macOS Sequoia upgrade from Sonoma - any issues?

[BDennis]

I've just bought a new imac M4 using Sequoia 15.2. I've installed OM Workspace (version 2.3.3) which seems to work with editing etc. However when I connect my OM-1 using the USB-C cable, I get an error message saying I need to enable loading from OM DIgital Systems. I'm wanting to back up my custom settings on the mac. I've gone in to System Settings - Privacy & Security- Files & Folders, then OM Workspace (with a subheading for full disk access) but both of these are greyed out. Can anyone using Sequoia on a silicon powered mac help please? The camera shows up in the finder so it is definitely connected. I need to change a setting in the mac but can't see how to do it. Any help please?

Sorry this is slightly off topic but hopefully will be seen as a Sequoia issue.

No help at all for you Chris but I have exactly the same problem with my M4 iMac. I am going round and round in circles but can't work out how to allow access for Workspace. I hope somebody comes up with a solution. Thanks for pointing out the issue.

Ron

Hi Ron and Chris - sorry I only just saw this

You might have come across an issue with Apple Silicon Macs and the OM System software where it needs to install a low level extension / camera driver.

The MacOS is really up tight about allowing software to do this for security reasons as they are trying to lock everything down.

On the previous MacOS version I had to go through some hoops to install this driver - I posted about it here:

https://www.e-group.uk.net/forum/forum/general-photography-discussion/951382-firmware-update-advice?p=951463#post951463

I did all that stuff and got it working OK on the previous version of MacOS.

Currently after the upgrade to Sequoia all my camera update stuff is working fine (save settings and firmware update), which is a surprise as usually it resets all this stuff and you have to redo it, maybe they fixed something!

I'm not sure if this issue has been carried over to the latest MacOS Sequoia if you're on a brand new Mac requiring all this to still be done, the main question being does Apple trust driver software from OM System now in MacOS or do you have to do all the stuff to make it so with your system. Really there should be a system where software developers like OM System digitally sign these low level drivers so the Apple / MacOS knows they're from a trusted source. I'm not sure if OM did or didn't do that, if it was possible or if they're now doing this - but let's not go down that rabbit hole!

First up I would suggest to go into the Mac System settings from Apple Menu and have a look at the Privacy and Security settings - what do you see here for these settings:




I changed the Allow applications from App Store to also include Known Developers when I previously installed OM System to let it install the driver but I had to do something in a pre-boot menu first to lower the security paranoia level of MacOs.

I also changed the Allow accessories to connect to "Always" so that it doesn't keep asking me to allow the camera to connect over USB.

If you don't have the above settings I would suggest to cautiously apply them, reboot the Mac and re-install OM Workspace and see if it fixed the issue.

If that doesn't work you may need to follow the procedure I linked above which was about this on the OM website (it says M1 Macs but I wonder if they really mean all Apple Silicon Macs now):

https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/learn-center/photography-tips/settings/how-to-update-firmware-using-mac

What I had to do was go into the Mac pre-boot menu (like the BIOS menu on PCs) and change a security policy to allow it to load a Kernel Extension (camera driver) from a known developer.

If doing this I would recommend to back up all your stuff and proceed with caution.

Another option might be to contact OM Support and see what they suggest for this issue now.

As an aside, it is possible to update firmware and save / load settings via the OM Share App on Android and iPhone smartphones. This is what I do most of the time now, partly due to being stuck with this Mac issue previously but I do find it easier.

Hope this helps and good luck! Let us know how you get on.

Bill

[Olybirder]

Thank you Larry and Bill for your suggestions. I will try some of the simpler ones tomorrow and see if I get anywhere.

Ron

[Chris-G]

thank you Larry and Bill for taking the time to post your detailed advice. I hope to investigate this later today when I have more time. In the meantime, Ron, if you have success do please let me know. I'll post again later on.

[Gate Keeper]

I have been using it for ages. No issues whatsoever, it just works.


It seems the Mac/Windows wars never end for some.
I love how Microsoft cared for their W10 users when they introduced W11. No pressure to buy a new computer, of course.
Eh Oh, what a world we live in.

Well said,

I have 3 MacBook Pros which can no longer be updated so I am forced to buy a new MacBook next time I am the UK. I am unable to use PS or LR or Luminar on any of the MBP’s…..Apple does the same with its iPhone's. Last year I had to upgrade from iPhone 6S as it was no longer supported.

[Olybirder]

Well, I have got it working now! I will try to remember what I did. The main thing was to reduce the security level for apps from known developers.

In the Settings menu under Security make sure that 'Allow applications from App Store and Known Developers is selected.
Shutdown computer then Startup holding the button until Startup Options shows.
Click on 'Options' then Continue.
Confirm language, then from menu bar at top choose 'Startup Security Utility'.
Select your current hard drive and click on 'Security Policy' button.
Choose Reduced Security and tick 'Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers'.
Click on OK.
From top menu choose Quit Startup Disk.
Below Apple symbol choose Restart.
When restart is complete check System Settings again and see if there is the option to allow 'OM Digital ...' in the Security section (it doesn't appear on mine now so I can't remember the exact wording).

With a bit of luck it might be working now. However, if you need a new computer don't blame me!

Ron

[BDennis]

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

[Chris-G]

Hi Olybirder - yes, at last I've got it working, doing the procedures suggested by you and BDennis, griffljg It took several attempts to change the various settings, uninstalling and reinstalling OM Workspace and reboots to the mac. All's well that ends well though I have wasted several hours yesterday and almost another hour today. Sincere thanks to all for their kind help. It's what makes this website special.

[Olybirder]

Phew, that's a relief. I am not very technically minded so I am not good at explaining it. Fortunately, Bill and Larry know what they are talking about. Hopefully now it's done we won't have to do it again.

Ron

[BDennis]

Glad it's sorted. It really shouldn't be this hard!

I'm sure OM could find a better way that doesn't need a potentially risky kernel extension to be installed in MacOS in order to communicate to the camera over USB to update a firmware package.

This is the kernel level system file they install:


Apple on their developer site say this

"Kexts are no longer recommended for macOS. Kexts risk the integrity and reliability of the operating system. Users should prefer solutions that don’t require extending the kernel and use system extensions instead."

I bet their kernel driver is a legacy method they haven't updated for the latest MacOS + hardware for some reason, I haven't heard of similar issues on Windows 11.

Bill

[wornish]

I wonder if OM really has the necessary people to keep their Mac offerings up to date.
They seem to always be behind what's happening in the Mac world.

[pdk42]

I’ve been delaying updating to Sequoia until I need to reboot, but it’s still going strong from last Aug !

[pdk42]

I know, it's amazing. It's a laptop and it gets a lot of sleep/suspend/battery dead abuse too, so it's even more amazing - 161 days !!

paul@Pauls-MacBook-Pro Pictures % uptime
13:11 up 161 days, 4:11, 2 users, load averages: 6.16 5.22 5.43
paul@Pauls-MacBook-Pro Pictures %

[BDennis]

I do just shut the lid of the current MBP but I seem to be obsessive about security updates which need a reboot so my uptime is rubbish! Also, for external drives that refuse to eject I shut it down to be safe. I have a really old MBP 17 I sometimes use as a DVD player (sad I know). That laptop hibernates to the HDD as a safety feature for power loss during sleep when you shut the lid. So I never shut it down as it takes ages for booting. So when it's into sleep / hibernate mode I just remove the battery for months (yes it's really old, user swappable battery pack). I must check the uptime next time I revive it!

[blu-by-u]

A friend updated and those thumbnails for the ORF(OM1i) have disappeared. Any advice?