Security & Privacy panel not presenting extensions for approval after macOS Big Sur 11.5 update

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Security & Privacy panel not presenting extensions for approval after macOS Big Sur 11.5 update

Since updating to macOS Big Sur 11.5 yesterday on both of my Macs, I have been unable to use WD Discovery (4.3.327) or file streaming with Google Drive (49.0).

In both instances, the software alerts me that I need to reauthorize an extension in System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General, but in both instances, after navigating there, there is nothing showing as being in need of approval.

As a result, neither my WD My Cloud Home volume nor my Google Drive volume mount on my desktop. I'm experiencing this both on my MacBook Retina 12-inch Early 2015 and my MacBook Pro 13-inch 2017 Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports.

Anyone have a workaround for this? So far, I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the software, to no avail.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

MacBook, macOS 11.5

Posted on Jul 22, 2021 11:16 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

NotDNA Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 25, 2021 10:47 PM in response to HWTech

So… the old “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” trick resolved both of my issues. Since I had put the computers through several restarts and shut downs before today, I have absolutely no explanation why the shut down and start up today worked, but it did. Problem fully and spontaneously resolved with no updates or interventions of any kind.

Interestingly, it wasn't that the extensions were presented for approval. They were always there and their presence was not disrupted by the 11.5 update. WD Discovery and Google Drive for Desktop just couldn't address them, and now they can.

So if this happens to you, turn your Mac off and on again. And if that doesn't work, turn your Mac off and on again again and again. Multiple restarts did the trick for me.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,390 points

Jul 23, 2021 9:12 PM in response to NotDNA

Have you checked to see if there are any updates to those specific apps?

Using third party software (especially drivers) can result in these issues any time that an OS receives an up date. It is up to the third party software developer's to supply an updated version of their app to work with the latest update to an OS.

FYI, it is much better not to use a third party proprietary software to manage an external drive for this very reason and because these drivers can interfere with normal operations of the OS. It is much better to use a file system on the external drive which has native built-in support within the OS you are using. If you need to share a drive with a Windows system, then use Disk Utility to erase the physical drive as GUID partition and exFAT. If the external drive will only be used with macOS, then erase the physical external drive as GUID partition and MacOS Extended (Journaled). Of course this will destroy all data on the drive so you will need to temporarily transfer any files to another location when you erase the drive.

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

68,390 points

Jul 23, 2021 10:13 PM in response to NotDNA

You will need to contact WD and Google for support to let them know about the issue you are having since the update to 11.5 so they can advise you how to proceed. They will either need to update their apps, or they will need to work with Apple directly to resolve the issue. Apple will not help you with issues dealing with third party software even if the OS update broke those apps since it is the responsibility of the third party developer's to provide updates to their apps so they continue to work.

FYI, the WD devices just recently had to patch some major vulnerabilities.

Are you using any anti-virus apps, cleaning apps, or third party security software? These types of apps are not needed on a Mac and can interfere with normal macOS operations and the operation of other third party apps.

You can try using the command line to remove the app/driver from the Gatekeeper exceptions list and see if it will provide a prompt in the System Preferences Privacy & Security pane next time you try to run the app/driver. I can tell you from personal experience that it can be very difficult to get Gatekeeper to provide a prompt to approve a driver.

https://osxdaily.com/2015/07/15/add-remove-gatekeeper-app-command-line-mac-os-x/

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Answer 4

NotDNA Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 23, 2021 12:16 PM in response to NotDNA

Here are some screen grabs that illustrate the issue:

Western Digital:

Google Drive:

In both instances, navigating to Security & Privacy shows nothing there for approval:

Hoping someone will have some insight. It's quite a drag on my productivity. Thanks!

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Answer 5

NotDNA Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 23, 2021 9:20 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks very much for your response. I am using the latest version of both of the above mentioned applications. The WD My Cloud Duo uses a proprietary file system, only functions in tandem with the provided software, and cannot be reformatted. I have no Windows system in play and no need for interoperability with Windows.

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Security & Privacy panel not presenting extensions for approval after macOS Big Sur 11.5 update

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