Hello,
I have a password manager app and have noticed a new feature in AutoFill & Passwords called "Set Up Codes In". I see that my competitors have been able to implement this feature but cannot find any documentation on how to do this.
How can I make it so my app can support this feature. Any help to pointing me to the documentation or otherwise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
//Ray
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Regarding the issue of login controls remaining on screen for a few seconds when using a subclass of SFAuthorizationPluginView, I wanted to inquire whether any progress has been made on resolving it.
To recap, per notes I found in the QAuthPlugins sample code:
Due to a bug (FB12074874), the use of an SFAuthorizationPluginView subclass can cause the login controls to remain onscreen for a significant amount of time (roughly 5 seconds) after login is complete, resulting in them being onscreen at the same time as the Finder’s menu bar and the Dock. The exact circumstances under which this happens are not well understood, but one factor seems to be running on a laptop where the main display is mirrored to an external display.
Specifically, I would like to know:
If there any other information about how the issue is reproduced? For my part I can say that it reproduces with out the use of a mirrored display. So far it reproduces for all of our developers and testers, all of the time.
Are there any known workarounds?
Is there any expectation that this issue will be addressed?
Thank you so much!
We are experiencing a significant issue with macOS security alerts that began on July 9th, at approximately 4:40 AM UTC. This alert is incorrectly identifying output files from our snippet tests as malware, causing these files to be blocked and moved to the Trash. This is completely disrupting our automated testing workflows.
Issue Description:
Alert: We are seeing the "Malware Blocked and Moved to Trash" popup window.
Affected Files: The security alert triggers when attempting to execute .par files generated as outputs from our snippet tests. These .par files are unique to each individual test run; they are not a single, static tool.
System-Wide Impact: This issue is impacting multiple macOS hosts across our testing infrastructure.
Timeline: The issue began abruptly on July 9th, at approximately 4:40 AM UTC. Before that time, our tests were functioning correctly.
macOS Versions: The problem is occurring on hosts running both macOS 14.x and 15.x.
Experimental Host: Even after upgrading an experimental host to macOS 15.6 beta 2, the issue persisted.
Local execution: The issue can be reproduced locally.
Observations:
The security system is consistently flagging these snippet test output files as malware.
Since each test generates a new .par file, and this issue is impacting all generated files, the root cause doesn't appear to be specific to the code within the .par files themselves.
This issue is impacting all the snippet tests, making us believe that the root cause is not related to our code.
The sudden and widespread nature of the issue strongly suggests a change in a security database or rule, rather than a change in our testing code.
Questions:
Could a recent update to the XProtect database be the cause of this false positive?
Are there any known issues or recent changes in macOS security mechanisms that could cause this kind of widespread and sudden impact?
What is the recommended way to diagnose and resolve this kind of false positive?
We appreciate any guidance or assistance you can provide. Thank you.
Hi,
ASCredentialProvider had been almost identically implemented on both iOS and macOS so far, but the ProvidesTextToInsert feature was only added to iOS. It would have been a crucial point to make Credential Providers available in all textfields, without users having to rely on developers correctly setting roles for their Text Fields.
It's right now impossible to paste credentials into Notes, or some other non-password text box both in web and desktop apps for example, in a seamless, OS-supported way without abusing Accessibility APIs which are understandably disallowed in Mac App Store apps. Or just pasting an SSH key, or anything. On macOS this has so many possibilities. It could even have a terminal command.
It's even more interesting that "Passwords..." is an option in macOS's AutoFill context menu, just like on iOS, however Credential Providers did not gain this feature on macOS, only on iOS.
Is this an upcoming feature, or should we find alternatives? Or should I file a feature request? If it's already in the works, it's pointless to file it.
Trying to validate external reference identifiers with SecTrustEvaluateWithError Method by setting reference Ids to SecPolicyCreateSSL() & SecPolicyCreateWithProperties()
But two concerns are -
Validates for correct reference IDs but gives error for combination of wrong & correct reference Ids
398 days validity works mandatorily before reference Ids check.
