Hello,
I have a macOS app built with Flutter’s macOS target (native Xcode project). The app is unsigned (no Developer ID code signing / notarization). The .app bundle looks valid:
CFBundlePackageType = APPL
Unique CFBundleIdentifier
No LSUIElement or LSBackgroundOnly
Executable exists and is runnable
Placed at /Applications/MyApp.app (top-level), runs fine from Finder
However, it does not show up in Launchpad.
What I tried:
Remove quarantine:
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/MyApp.app"
Force Launch Services registration:
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -f "/Applications/MyApp.app"
Rebuild LS caches:
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user
Reset Launchpad DB and restart Dock:
defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true && killall Dock
Verified bundle structure/type:
mdls -name kMDItemContentType -name kMDItemKind "/Applications/MyApp.app" → shows com.apple.application-bundle / Application
Questions
Is code signing/notarization required for an app to appear in Launchpad (even if it runs from Finder)?
What additional conditions cause Launchpad to skip an otherwise valid, unsigned .app in /Applications?
Are there deeper Launch Services or Dock database checks I can run to diagnose why this specific app is excluded?
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