Support 2.6

• Scripts with elevated privileged: There is now built-in support for executing scripts with elevated privileges. A new Privileged Helper Tool is now part of the Support App and no longer requires the separate SupportHelper package. A Privileged Helper Tool is integrated, more secure and easier to configure. Additionally, script permissions checks are performed to only allow scripts owned by root with the proper permissions.
  • The Privileged Helper Tool is automatically installed and enabled when the PKG installer is used
  • The key value DistributedNotification for keys like FirstRowTypeLeft is now deprecated and replaced with PrivilegedScript
  • BREAKING CHANGE: Using commands instead of a script path is no longer supported due to the increased security mechanisms. Please migrate commands to a script instead.
  • Options are available to opt-out from the Privileged Helper Tool if needed and uninstall it. This can be done at the time of installation or after the app including Privileged Helper Tool is already installed
• Root3 App Catalog integration: A new Info Item App Catalog is added to integrate with Root3's App Catalog solution for automated patch management for third party macOS applications. It provides unique features such as a daily update schedule, updating both managed and unmanaged apps and a user facing app to quickly install new applications. As some app updates require user interaction, users may defer an update and want to update at a more convenient time. The Support App periodically checks for available app updates and allows the user to update apps whenever they prefer in an accessible way. To enable this integration, set the key AppCatalog for one of the Info Items and it requires a valid subscription or trial.

• Declarative Device Management update information: If an update declaration is sent using Declarative Device Management (macOS 14 and higher), the available update will show the enforcement date and time for the update in the macOS version Info Item. If present in the declaration, the DetailsURL will also show a button "Details" and opens the DetailsURL link.

• Restart from Support App: The Last Reboot Info Item now allows to immediately perform a graceful restart as requested in the text. The user no longer needs to leave the app and restart via the Apple-logo in the menu bar.
  New standardized UI: Certain Info Items now have a standard UI such as for macOS updates, uptime and the new App Catalog integration. The previously used popover is replaced with a window filling UI and back button (macOS 13 and higher).

• macOS 12 is now the minimum supported macOS version
• Several bug fixes and improvements

For more information and documentation: https://github.com/root3nl/SupportApp

Support 2.6 RC1

Changed/added:

• macOS 15 marketing name added
• Minor localization updates

Support 2.6 beta 4 (44)

Changed/added:

• Key DisablePrivilegedHelperTool added to optionally disable/uninstall the Privileged Helper Tool. More info: https://github.com/root3nl/SupportApp/tree/development?tab=readme-ov-file#disabling-or-re-enabling
• Resolved UI issues macOS 12: Full app windows UI replaced with old popover behaviour, as the app does not resize properly on macOS 12 based on dynamic content

Support 2.6 beta 3 (32)

Changed/added:

• Script paths containing spaces will now work regardless if spaces are escaped or not. This provides full compatibility with the old SupportHelper. Examples:
  • /Library/Application\ Support/Support\ App/user_permissions.zsh
  • /Library/Application Support/Support App/user_permissions.zsh

Support 2.6 beta 2 (31)

• An issue is resolved where the execution of a privileged script would not work if the path includes spaces
• Minor improvements

Support 2.6 beta 1 (27)

• Scripts with elevated privileged: There is now built-in support for executing scripts with elevated privileges. A new Privileged Helper Tool is now part of the Support App and no longer requires the separate SupportHelper package. A Privileged Helper Tool is integrated, more secure and easier to configure.
  • The Privileged Helper Tool is automatically installed and enabled when the PKG installer is used
  • The key value DistributedNotification for keys like FirstRowTypeLeft is now deprecated and replaced with PrivilegedScript
• Root3 App Catalog integration: A new Info Item App Catalog is added to integrate with Root3's App Catalog solution for automated patch management for third party macOS applications. It provides unique features such as a daily update schedule, updating both managed and unmanaged apps and a user facing app to quickly install new applications. As some app updates require user interaction, users may defer an update and want to update at a more convenient time. The Support App periodically checks for available app updates and allows the user to update apps whenever they prefer in an accessible way. To enable this integration, set the key AppCatalog for one of the Info Items and it requires a valid subscription or trial.

