MacOS Install Doesn't Open

[pizza496]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I checked and did not find my issue in the already reported ones

Describe the bug

I don't have much more than the title. When trying to install darktable 5.6.0 the resulting application in the /Applications folder just plain doesn't open. It doesn't trigger the MacOS security warning. It just bounces in the Dock for a while (unless opening through running the darktable executable in Terminal), then stops and needs to be force quit to close.

Steps to reproduce

1. Download the macOS ARM .dmg from darktable.org
2. Open the .dmg
3. Drag darktable.app to the /Applications folder
4. Open the app through one of various methods (double clicking on the application, opening through context menu, etc.)

Expected behavior

App triggers the macOS security warnings

Logfile | Screenshot | Screencast

Log gathered using Console.app during attempted app launch (search term: "darktable")

default	18:05:15.484533-0700	runningboardd	Launch request for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>[0] is using uid 501 (divined from auid 501 euid 501)
default	18:05:15.484702-0700	runningboardd	Acquiring assertion targeting app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)> from originator [osservice<com.apple.coreservices.uiagent(501)>:1079] with description <RBSAssertionDescriptor| "LS launch org.darktable" ID:643-1079-228842 target:app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)> attributes:[
	<RBSDomainAttribute| domain:"com.apple.launchservicesd" name:"LaunchRoleUserInteractive" sourceEnvironment:"(null)">
	]>
default	18:05:15.484848-0700	runningboardd	Assertion 643-1079-228842 (target:app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>) will be created as active
default	18:05:15.491720-0700	runningboardd	Checking PreventLaunch: global:0 exPath:/Applications/darktable.app/Contents/MacOS/darktable predicates:(null) allow:(null)
default	18:05:15.491765-0700	runningboardd	Creating and launching job for: app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>
default	18:05:15.491813-0700	runningboardd	_mutateContextIfNeeded called for org.darktable
default	18:05:15.491911-0700	runningboardd	app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: -[RBPersonaManager personaForIdentity:context:personaUID:personaUniqueString:] required 0.000000 ms (wallclock); resolved to {4294967295, (null)}
default	18:05:15.507622-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] is not RunningBoard jetsam managed.
default	18:05:15.507647-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] This process will not be managed.
default	18:05:15.507667-0700	runningboardd	Now tracking process: [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]
default	18:05:15.507940-0700	runningboardd	Calculated state for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: running-active (role: UserInteractive) (endowments: <private>)
default	18:05:15.509025-0700	gamepolicyd	Hit the server for a process handle 1e46b5b000008f89 that resolved to: [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]
default	18:05:15.509078-0700	gamepolicyd	Received state update for 36745 (app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>, running-active-NotVisible
default	18:05:15.515575-0700	runningboardd	Using default underlying assertion for app: [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]
default	18:05:15.515674-0700	runningboardd	Acquiring assertion targeting [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] from originator [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] with description <RBSAssertionDescriptor| "RB Underlying Assertion" ID:643-643-228843 target:36745 attributes:[
	<RBSDomainAttribute| domain:"com.apple.underlying" name:"defaultUnderlyingAppAssertion" sourceEnvironment:"(null)">,
	<RBSAcquisitionCompletionAttribute| policy:AfterApplication>
	]>
default	18:05:15.515791-0700	runningboardd	Assertion 643-643-228843 (target:[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]) will be created as active
default	18:05:15.516077-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring jetsam update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.516128-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring suspend because this process is not lifecycle managed
default	18:05:15.516153-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Set darwin role to: UserInteractive
default	18:05:15.516170-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring GPU update because this process is not GPU managed
default	18:05:15.516252-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring memory limit update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.516345-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] reported to RB as running
default	18:05:15.518320-0700	runningboardd	Acquiring assertion targeting [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] from originator [osservice<com.apple.coreservices.launchservicesd>:605] with description <RBSAssertionDescriptor| "foregroundApp:36745" ID:643-605-228844 target:36745 attributes:[
