"Legacy Developer: Huawei"

The following "Legacy System Extension" message popped up when upgrading to macOS version 10.15.4:


Existing software on your system loaded a system extension signed by “Legacy Developer: Huawei” which will be incompatible with a future version of macOS. Contact the developer for support.


Why does Huawei come up as a "Legacy Developer"?? I do not have any Huawei hardware. Should I be concerned??

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 11, 2020 9:55 AM

Reply
5 replies

Apr 11, 2020 10:28 AM in response to 3Dguru

Huawei makes a LOT of stuff for other companies who put their name on it. As does LG.


The next major release of macOS will not allow third party kernel extensions. It's just warning that any third party software you're using that installs such extensions will not work in 10.16.


All vendors who now user kernel extensions will have to use a different method to load items at startup.

Apr 12, 2020 5:47 PM in response to 3Dguru

They most definitely do need Apple's approval. Especially since El Capitan. The OS won't allow any extension to load that isn't code signed. And getting approval from Apple to make any part of an app an extension is very difficult.


I wouldn't worry about it. This whole idea that Huawei is now somehow evil came from the notion that they hold majority of patents (32%) of the upcoming 5G network. Our current administration has gone way overboard in demonizing anything that doesn't say "Made in USA" on it. According to one article I read:


The CIA and NSA hacked into HuaWei and stole tons of information over the years but found no evidence of HuaWei spying on their customers or end consumers. Also they found no links with the Chinese military or Chinese government at all.


Is that conclusive? No, but there isn't any way possible for the U.S. to be 100% certain tech from China, Russia or other nations don't include spying capability that isn't supposed to be there. No more than they can be certain American made computers, security cameras or whatnot don't contain the same.

Apr 12, 2020 5:21 PM in response to Kurt Lang

I'm glad that Apple will not allow third party kernel extensions going forward - but I am really surprised they "allowed" this in the past. It sounds like, in the past, third parties could add kernel extensions to the operating system without Apple's approval! This is really worrisome. And the other worrisome thing is that, whatever this extension is, it came from Huawei, which raises security concerns. Should I be concerned?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

"Legacy Developer: Huawei"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.