• DDM update information: If an update declaration is sent using Declarative Device Management (macOS 14 and higher), the available update will show the enforcement date and time for the update in the macOS version Info Item. If present in the declaration, the DetailsURL will also show a button "Details" and opens the DetailsURL link.

• Restart from app: The Last Reboot Info Item now allows to immediately perform a graceful restart as requested in the text. The user no longer needs to leave the app and restart via the Apple-logo in the menu bar.

• New standardized UI: Certain Info Items now have a standard UI such as for macOS updates, uptime and the new App Catalog integration. The previously used popover is replaced with a window filling UI and back button
• macOS 12 is now the minimum supported macOS version
• Several bug fixes and improvements

For more information and documentation, check the development branch: https://github.com/root3nl/SupportApp/tree/development

Support 2.5.2

This release contains security improvements to the PKG installers:

• Fixed: CVE-2024-27301 is resolved in the PKG postinstall scripts

Support 2.5.1

• Fixed: When a deferral is set using the preference key forceDelayedMajorSoftwareUpdates in the domain com.apple.applicationaccess, major macOS updates will automatically be hidden indefinitely until the key is removed or set to false. The amount of days configured for the deferral are ignored. Due to limitations and complexity, it is not supported to automatically show the macOS major update once the deferral days are passed. This behaviour replaces the HideMajorUpdates key, previously available in version 2.5 and earlier. More info here: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/restrictions
• Fixed: The computer name on certain Apple Silicon devices should now display properly instead of "02:LocationServicesEnabled"
• Fixed: The postinstall script no longer removes the com.apple.quarantine attribute from the app bundle to avoid triggering certain endpoint protection software.

Support 2.5

• New: Remote URL’s support for branding and icons. All places where a local image can be used, now support a remote URL to be able to automatically download and show the image. You can host the images somewhere on the web and no more need to package the images and deploy to every macOS device
• New: The keys Logo and LogoDarkMode now also support SF Symbols next to local and remote images. Use the prefix SF= followed by the SF Symbol name and optionally append ,color= with the options auto, multicolor, hierarchical or a HEX color code to apply custom color options. Thanks @bartreardon for the inspiration!
• New: More software update details:
  • The macOS version Info Item will now show a popover when clicked to show available software update details
  • Additionally the optional preference key UpdateText can be used to show a custom text under the available updates to provide more relevant context to the user, such as explaining when updates should be installed and why. The field supports markdown to provide external links as well. A sample is provided in the documentation
• New: All Info Items and configurable buttons can now be hidden:
  • Preference keys HideFirstRowInfoItems, HideSecondRowInfoItems and HideThirdRowInfoItems added to hide the rows with Info Items
  • Preference key HideFirstRow and HideSecondRow are now deprecated and replaced with HideFirstRowButtons and HideSecondRowButtons. Please migrate to the new preference keys as the deprecated keys will be removed in a future version.
• New: Support App Extensions can now show a notification badge warning in both the menu bar icon and Extension button when triggered from a script. Preference keys ExtensionAlertA and/or ExtensionAlertB need to be set to true to trigger the warning.
• New: Built-in local variables:
  • Use built-in local variables to show device and user details in text fields like Title, FooterText or any other configurable button. For example you can use $LocalFullName in the Title to show the full name of the currently logged in user.
  • The following variables are available:
    • $LocalComputerName: the current computer name/hostname
    • $LocalModelName: the model name, like MacBook Air (M2, 2022). Apple Silicon only
    • $LocalModelShortName: the short model name like MacBook or iMac
    • $LocalFullName: the full name of the local macOS user account
    • $LocalUserName: the username of the local macOS user account
    • $LocalMacosVersion: the macOS version, like 13.4.1
    • $LocalMacosVersionName: the macOS version marketing name, like Ventura or Sonoma
    • $LocalSerialNumber: the devices serial number
    • $LocalIpAddress: the current IP address
    • $LocalUpdatesAvailable: the number of updates available
• Added: macOS version Info Item will now show the Rapid Security Response version when applicable (macOS 13 and higher)
• Added: macOS Sonoma marketing name added for macOS 14
• Added: Spanish localization added
• Added: Markdown supported fields now supports line breaks using “\n”
• Changed: the notification badge in the menu bar icon now has a small border to increase contrast
• Changed: the network info item will now show "Wi-Fi" instead of the SSID name on macOS 14 and higher. Due to privacy design changes in Apple frameworks it is no longer possible to get the SSID name without asking the user for Location Services. We have decided not to ask for user consent as Location Services do not fit in the idea of the Support App.
• Fixed: The Footer provides better contrast in certain conditions, such as using Dark Mode and having light content active under the Support App popover
• Fixed: The Network Info Item now opens the Network section in System Settings instead of Wi-Fi
• Fixed: An issue is resolved where the popover would not always close when clicked outside the popover
• Fixed: An issue is resolved where the menu bar icon would not update when the storage limit warning was enabled or disabled.