Is there any other to validate external reference Ids?, which give flexibility
To pass multiple combinations of reference IDs string (wrong, correct, IP, DNS)
To validate reference ID without days validity of 398.
Please suggest. Any help here is highly appreciated.
Our app uses Face ID to optionally secure access to the app for device owner. This not the new 'Require Face ID' feature of iOS 18 - this is our own custom implementation that has some other related logic for authentication handling.
Starting in iOS 18.3.1, starting the app results in multiple Face Id checks being fired - sometimes just a couple but sometimes many more.
Curiously, this is happening even when I completely disable any code we have that prompts for Face ID. It appears to come from nowhere.
This does not happen on prior iOS 18 releases so, while I might be doing something improper in the code, something specific has changed in iOS 18.3.1 to cause this issue to manifest.
I'm looking for advice as to what could be occurring here, how to debug a Face Id check that appears to come from nowhere, and what, if any, workarounds exist.
I have reached out to support and they simply tell me they are unable to help me, first redirecting me to generic Apple support, after following up they provided the explanation that they only handle administrative tasks and to post on the forums.
I am unable to change my App Tracking Transparency it provides no real error, though network traffic shows a 409 HTTP response from the backend API when trying to save. Here is a screenshot of the result when trying to save.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this resolved? I've commented back to the reviewers and they simply provided help documentation. I have a technical issue and am unable to get anyone to help resolve this.
I am developing a MacOS Authorisation Plugin, I have username and password entry items and utilising SFAuthorizationPluginView to display that. I am able to do so.
Requirement is I have to store ed25519 private key in PEM format in System Keychain as I need to read this entry before login to sign a request to a remote server.
I only want my authorisation plugin to access this private key in System Keychain.
I am looking up resources on the internet but I could not find specific to macOS Authorisation plugin, many are specific to iOS and some point at using entitlements and app group, but I doubt that applies to macOS authorisation plugin.
I'll really appreciate if some pointers are shared how can I store a private credential in System Keychain so that it can be used by only my plugin only, and this is before I have logged into the system.
I’d like to confirm something regarding the hosting of the apple-app-site-association (AASA) file.
We have a server that publicly hosts the AASA file and is accessible globally. However, this server sits behind an additional security layer (a security server/reverse proxy).
My question is:
Will this security layer affect Apple’s ability to access and validate the AASA file for Universal Links or App Clips?
Are there specific requirements (e.g. headers, redirects, TLS versions, etc.) that we need to ensure the security server does not block or modify?
Any guidance or best practices would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Hello,
I'm seeking some clarification regarding the use of accessibility and input monitoring APIs in sandboxed apps that are distributed through the App Store.
I understand that accessibility permissions are generally restricted for App Store apps. However, I've seen several recently released apps request these permissions directly upon first launch. I'm aware that apps submitted prior to 2012 may have legacy access to certain APIs, but the ones I'm referring to appear to be recent - within the past year.
While it's possible these apps were approved despite the restrictions, I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something. I also came across a recent discussion on this topic, and one post in particular stood out: Link
I’d really appreciate some clarification on what's officially allowed. Specifically:
Are accessibility permissions ever allowed? If so, under what circumstances?
Is input monitoring permitted for apps on the App Store? (The referenced post says yes, but since it's from 2022, I just want to confirm)
The linked post suggests that event generation might be allowed on the App Store, though the author hadn’t explored that privilege in detail and recommended opening a DTS tech support incident. I’ve done that and have a support case open - would it be possible to take a closer look at this?
For context, my app (currently distributed outside the App Store) uses CGEventPost and CGEventCreateMouseEvent to modify mouse behavior.
Thank you
I am developing a daemon-based product that needs a cryptographic, non-spoofable proof of machine identity so a remote management server can grant permissions based on the physical machine.
I was thinking to create a signing key in the Secure Enclave and use a certificate signed by that key as the machine identity. The problem is that the Secure Enclave key I can create is only accessible from user context, while my product runs as a system daemon and must not rely on user processes or launchAgents.
