Resolving the Code Sign Error in macOS Monterey and Xcode

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

Encountering the “resource fork, Finder information, or similar detritus not allowed” error during the code signing process in Xcode can be quite frustrating. This issue often arises due to certain attributes attached to files within your project directory, which are not permitted in a signed bundle. Let’s explore some effective solutions to tackle this problem.

Understanding the Problem

When you attempt to code sign your app, Xcode may fail with an error message indicating that certain file attributes are not allowed. This is often due to metadata added by graphics applications or the operating system itself, such as Finder information or resource forks.

Solution: Clearing Extended Attributes

The most effective solution involves clearing these unwanted attributes. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Terminal application on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your Xcode project using the cd command.
3. Execute the following command to recursively clear all extended attributes from the files in your project:

xattr -cr .

4. Once the command completes, return to Xcode, perform a clean build, and rebuild your project.

Alternative Approaches

If the above solution does not resolve the issue, consider these alternative methods:

• Find and Clear Specific File Types: Use the find command to target specific file types, such as images, and remove their attributes. For example:

  find . -type f -name '*.png' -exec xattr -c {} \;

• Automate with a Build Script: Add a new Run Script Phase in Xcode’s Build Phases tab to automatically clear attributes before code signing. This script can be customized based on your project’s structure.

Preventive Measures

To avoid this issue in the future, be cautious when adding files to your project. Consider using image optimization tools that do not add unwanted metadata, and ensure files are saved in formats compatible with Xcode’s code signing requirements.

Enhancing Test Automation with Repeato

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