Documentation:

• Added: Support App Extension example script integrating with the macOS Security Compliance Project (mSCP) baseline: /usr/local/bin/mscp_compliance_status.sh. This Extension shows the active baseline compliance status. For example: "Your MacBook is secure" or "Your MacBook has X issues".
• General improvements

Support 2.5 RC2

• New: Remote URL’s support for branding and icons. All places where a local image can be used, now support a remote URL to be able to automatically download and show the image. You can host the images somewhere on the web and no more need to package the images and deploy to every macOS device
• New: More software update details:
  • The macOS version Info Item will now show a popover when clicked to show available software update details
  • Additionally the optional preference key UpdateText can be used to show a custom text under the available updates to provide more relevant context to the user, such as explaining when updates should be installed and why. The field supports markdown to provide external links as well. A sample is provided in the documentation
• New: All Info Items and configurable buttons can now be hidden:
  • Preference keys HideFirstRowInfoItems, HideSecondRowInfoItems and HideThirdRowInfoItems added to hide the rows with Info Items
  • Preference key HideFirstRow and HideSecondRow are now deprecated and replaced with HideFirstRowButtons and HideSecondRowButtons. Please migrate to the new preference keys as the deprecated keys will be removed in a future version.
• New: Support App Extensions can now show a notification badge warning in both the menu bar icon and Extension button when triggered from a script. Preference keys ExtensionAlertA and/or ExtensionAlertB need to be set to true to trigger the warning.
• New: Built-in local variables:
  • Use built-in local variables to show device and user details in text fields like Title, FooterText or any other configurable button. For example you can use $LocalFullName in the Title to show the full name of the currently logged in user.
  • The following variables are available:
    • $LocalComputerName: the current computer name/hostname
    • $LocalModelName: the model name, like MacBook Air (M2, 2022). Apple Silicon only
    • $LocalModelShortName: the short model name like MacBook or iMac
    • $LocalFullName: the full name of the local macOS user account
    • $LocalUserName: the username of the local macOS user account
    • $LocalMacosVersion: the macOS version, like 13.4.1
    • $LocalMacosVersionName: the macOS version marketing name, like Ventura or Sonoma
    • $LocalSerialNumber: the devices serial number
    • $LocalIpAddress: the current IP address
    • $LocalUpdatesAvailable: the number of updates available
• Added: macOS version Info Item will now show the Rapid Security Response version when applicable (macOS 13 and higher)
• Added: macOS Sonoma marketing name added for macOS 14
• Added: Spanish localization added
• Added: Markdown supported fields now supports line breaks using “\n”
• Changed: the notification badge in the menu bar icon now has a small border to increase contrast
• Changed: the network info item will now show "Wi-Fi" instead of the SSID name on macOS 14 and higher. Due to privacy design changes in Apple frameworks it is no longer possible to get the SSID name without asking the user for Location Services. We have decided not to ask for user consent as Location Services do not fit in the idea of the Support App.
• Fixed: The Footer provides better contrast in certain conditions, such as using Dark Mode and having light content active under the Support App popover
• Fixed: The Network Info Item now opens the Network section in System Settings instead of Wi-Fi
• Fixed: An issue is resolved where the popover would not always close when clicked outside the popover
• Fixed: An issue is resolved where the menu bar icon would not update when the storage limit warning was enabled or disabled.