Level 1

4 points

Spotlight doesn't show my app

I recently developed my first Objective-C + SwiftUI app for MacOS.

After building the dmg file, I installed it by dragging the .app file into the /Applications directory. When I fire up spotlight and try searching for my app, it doesn't show it. I have used cmake to bootstrap the entire project.

I have tried installing this on multiple other Macbooks and the app doesn't show in those systems as well.

I tried creating a new app directly from Xcode and that app shows on spotlight search. I am very new to MacOS development and I don't know if I have missed anything. Please help me figure out what I have missed.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 21, 2022 3:06 AM

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24 replies

KrimsonHart Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 25, 2022 8:45 PM in response to MrHoffman

Yes, agreed. My report doesn't rely on this computer (except for the reports specifically asked for this computer). The issue is raised from a completely out-of-the-box configuration Mac by our QA who do not have any of the above apps running (Docker, FUSE, Java, the add-on VPN). However, let me also test your other suggestion by running the code on their xcode on wednesday.

KrimsonHart Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2022 11:53 PM in response to KrimsonHart

Hi MrHoffman,

I formatted the mac, reinstalled MacOS with the typical configuration (no docker or fuse or VPN or any other app) and tried downloading the Azure Build of my app (.dmg file) and dragged the .app file into the /Applications folder. I still see that spotlight doesn't show my app in the search results. Any other app I install like xcode / any other app that is already there in the folder shows up as expected except my app

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,097 points

Dec 28, 2022 9:14 AM in response to KrimsonHart

So if you build a “Hello World” app using Swift and Xcode and then place that in Applications, is that found?

So what is different about this current app? (Some sort of DRM or copy protection in use? Some not-a-bundle app format used? Some odd implementation details when building the app? Is the app protected against access?)

Does the command-line find command find strings from within the problem app, and the “Hello World” app?

Can Finder find the problem app and the “Hello World” app by app names?

KrimsonHart Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 21, 2022 7:46 PM in response to MrHoffman

Hi etresoft,

Maybe that I have missed some dependency / XCODE_CONFIGURATION that Xcode does when you create a new app directly from it?

KrimsonHart Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 21, 2022 7:47 PM in response to MrHoffman

Hi MrHoffman,

Yes, I have tried those. There were two other arguments (i think it was -fvE) in the sudo mdutil command that I forgot. Hence posted only sudo mdutil

etresoft

Level 9

56,852 points

Dec 22, 2022 5:23 AM in response to KrimsonHart

KrimsonHart wrote:

Maybe that I have missed some dependency / XCODE_CONFIGURATION that Xcode does when you create a new app directly from it?

No. It means stop wasting your time with junk like cmake.

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,097 points

Dec 25, 2022 6:28 AM in response to KrimsonHart

I would not attempt to test apps on this Mac. Ever. Test on a Mac with a typical configuration. This Mac is not that.

This Mac is the very archetype for “it works on my computer” joke.

KrimsonHart Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 28, 2022 8:46 AM in response to MrHoffman

Yes, I did run the app and then quit the app and tried spotlight search. Couldn't find the app listed.

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,097 points

Dec 28, 2022 1:01 PM in response to etresoft

Also: https://theevilbit.github.io/posts/macos_persistence_spotlight_importers/ (an intro to the same importer stuff, but for different purposes than verification)

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Spotlight doesn't show my app