Notarisation for dummies

[A Former User]

@casey-kolb said in Notarisation for dummies:

Just another tidbit for those lay-people like me — I recently discovered this third-party app while trying to learn about notarization: DMG Canvas

It's a WYSIWYG builder that automatically notarizes and staples your installer using your Apple ID when you build the DMG file. Super clean!

Quick 1 year later followup, are you still using this one for all your code signing and notarising?

[Casey Kolb]

@iamlamprey Yup! It's a cool little app and I feel like it makes your installer look more legitimate.

[trillbilly]

So can I use the same notarization process if not using an installer?

Codesign VST/AU
ZIP Contents (VST/AU/HR1/etc)
Codesign ZIP
Notarize ZIP

Is this correct or must you use an installer?

[orange]

@trillbilly Follow this famous guide:

Just a moment...

(www.kvraudio.com)

[d.healey]

@trillbilly said in Notarisation for dummies:

ZIP Contents (VST/AU/HR1/etc)

No need to zip an HR file, it's already a compressed format

[trillbilly]

@d-healey I just figured it would make delivery easier if all files were included in one download, no?

[d.healey]

@trillbilly Depends on the size of the download

[trillbilly]

@orange So I found this code for zip files

xcrun altool --notarize-app --primary-bundle-id "com.company.vst.plugin" --username "USERNAME" --password "PASSWORD" --asc-provider "SHORT_PROVIDER_NAME" --file plugin.zip

I know the Primary Bundle ID is. As for USERNAME and PASSWORD, is my Apple Developer signin? Is PASSWORD the App Specific Password?

And I am unsure what SHORT_PROVIDER_NAME is referring too.

[trillbilly]

@d-healey What do you recommend keeping download sizes too? Do you recommend keeping hr1 files the default 500mb or do you increase?

[d.healey]

@trillbilly 2GB max per file.

[trillbilly]

@orange So I have tried the notarization with my AppleID/Developer Username (my email) and with both My password and the generated App Specific Password with no luck.

I also removed the SHORT_PROVIDER_NAME as when I was reading through the thread, there was mention its unnecessary if you're only associated with one entity with Apple.

Here is the code I used and error I received.

xcrun altool --notarize-app --primary-bundle-id "com.website.plugin" --username “my email” --password “my password“ "/Users/mymac/Plugin.zip"

**** Error: Notarization failed for '(null)'.
*** Error: Unable to upload your app for notarization. --file must specify a file. (-1027)
{
NSLocalizedDescription = "Unable to upload your app for notarization.";
NSLocalizedFailureReason = "--file must specify a file.";
}
*** Error: Unable to upload your app for notarization. Failed to get authorization for username and password. (
"Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=0 "Status code: 0" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Status code: 0, NSLocalizedFailureReason=The auth server returned a bad status code.}"
) (-1011)
{
NSLocalizedDescription = "Unable to upload your app for notarization.";
NSLocalizedFailureReason = "Failed to get authorization for username '\U201c\U201d' and password. (\n "Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=0 \"Status code: 0\" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Status code: 0, NSLocalizedFailureReason=The auth server returned a bad status code.}"\n)";
}*

[orange]

@trillbilly I've used installers only, never used the .zip files for the plugin distribution. Are you sure about the folder path of the .zip file?

Also, I think the code you tried is for individual zip packages. For example, put a vst in a single zip file. then put .component file to another zip file... etc.

Why don't you use Packages Installer instead? It's pretty straightforward, easier, and a much professional way for the user experience.

I strongly suggest using Whitebox Packages for this purpose, after downloading and installing it (it's free), take a look at this PACKAGES TEMPLATE PROJECT that 've made earlier. It's an installer project with all of the plugin formats.

[trillbilly]

@orange Id like to eventually have installers but am terrified to even begin. Whitebox looks like it only does Mac Installers, yes? What about Windows?

[d.healey]

@trillbilly

What about Windows?

InnoSetup.

I made an app that does all this for you (including codesigning and notarizing), it's available on my Patreon page. I haven't tested it with recent versions of HISE but I think it should still work. It has a few bugs which I haven't found the time to fix yet, but will get to it eventually :)

[trillbilly]

@d-healey I believe I am already a member of your Patreon. I will have to look for this tool. It is for Mac & Windows?

[d.healey]

@trillbilly said in Notarisation for dummies:

It is for Mac & Windows?

Yes

[d.healey]

@trillbilly https://forum.hise.audio/topic/3085/export-tool

[trillbilly]

@orange You've talked me into it. Im attempting installers. I have successfully created Windows installer and Mac installer.

Notarization is another issue though. I was able to get to point of receiving email from Apple but they did not notarize the app.

Ill be continuing this quest tomorrow!

[Dan Korneff]

@trillbilly said in Notarisation for dummies:

they did not notarize the app

The email should contain a code that you can check for specific errors.

[orange]

@trillbilly The procedure in macOS is this:

1. Export plugin from HISE
2. Sign the plugin
3. Create a .pkg installer with WhiteBox Packages
4. Sign the installer
5. Notarize the installer
6. Time Stamp the installer

If you follow this procedure properly, there will be no issues. Follow the KvR thread, all of these steps are explained there, it's working.