	<RBSDomainAttribute| domain:"com.apple.launchservicesd" name:"RoleUserInteractiveNonFocal" sourceEnvironment:"(null)">
	]>
default	18:05:15.518495-0700	runningboardd	Assertion 643-605-228844 (target:[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]) will be created as active
default	18:05:15.519840-0700	loginwindow	-[Application _updateInformationInternal] | Got App URL: file:///Applications/darktable.app/
default	18:05:15.519941-0700	loginwindow	-[Application setState:] | enter: <Application: 0xb9c09c3c0: darktable> state 2
default	18:05:15.520272-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring jetsam update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.520348-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring suspend because this process is not lifecycle managed
default	18:05:15.519964-0700	loginwindow	-[PersistentAppsSupport applicationReady:] | App: darktable, ready, updating active tracking timer
default	18:05:15.520395-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring GPU update because this process is not GPU managed
default	18:05:15.519995-0700	loginwindow	-[ApplicationManager checkInAppContext:eventData:] | ApplicationManager: Checked in app : darktable
default	18:05:15.520586-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring memory limit update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.520751-0700	runningboardd	Successfully acquired underlying assertion for [app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745]
default	18:05:15.527249-0700	distnoted	register name: com.apple.sharedfilelist.change object: com.apple.LSSharedFileList.ApplicationRecentDocuments/org.darktable token: ec00000059 pid: 1464
default	18:05:15.532882-0700	runningboardd	Calculated state for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: running-active (role: UserInteractive) (endowments: <private>)
default	18:05:15.533623-0700	runningboardd	Invalidating assertion 643-1079-228842 (target:app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>) from originator [osservice<com.apple.coreservices.uiagent(501)>:1079]
default	18:05:15.533695-0700	gamepolicyd	Received state update for 36745 (app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>, running-active-NotVisible
default	18:05:15.533696-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring jetsam update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.534105-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring suspend because this process is not lifecycle managed
default	18:05:15.534168-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring GPU update because this process is not GPU managed
default	18:05:15.534295-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring memory limit update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.543728-0700	runningboardd	Calculated state for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: running-active (role: UserInteractive) (endowments: <private>)
default	18:05:15.640369-0700	gamepolicyd	Received state update for 36745 (app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>, running-active-NotVisible
default	18:05:15.714519-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring jetsam update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.714526-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring suspend because this process is not lifecycle managed
default	18:05:15.714548-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Set darwin role to: UserInteractiveNonFocal
default	18:05:15.714555-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring GPU update because this process is not GPU managed
default	18:05:15.714570-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring memory limit update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:15.719032-0700	runningboardd	Calculated state for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: running-active (role: UserInteractiveNonFocal) (endowments: <private>)
default	18:05:15.719749-0700	gamepolicyd	Received state update for 36745 (app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>, running-active-NotVisible
default	18:05:21.482530-0700	runningboardd	Assertion did invalidate due to timeout: 643-643-228843 (target:[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745])
default	18:05:21.675159-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring jetsam update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:21.675184-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring suspend because this process is not lifecycle managed
default	18:05:21.675196-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring GPU update because this process is not GPU managed
default	18:05:21.675221-0700	runningboardd	[app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>:36745] Ignoring memory limit update because this process is not memory-managed
default	18:05:21.682517-0700	runningboardd	Calculated state for app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>: running-active (role: UserInteractiveNonFocal) (endowments: <private>)
default	18:05:21.683263-0700	gamepolicyd	Received state update for 36745 (app<application.org.darktable.27794566.27794600(501)>, running-active-NotVisible