Could you please advise on the recommended Apple-supported approaches for this use case ?
Specifically, Is there a supported way for a system daemon to generate and use an unremovable Secure Enclave key during phases like the pre-logon, that doesn't have non user context (only the my application which created this key/certificate will have permission to use/delete it)
If Secure Enclave access from a daemon is not supported, what Apple-recommended alternatives exist for providing a hardware-backed machine identity for system daemons?
I'd rather avoid using system keychain, as its contents may be removed or used by root privileged users.
The ideal solution would be that each Apple product, would come out with a non removable signing certificate, that represent the machine itself (lets say that the cetificate name use to represent the machine ID), and can be validated by verify that the root signer is "Apple Root CA"
Has anyone here encountered this? It's driving me crazy.
It appears on launch.
App Sandbox is enabled.
The proper entitlement is selected (com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write)
I believe this is causing an issue with app functionality for users on different machines.
There is zero documentation across the internet on this problem.
I am on macOS 26 beta. This error appears in both Xcode and Xcode-beta.
Please help!
Thank you,
Logan
I am new to swift development, and it's possible that I'm missing something fundamental/obvious. If so, I apologize in advance. My team is developing an application for iPadOS using SwiftUI, and I'm trying to accomplish something similar to what the original inquirer is asking for in this thread: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/725152. The only difference is that I'm trying to use a PIV smart card to achieve authentication to a server rather than digitally sign a document.
Unfortunately, I'm getting stuck when attempting to run the list() function provided in the accepted answer to the post mentioned above. When attempting to call SecItemCopyMatching(), I'm getting a -34018 missing entitlement error. I've attempted to add the com.apple.token to my app's keychain-access-groups entitlements, but this does not resolve the issue. I have checked the entitlements in my built app, per the recommendation in the troubleshooting guide here: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/114456. The entitlement for com.apple.token is indeed present in the plist. Based on other documentation I've read, however, it seems that the explicit declaration of com.apple.token should not even be required in the entitlements.
Is there something obvious that I'm missing here that would prevent my app from accessing the token access group?
In the hopes of saving others time, the updated demo project (i.e. the new Shiny) can be found from the video 'Resources' section under 'Performing fast account creation with passkeys'. The beta documentation can also be found from there.
All of the new functionality is available only on *OS 26 at this time.
Hello,
I am developing a macOS menu bar window-management utility (similar in functionality to Magnet / Rectangle) that relies on the Accessibility (AXUIElement) API to move and resize windows and on global hotkeys.
I am facing a consistent issue when App Sandbox is enabled.
Summary:
App Sandbox enabled
Hardened Runtime enabled
Apple Events entitlement enabled
NSAccessibilityDescription present in Info.plist
AXIsProcessTrustedWithOptions is called with prompt enabled
Observed behavior:
When App Sandbox is enabled, the Accessibility permission prompt never appears.
The app cannot be manually added in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
AXIsProcessTrusted always returns false.
As a result, window snapping does not work.
When App Sandbox is disabled:
The Accessibility prompt appears correctly.
The app functions as expected.
This behavior occurs both:
In local builds
In TestFlight builds
My questions:
Is this expected behavior for sandboxed macOS apps that rely on Accessibility APIs?
Are window-management utilities expected to ship without App Sandbox enabled?
Is there any supported entitlement or configuration that allows a sandboxed app to request Accessibility permission?
Thank you for any clarification.
I am developing a macOS application (targeting macOS 13 and later) that is non-sandboxed and needs to install and trust a root certificate by adding it to the System keychain programmatically.
I’m fine with prompting the user for admin privileges or password, if needed.
So far, I have attempted to execute the following command programmatically from both:
A user-level process
A root-level process
sudo security add-trusted-cert -d -r trustRoot -k /Library/Keychains/System.keychain /path/to/cert.pem
While the certificate does get installed, it does not appear as trusted in the Keychain Access app.
One more point:
The app is not distributed via MDM.
