Home > Troubleshooting > I always get a message about installing a "Helper Tool" and it asks for my password whenever I run on my Mac

I always get a message about installing a "Helper Tool" and it asks for my password whenever I run on my Mac

This is Apple making it harder and harder to run apps that didn't come from the App Store (where Apple gets a tax on the software). 

I've found references to it affecting most every popular app from Slack to Skype to Avid Pro Tools. Very few general answers on how to fix it. In some cases they say the developers fixed it, but I can find no pointers to how they did it.

Here is a summary of the suggestions I've found about what's happening and how to fix it:

1. The app is not installed in teh Applications folder. Just move it there and the problem goes away. Be sure to search for the app as it may be installed more than once.

2. It's traces of an expired digital certificate from an old install. Send the app to trash, search that there are no more copies, empty trash, then reinstall. In some extreme cases, people report having to use AppCleaner to get rid of all traces.

3. The app is owned by root rather than the user. Use a chown to fix that. e.g. https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/267685/repeatedly-try-to-add-a-new-helper-tool-on-each-restart-for-same-applications

4. Some of these scenarios arise because people installed without being Administrator. Move all traces of the app to trash, empty trash, make sure you're logged in as Administrator, and reinstall.

5. Some say it is a Security option. Go to your Security tab and to it to allow non-App Store apps to run. Opinions vary on whether Apple even offers this option in later OS releases.

6. Some say it happens because the app accesses folders that require Administrator permission. The only folders it accesses are the app folder where it's installed and it's preferences folder. You can find which folder is preferences by going to Setup Files.

If you find a way to fix the problem on your machine, please let me know so I can help others!

 

Download
Links

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Troubleshooting guide
Beginner's Glossary

Use the search box at top to find the answer to your questions.

Training
Videos

Getting Started & User Manuals

Customer Service

For in-depth questions you can file a support ticket and get answers directly from us.

To file a ticket, send email to 'support@cnccookbook.com' or use the 'Submit Tickets' link below. You'll need to Login to submit tickets or review their status.

Feedback


Send us email any time--we read them all.

Get Help Right Inside the Software


Our G-Wizard software gives you access to all sorts of help right inside the software:

G-Wizard Help

Dig Deeper


Get the most out of your G-Wizard Software with our articles and online courses:

G-Wizard Software Blog Posts: Every new feature gets a write up here first.

Feeds and Speeds Course: Learn the trade secrets of Feeds and Speeds and how to exploit them with G-Wizard Calculator.

G-Code Programming Course: Filled with examples for G-Wizard Editor.

Blog Posts on Feeds and Speeds: Even more trade secrets.

Blog Posts on G-Code Programming: Even more g-code gems.

Tips: Our software will give you a popup tip every so often. Check them out and let them run. You'll pick up all kinds of helpful ideas.