I have created an automator app which should create a folder and copy some files. When I click on the app it says "You can’t open the application “XYZ.app” because it may be damaged or incomplete."
I have been using this app for ages, but now under Sonoma, it won't run. I compiled it anew, but the problem remained.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13
I found a workaround: Before Sonoma, it was possible to first create a workflow, then duplicate it and save the duplicate as app, which would run without problems. Under Sonoma now, this procedure yields apps, which do not run, but lead to the mentioned error messages.
My workaround is now, to first create an app, then duplicate it and save the duplicate as a workflow. This way it works.
In my opinion, this is still a bug, as the older procedure should also work.
I found a workaround: Before Sonoma, it was possible to first create a workflow, then duplicate it and save the duplicate as app, which would run without problems. Under Sonoma now, this procedure yields apps, which do not run, but lead to the mentioned error messages.
My workaround is now, to first create an app, then duplicate it and save the duplicate as a workflow. This way it works.
In my opinion, this is still a bug, as the older procedure should also work.
It is possible that Sonoma thinks it's not a safe app. When you get that error, go straight to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and look about midway down for the option to open anyway.
Since you have been using the app for ages, it is realistic that Apple may have changed or eliminated some of the actions or their behaviors used in the Automator app. If the App was compiled on an Intel Mac and you are attempting to run it now on an Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Mac, it will likely blow up too.
I would start over and test the Automator app with only the first action, and show its output, then the next action and show its output, and so forth. This stepwise debugging refinement may lead you to the problem.
Or, you can take a screen shot of the application and post it here using either a drag and drop of that screen shot onto a reply, or by using the image insertion toolbar item below in this editor.
Launch Automator. On the dialog that appears, select Desktop and then click New Document. On the next panel, select Application and then click Choose. At this point, you have the Libraries and the larger workflow panel exposed. Let me know when you have this achieved.
I think VikingOSX just included a snippet of the full window.
Do this:
Open Automator > File > Open.
Choose Desktop in the middle location selector at the top.
Then click the New Document Button in the lower left.
Then setup your app as needed.
Unless you have configured Sonoma to put your Desktop and Documents on iCloud, the first window that I see when launching Automator is a File Chooser with the following on it:
and the bottom of that chooser is the New Document button which gets you to the screen you have shown. Now click Application and then the Choose button.
Something's odd here. I have never seen this window before and I have been using the automator for many years now, basically since it exists. Before that, I used apple script.
But anyway, this window is alien to me.
Any app I create, no matter how simple, is rejected.
There was no button to open anyway.
There is no button "Desktop" . I attach a screenshot.
Then I only get to the same window, which already pops up when I start Automator.
Automator created app does not run