App will be distributed out side the app store.
Questions:
What is the correct way to programmatically install and trust a root certificate in the System keychain?
Does this require additional entitlements, signing, or profile configurations?
Is it possible outside of MDM management?
Any guidance or working samples would be greatly appreciated.
Using the simplified sign-in with tvOS and a third party password manager, I receive a complete ASPasswordCredential, and I can easily log into my app. When I do the same thing but with Apple's password manager as the source, I receive an ASPasswordCredential that includes the email address, but the password is an empty string.
I have tried deleting the credentials from Apple Passwords and regenerating them with a new login to the app's website. I have tried restarting my iPhone.
Is this the expected behavior? How should I be getting a password from Apple's Password app with an ASAuthorizationPasswordRequest?
We’ve noticed an unexpected behavior in our production iOS app where the UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor value occasionally changes, even though:
The app is distributed via the App Store (not TestFlight or Xcode builds)
We do not switch provisioning profiles or developer accounts
No App Clips, App Thinning, or other advanced features are in use
There’s no manual reinstall or device reset in the scenarios observed (as per user feedback)
Any insights or confirmations would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I’m working an Objective-C lib that performs Keychain operations, such as generating cryptographic keys and signing data. The lib will be used by my team in a Java program for macOS via JNI.
When working with the traditional file-based Keychain (i.e., without access control flags), everything works smoothly, no issues at all.
However, as soon as I try to generate a key using access control flags SecAccessControlCreateWithFlags, the Data Protection Keychain returns error -34018 (errSecMissingEntitlement) during SecKeyCreateRandomKey. This behavior is expected.
To address this, I attempted to codesign my native dynamic library (.dylib) with an entitlement plist specifying various combinations of:
keychain-access-groups
com.apple.security.keychain
etc.
with:
My Apple Development certificate
Developer ID Application certificate
Apple Distribution certificate
None of these combinations made a difference, the error persists.
I’d love to clarify:
Is it supported to access Data Protection Keychain / Secure Enclave Keys in this type of use case?
If so, what exact entitlements does macOS expect when calling SecKeyCreateRandomKey from a native library?
I’d really appreciate any guidance or clarification. Thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Neil
Hello,
I’m working on an authorization plugin which allows users to login and unlock their computer with various methods like a FIDO key. I need to add smart cards support to it. If I understand correctly, I need to construct a URLCredential object with the identity from the smart card and pass it to the completion handler of URLSessionDelegate.urlSession(_:didReceive:completionHandler:) method. I’ve read the documentation at Using Cryptographic Assets Stored on a Smart Card, TN3137: On Mac keychain APIs and implementations, and SecItem: Pitfalls and Best Practices and created a simple code that reads the identities from the keychain:
CFArrayRef identities = nil;
OSStatus status = SecItemCopyMatching((__bridge CFDictionaryRef)@{
(id)kSecClass: (id)kSecClassIdentity,
(id)kSecMatchLimit: (id)kSecMatchLimitAll,
(id)kSecReturnRef: @YES,
}, (CFTypeRef *)&identities);
if (status == errSecSuccess && identities) {
os_log(OS_LOG_DEFAULT, "Found identities: %{public}ld\n", CFArrayGetCount(identities));
} else {
os_log(OS_LOG_DEFAULT, "Error: %{public}ld\n", (long)status);
}
When I use this code in a simple demo app, it finds my Yubikey identities without problem. When I use it in my authorization plugin, it doesn’t find anything in system.login.console right and finds Yubikey in authenticate right only if I register my plugin as non-,privileged. I tried modifying the query in various ways, in particular by using SecKeychainCopyDomainSearchList with the domain kSecPreferencesDomainDynamic and adding it to the query as kSecMatchSearchList and trying other SecKeychain* methods, but ended up with nothing. I concluded that the identities from a smart card are being added to the data protection keychain rather than to a file based keychain and since I’m working in a privileged context, I won’t be able to get them. If this is indeed the case, could you please advise how to proceed? Thanks in advance.