[macOS] Unverified Developer. Possibility to sign the app?

[ashishpatel1992]

Issue on MacOS with unverified developer. I know we can forcefully override it by following https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491 but is it possible to get app signed.

"NormCap" cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified. macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware.

Chrome downloaded this file on 26 July 2021 from github.com.

[dynobo]

I briefly looked into this already. It seems like signing Apps requires a 99€ yearly subscription to Apple Dev Program.

Despite the financial aspect, to me as an Open Source Fan this practise somehow doesn't feel right.

Also I wonder, how many MacOS users NormCap has and how important for them it is to have it signed.

But that are just some thoughts and certainly no fixed decision. I'd be interested to hear different opinions! 😃

What do you think?

[ashishpatel1992]

Yes It requires fee. But I do read here that https://developer.apple.com/support/membership-fee-waiver/ we can apply for fee waiver program if we our app is not paid. Can we try that based on the grounds of being open source and free forever product?

[dynobo]

@ashishpatel1992 , I interpret this "fee-waiver" article as applicable to larger open source organisations, not to individual project. But I'll give it a low effort try and see what they respond...
EDIT: I read it again, and in the last paragraph it clearly states: "Fee waivers are not available for: [...] Individuals and sole proprietors/single-person businesses.". So sadly this is no option.

[dynobo]

Just listing some task / resources which I think are necessary (and missing) to sign the app for MacOS:

• 99$ per year
• Membership for Apple Dev Program
• A Mac for setting everything up, at least initially
• Adoption of the GH Actions pipeline to perform the signing automatically on release