I upgraded to macOS Sonoma and SPSS will not open.

I had SPSS 26 installed and now it doesn't work

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Oct 1, 2023 4:53 AM

Top-ranking reply

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41 points

Posted on Oct 2, 2023 10:29 AM

If you upgraded to macOS Sonoma, and your SPSS 26 software is no longer working, it's possible that the upgrade may have caused compatibility issues. Here are some steps you can take to try and resolve the issue:

Check for SPSS Updates: Start by checking if there are any updates or patches available for SPSS 26 that are compatible with macOS Sonoma. Software developers often release updates to ensure compatibility with new operating systems.
Compatibility Mode: You can try running SPSS 26 in compatibility mode. To do this, locate the SPSS application in your Applications folder, right-click on it, and select "Get Info." In the Info window, check the box that says "Open in Rosetta." This will run SPSS using the Rosetta 2 translation layer, which can help with compatibility on M1 Macs.
Contact IBM Support: If you can't find an update for SPSS 26 that works with macOS Sonoma, consider reaching out to IBM SPSS support. They may have information or solutions for running SPSS on the latest macOS.
Upgrade to SPSS 28: Another option would be to upgrade to a more recent version of SPSS that is officially compatible with macOS Sonoma (or whichever macOS version you are using). Newer versions are more likely to have better compatibility with the latest operating systems.
Consider Virtualization: If SPSS 26 continues to have issues, you can consider running it in a virtualized environment. Tools like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion allow you to run Windows on your Mac, and you can install SPSS for Windows within the virtual machine.
Dual Boot with Windows: If you have a genuine Windows license, you could set up a dual-boot system on your Mac, allowing you to boot into Windows when you need to use SPSS.
Seek Community Help: Sometimes, other users may have encountered and solved similar issues. Check online SPSS user communities or forums for advice and solutions specific to your problem.
Backup and Reinstall: As a last resort, you could consider backing up your data and performing a clean install of macOS Sonoma. Sometimes, this can resolve compatibility issues, but it's a more drastic step and should only be done after exhausting other options.

Remember to back up your data before making significant changes to your system or attempting a clean install. It's also important to verify the official system requirements and compatibility of your software with the macOS version you are using.

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57 replies

Oct 10, 2023 11:30 AM in response to Nnghks

Ok everything seemed to be fine BUT ... I don't have a folder structure on my Mac like it is described in the "read me" data.

When I follow my folder structure there is following:

Programs - IBM SPSS Statistics - Python 3 for SPSS Statistics AND - R for SPSS Statistics AND - Recourses (this is the only folder) AND - SPSS Statistics

To say it in other words: I have 3 Programs and 1 Folder, but not named "Contents"

what is to do?

In which folder should I copy the libplatdep.dylib??

When I go into "Resources" and deeper in other folders, there are a lot of lib folders but I don't know in which I should but the data!

Can anyone help me?

Izzyprof

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2023 5:54 PM in response to chiou6christos

This issue is crippling to both my job and my side business. I went onto the IBM website and found a patch. It said needed to download Java to make the patch work, which I did. Then, my Mac will not open the IBM patch file. I may have to go back to a Windows machine (barf, puke, gag, etc.), but I very much do not want to. Rule of thumb, just don’t upgrade Mac OS EVER…

Izzyprof

Level 1

8 points

Oct 17, 2023 8:15 PM in response to VirginiaSlimm

VirginiaSlimm,

Thank you so much for these detailed instructions! SPSS Version 29 is now working on my Mac and I am beyond elated at this moment. Thank you so much and anyone else that is having this issue, please following these instructions. It does work and VirginiaSlimm = AWESOME!

Oct 18, 2023 12:11 PM in response to chiou6christos

Can anyone tell me what each of the 3 fixes do? I am a teaching assistant and I writing an email to my students warning them about this issue. I want to be as detailed as possible for those non-computer-savvy students. What does each fix do? Also, I'm not a Mac user so I don't know.... is it difficult to roll-back to the previous OS? If I recommend this to a student, would they lose their data?

benkis96

Level 1

8 points

Oct 20, 2023 8:28 AM in response to chiou6christos

I am having the same issue with version 29 and cannot seem to install the fix suggested by IBM: https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/swg/selectFix?product=ibm%2FInformation+Management%2FSPSS+Statistics&fixids=29.0.0.0-IM-S29STATC-MAC-IF009&source=SAR&function=fixId&parent=SPSS

Oct 28, 2023 11:15 PM in response to chiou6christos

Experiencing similar issue, just downloaded SPSS 28 grad pack earlier today and tried installing it on m2 MacBook pro running Sonoma version 14.1. Running into an issue where trying to open/run SPSS but cannot get past an initial login screen where I have my computer selected as the local host. Tried the install several times, the activation code appeared to work and successful install but cannot load the program.

For comparison was able to run SPSS 28 on a windows 11 laptop so I suspect it's a compatability issue with Sonoma?

juliak7

Level 1

8 points

Oct 8, 2023 7:19 AM in response to aswinpnr

Hello, could you please help me with installing that patch? I've downloaded it but I don't understand the instruction

Oct 10, 2023 12:52 PM in response to gerlinde81

Have already solved the Problem! And found the folder with a right mouseclick on "SPSS Statistics".

Oct 12, 2023 5:33 PM in response to dr_idemirci

How do I upgrade from v28 to v29 in order to be able to access the patch (and without losing access to my current data files)? I assume the patch won't work on earlier versions?

Oct 13, 2023 6:06 PM in response to Doctor_Duke_MPLS

My device lost

Oct 13, 2023 6:07 PM in response to Doctor_Duke_MPLS

It's my Nwo device

Izzyprof

Level 1

8 points

Oct 14, 2023 7:56 PM in response to alysal2

Was this for Version 28 or Version 29? I tried for Version 29 and it did not work. Please let me know and thanks!

Oct 16, 2023 6:56 AM in response to Doctor_Duke_MPLS

This was very helpful. Thank you!!!

Oct 17, 2023 11:37 AM in response to VirginiaSlimm

You're an angel and mine is working now after following your detailed instructions :)

Oct 19, 2023 12:21 PM in response to VirginiaSlimm

You are amazing! Thank you so much for figuring that out. It's finally working!

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I upgraded to macOS Sonoma and SPSS will not open.