Sample taken using Activity Monitor:

Analysis of sampling darktable (pid 36745) every 1 millisecond
Process:         darktable [36745]
Path:            /Applications/darktable.app/Contents/MacOS/darktable
Load Address:    0x104cb0000
Identifier:      darktable
Version:         ???
Code Type:       ARM64
Parent Process:  launchd [1]
Target Type:     live task

Date/Time:       2026-06-21 18:06:47.113 -0700
Launch Time:     2026-06-21 18:05:15.493 -0700
OS Version:      macOS 26.5.1 (25F80)
Report Version:  7
Analysis Tool:   /usr/bin/sample

Physical footprint:         96K
Physical footprint (peak):  96K
Idle exit:                  untracked
----

Call graph:
    2530 Thread_11207098: Main Thread   DispatchQueue_<multiple>
      2530 _dyld_start  (in dyld) + 0  [0x104f889c0]

Total number in stack (recursive counted multiple, when >=5):

Sort by top of stack, same collapsed (when >= 5):
        _dyld_start  (in dyld)        2530

Binary images description not available

Even Later Sample:

Analysis of sampling darktable (pid 36745) every 1 millisecond
Process:         darktable [36745]
Path:            /Applications/darktable.app/Contents/MacOS/darktable
Load Address:    0x104cb0000
Identifier:      darktable
Version:         ???
Code Type:       ARM64
Parent Process:  launchd [1]
Target Type:     live task

Date/Time:       2026-06-21 18:24:59.826 -0700
Launch Time:     2026-06-21 18:05:15.493 -0700
OS Version:      macOS 26.5.1 (25F80)
Report Version:  7
Analysis Tool:   /usr/bin/sample

Physical footprint:         96K
Physical footprint (peak):  96K
Idle exit:                  untracked
----

Call graph:
    2510 Thread_11207098: Main Thread   DispatchQueue_<multiple>
      2510 _dyld_start  (in dyld) + 0  [0x104f889c0]

Total number in stack (recursive counted multiple, when >=5):

Sort by top of stack, same collapsed (when >= 5):
        _dyld_start  (in dyld)        2510

Binary images description not available

Commit

No response

Where did you obtain darktable from?

darktable.org / GitHub release

darktable version

5.6.0 arm64 release, can't be specific because the darktable logo doesn't ever appear, and the command line doesn't work either.

What OS are you using?

Mac

What is the version of your OS?

MacOS 26.5.1 (25F80)

Describe your system

Mac Studio
Apple M4 Max
48 GB

Are you using OpenCL GPU in darktable?

None

If yes, what is the GPU card and driver?

No response

Please provide additional context if applicable. You can attach files too, but might need to rename to .txt or .zip

I've tried this on several versions of darktable going back to somewhere in 5.4.x and never got darktable to open after install. Opening through the app icon, context menu, running the darktable executables within the .app container all experience this behavior.

Due to the nature of this issue, I can't provide darktable logs, since the app can't even get to the point where the logs would be created. In lieu of logs, I have the logs from the Console app that comes with macOS, and a sample taken in Activity Monitor.

[andriiryzhkov]

Can you launch it from the console with debugging enabled?

/Applications/darktable.app/Contents/MacOS/darktable -d all

[zisoft]

Did you remove the quarantine flag after install?

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/darktable.app

Just tried with 5.6.0 downloaded from the github release page and cannot reproduce on two different Macs.

Also try this Apple support document: Open a Mac App from an unknown developer

[stonecrown]

I recently installed darktable 5.6.0 on my 2019 macbook pro (Intel i9 CPU, Radeon Pro 5500M GPU & macOS Tahoe 26.5.2) and I'm encountering the same failure in launching the app and I get very similar messages from the Activity Monitor process samples. I've tried launching darktable via Finder and using the command line. No app windows are launched from darktable though its process remains running in the activity monitor. ...and yes, I tried the "Open Anyway" button in macOS Privacy and Security settings as well as the "xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/darktable.app" command but it still doesn't launch.

[andriiryzhkov]

I've tried launching darktable ... using the command line.

Sharing logs may help, otherwise it is not much informative.

I can also advise you to try removing quarantine and forcing an ad-hoc signature:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/darktable.app
codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/darktable.app

[stonecrown]

Thanks for the info, Andrii. Before I had read your response this morning, I tried installing the darktable app when logged into a different account (that was admin-level) on my macbook. Initially, darktable wouldn't launch there either, but when trying again using a command line with the "-d all" flag, it complained of a permissions problem with the ~/.cache/darktable folder. I corrected this and it had successfully launched. (Note that when I previously used this same command line option in my non-admin account, it hadn't shown any diagnostic messages whatsoever; it just sat there blank until I hit ctrl-C to exit.)

Since darktable was now working in my admin-level account, I then logged back into my default (non-admin) user account and tried launching it there; darktable opened normally with no issues at all! I'm not sure if some other internal permissions were resolved during my installation/launch within the admin-level session, but there you have it. Perhaps these latest releases of macOS Tahoe present more challenging behaviours with signing and permissions?

I didn't know about the ad-hoc signature workaround that you had noted; though I didn't use it this case, I'll keep this info for future reference.
Many thanks to you and the darktable team for developing this excellent app.

[zisoft]

We had some cases in the past where the permissions on the directories ~/.config and ~/.cache where wrong.
It is not known what process changes the permission settings on these folders.

To be absolutely safe you can execute the following commands in the terminal:

sudo chmod -R 755 ~/.config
sudo chown -R username ~/.config

sudo chmod -R 755 ~/.cache
sudo chown -R username ~/.cache

Replace username with your accountname.