Inkspace can't launch on OS X 10.10

[Adam Solymos]

Hi,

This is a partly known issue on Mac OS X 10.8 and later due to the more strict rules of launching applications from untrusted sources, aka Gatekeeper.

I found a reference in the Inkscape OS X installation FAQ at
https://inkscape.org/en/learn/faq/#Mac_OS_X_specific_issues
in the "Inkscape fails to launch on OS X 10.8 and later" section. This describes the problem, however it did not helped me seamlessly.

Please update the FAQ based on this description, or provide another solution.

The problem was the following:

1) First I installed XQuartz separately (not Inkscape installer asked me), and restarted computer as it was recommended.
2) However I did not start X11 separately. My OS X Security level was at "Allow apps from Mac App Store and trusted developers".
Normally this level makes an extra step for me, when I want to launch a downloaded app from an untrusted source: A warning dialog pops up, about that the app is untrusted. So I need to open System Preferences > Security and Privacy and allow the app via "open it anyway". I expected this, and it happened later, as I will describe below.
3) I installed Inkscape, and wanted to start it.
4) I got the warning dialog about untrusted resource. I went to Security settings, and I allowed Inkscape to run anyway.
5) Inkscape was about to being launched (application icon bouncing on Dock), but nothing happened afterwards. Inkscape icon remained still on Dock, and Inkscape window did not come up. (I was waiting for a few minutes, as I was taught that at the first run the font caching can takes a while. )

Later I figured it out, that it's quite likely that X11 app would need the same procedure (manual authorisation), so when X11 is trying to start by Inkscape, it cannot give me the same warning message somehow (even if Inkscape itself is already allowed), and I cannot allow it from Security settings (checked it).

The only solution worked for me, was to set the security level lower for the time of first launching. Later I put the level back, and Inkscape (and X11) runs without hiccups.

OS X version: 10.10.4
Inkscape version: 0.91
XQuartz version: 2.7.7

[su_v (suv-lp)]

Thank you for taking the time to file this report.

1) The requirement to install XQuartz is mentioned on the download pages:
https://inkscape.org/en/download/
https://inkscape.org/en/download/mac-os/
as well as in the FAQ:
https://inkscape.org/en/learn/faq/#Apple_no_longer_includes_X11/Xquartz_with_OS_X

An minor update for <https://inkscape.org/en/download/mac-os/> is pending to remove one detail which provides legacy information about getting prompted for X11 - this only applies to older packages (Inkscape 0.48.5), but not to Inkscape 0.91.
Whether or not the X11/XQuartz application package is signed (AFAIK it is, so it is not an issue anyway) is not under Inkscape's control and would be detailed on the XQuartz landing page.

2) Current Inkscape packages are not signed - this is tracked in
* Bug #1363305 “Inkscape.app” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/1363305

3) Bypassing Gatekeeper (for unsigned application):
The current User FAQ does mention the Gatekeeper issue and lists two methods how to bypass Gatekeeper.
https://inkscape.org/en/learn/faq/#Apple%27s_new_GateKeeper_security_feature_may_prevent_Inkscape_from_opening

a) The first one describes how to temporarily change the settings for Gatekeeper to allow running apps from 'Anywhere':
«(…) If this happens, you can either (temporarily) lower the default security settings system-wide: (…)»
To the best of my knowledge this does work as described (including on Yosemite 10.10), and is the solution you found out yourself IIUC.

b) The second one describes how to temporarily override Gatekeeper settings on a per-app basis:
«(…) or bypass the stricter GateKeeper rules on a per-application basis: (…)»
As far as we know, this method currently does not work with Inkscape packages on recent versions of OS X - a new problem seemingly introduced with security updates provided by Apple earlier this year, tracked for Inkscape in earlier report:
* Bug #1478053 “New OS X Yosemite 10.10.4 installation: Inkscape 0.91 never launches”
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/1478053
Depending on the final resolution of bug #1478053 for Inkscape packages, the instructions on the download page will have to be updated.

Proposing to link as duplicate to bug #1478053.

[Adam Solymos (adyreg)]

Yeah, I also realised that the guide on the FAQ page actually contains the solution for this issue. I just wanted to inform you that not all ways worked for me. Personally I tried a kind of option B (per-application basis) first, which did not worked. This is why I assumed, that XQuartz also needs an approval. Anyway, after I tried the option A (changing security level temporarily), it did work for me, so now I can use Inkscape.
Also thanks for recognising this ticket as duplicate, I tried to search, but I did not find this one, you linked.
Thanks, Adam