac in their program development. They are a certified developer and thus GateKeeper allows them into your computer. I only see third party programs and plugin developers having this problem. If these developers re-certify or do the verification process the problem goes away. So if you want to put your Mac into the same security problem arena as a Microsoft PC, go ahead and disable GateKeeper. I don’t suggest it. I would just through the process that “jmsantafe” above did. This is what I do anytime I get this pop up with any software that has not been certified by a developer. I also run Symantec/Norton internet Verify as a just incase. 
Just an FYI. Starting with Catalina, all software used on a Mac must be 64 Bit. 
Happy flying everyone.

Thanks for this information, quite important indeed.

May I ask you a question then? For the carenado caravan I had to allow / authorize 2 mac.xpl files by making the workaround suggested here https://carenado.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037519054-Have-problems-using-Catalina-OS

Is it safe? May you please advise?
Thanks a lot for your kind attention and help

Emanuele 

Excellent question. You “should” be ok?? This is why I said I have another antivirus program running just incase. It depends on the reputation of the programs developer. If it’s a well known developer there should be no problem. I have few plugins or enhancement software I use so the only time I have this issue in on new or updated planes. 
I normally open security and log in. Run XPlane and the choose that plane. I will get the error and hit cancel, then click on allow for each instance in the security window. I leave the security window open and close XPlane. I then open XPlane again and as it loads the plane I will usually get the error msg again and only have to hit allow in the security window for the error or errors and then it should load up with no more issues with that plane again unless there was an update that I installed. 
This whole issue would go away if only the developer certifies it. Developers can put in Easter eggs or other hidden things that can get data off your computer. I think we are pretty safe with XPlane and the forum contributors tho. 
happy flying.😷

Thanks for your reply.

What you describe in your reply corresponds to what I did, indeed, by follwoing the various steps proposed in the link I gave here above.
The developer is CARENADO (for the Cessna Caravan 208) and I think it is a trustful developer and I hope not to have any issue. I run malwarebytes regularly and so far so good.
Thanks for your kind reply and stay safe in this tough period

Kind regards,

Emanuele 

Hi,

Under Catalina,I managed to solve the "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware." issue, by looking in the finder all  the mac.xpl causing the problem (for the 320_JarDesign, I had 8 of them), group control clicking on them, requesting to have them opened with X-Plane.app. No more such message appearing after and I finally could activate the aircraft.

Best regards

Eric

thx, worked well for me, but not for the Xchecklist plugin, which is not starting.

i dowloaded it again, reinstalled it, but is not working...

any suggestion is very welcome, i'm a beginner and really appreciate checklists.

Luca

 

 

 

On 11/1/2019 at 9:44 PM, Sandro Rota said:

Hi everyone,

This thread is not about an issue with X-Plane per se, but with Mac OS X 10.15 "Catalina".  I'm sure I'm not the only one who will run into this problem in the future, and was hoping the more tech-savvy members can lend a hand.

The other day I made the mistake of updating my computer to Mac OS 10.15 "Catalina".  Very fancy and all, but now I cannot run X-Plane without getting at least 40 warnings saying "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware."  The two only options are "Move to trash" or "Cancel".

Of course, I hit "Cancel" because moving the file to the trash won't help.  Even if you hit cancel, when you want to fly you have zero plug-ins and thus, the ZiboMod 737 and other things don't work.

As this is a MacOS problem I went to the security and privacy preferences you can only select "Allow apps downloaded from App Store" or "Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers".  Given that most developers in the X-Plane world are not "identified" by apple, I seem to have hit a dead end.

Does anyone know how to get around this?  It's going to be a real problem if the OS doesn't allow all the mac.xpl files to function.  Please refer to the attached screenshots.

Thanks in advance.

Sandro

 

On 11/1/2019 at 9:44 PM, Sandro Rota said:

Hi everyone,

This thread is not about an issue with X-Plane per se, but with Mac OS X 10.15 "Catalina".  I'm sure I'm not the only one who will run into this problem in the future, and was hoping the more tech-savvy members can lend a hand.

The other day I made the mistake of updating my computer to Mac OS 10.15 "Catalina".  Very fancy and all, but now I cannot run X-Plane without getting at least 40 warnings saying "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware."  The two only options are "Move to trash" or "Cancel".

Of course, I hit "Cancel" because moving the file to the trash won't help.  Even if you hit cancel, when you want to fly you have zero plug-ins and thus, the ZiboMod 737 and other things don't work.

As this is a MacOS problem I went to the security and privacy preferences you can only select "Allow apps downloaded from App Store" or "Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers".  Given that most developers in the X-Plane world are not "identified" by apple, I seem to have hit a dead end.

Does anyone know how to get around this?  It's going to be a real problem if the OS doesn't allow all the mac.xpl files to function.  Please refer to the attached screenshots.

Thanks in advance.

Sandro

 

On 4/18/2020 at 4:10 PM, Rikito55 said:

Hi,

Under Catalina,I managed to solve the "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware." issue, by looking in the finder all  the mac.xpl causing the problem (for the 320_JarDesign, I had 8 of them), group control clicking on them, requesting to have them opened with X-Plane.app. No more such message appearing after and I finally could activate the aircraft.

Best regards

Eric

Great solution, thx a lot!!

On 4/18/2020 at 7:10 AM, Rikito55 said:

Hi,

Under Catalina,I managed to solve the "mac.xpl cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.  MacOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware." issue, by looking in the finder all  the mac.xpl causing the problem (for the 320_JarDesign, I had 8 of them), group control clicking on them, requesting to have them opened with X-Plane.app. No more such message appearing after and I finally could activate the aircraft.

Best regards

Eric

Brilliant! 

The "Always Allow" method wasn't working for one of my extensions for whatever reason, but this worked ... thank you!

At first, I was stumped because X-Plane.app was greyed out. I realized that I needed to change "Recommended Applications" to "All Applications."

Then, I chose X-Plane.app > checked "Always Open With" > clicked Open.

X-Plane opened up without the usual mac.xpl warnings and the plugin worked this time, too.

 

This worked for me - thanks! 

I also had to do the same process for OpenGPWS.xpl, OpenWXR.xpl and X-TCAS.xpl, and then remember to "open" instead of "cancel" the next time the error popped up.

1 hour ago, RhysEvans150708 said:

I found another solution where you go to security and privacy, then to general and it should say 'Allow Mac.xpl' If you click allow the issue should go away instantly. Cheers

The problem is you have to do that every time you start X-Plane. If that’s okay for you, cool.