macOS Notarization: Prepare Before Release Day
A Mac app runs locally but Gatekeeper blocks the distributed build. This guide gives you a small, testable way to approach the issue before changing a live system.
A practical workflow
- Sign with the correct Developer ID identity and follow Apple's notarization workflow.
- Test the downloaded artifact on a separate Mac with a normal user account.
What to check
A development certificate or local exception does not prove the release package is trusted. Compare the result with the original problem and record what changed. If a measurement or test does not support the change, revisit the assumption rather than adding more complexity.
Keep the experiment small enough to reverse. Document the starting state, the change and the result so another person can repeat the process. Product menus and versions can change, so check the current documentation for your environment.
Official reference: Read the documentation.