Fix: MacFuse Approval On MacOS Sequoia 15.6.1

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MacFuse 5.0.7 Approval Issues on macOS Sequoia 15.6.1: A Comprehensive Guide

Upgrading to the latest macOS, Sequoia 15.6.1, brings many enhancements, but it can also introduce compatibility issues with existing software. One such problem is the failure to approve MacFuse 5.0.7 extensions after the upgrade. This article dives deep into this specific issue, providing a detailed understanding of the problem and offering step-by-step solutions to resolve it. If you're experiencing difficulties with MacFuse after upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, you're in the right place. We will explore the root causes, analyze the error messages, and guide you through the troubleshooting process. So, let's get started and fix this issue together!

Understanding the MacFuse Approval Issue

After upgrading to macOS Sequoia 15.6.1, you might encounter a frustrating issue where the system prompts you to approve Benjamin Fleischer’s software in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Despite clicking "Approve" and restarting your Mac, the approval doesn't take effect. The Benjamin Fleischer button remains grayed out and unclickable, preventing MacFuse from functioning correctly. This issue is particularly problematic because MacFuse is essential for many applications that rely on its file system virtualization capabilities.

To put it simply, MacFuse allows your Mac to work with file systems it doesn't natively support, like NTFS or SSHFS. When the extensions fail to approve, these capabilities are lost, and applications that depend on MacFuse will fail to function correctly. Let’s delve into why this might be happening and what steps you can take to fix it.

The core of the problem lies in the way macOS handles kernel extensions (kexts). Kexts are essentially software add-ons that extend the operating system's functionality. MacFuse relies on a kext to provide its file system virtualization. When a new macOS version is installed, the system's security mechanisms may prevent older kexts from loading if they haven't been properly approved. This is a security measure designed to protect your system from malicious software, but it can sometimes interfere with legitimate applications like MacFuse.

Diagnosing the Problem: Key Indicators

Before attempting any fixes, it's essential to confirm that you are indeed experiencing this specific issue. Here are some key indicators that suggest you're facing the MacFuse approval problem on macOS Sequoia 15.6.1:

  1. System Prompt for Approval: After upgrading, you receive a system prompt asking you to approve software from Benjamin Fleischer in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
  2. Grayed Out Approval Button: Despite clicking "Approve" and restarting, the approval button for Benjamin Fleischer remains grayed out and unclickable.
  3. MacFuse Not Loading: Applications that depend on MacFuse fail to function correctly.
  4. kextstat Output: Running the command kextstat | grep fuse in the Terminal shows no loaded MacFuse extensions. This indicates that the MacFuse kext is not running.
  5. Manual Loading Failure: Attempting to manually load the MacFuse kext via sudo kmutil load -b io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23 results in an error message: "Error Domain=KMErrorDomain Code=27 'Extension with identifiers io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23 not approved to load. Please approve using System Settings.' UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Extension with identifiers io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23 not approved to load. Please approve using System Settings.}"

If you observe these indicators, it's highly likely that you're encountering the MacFuse approval issue. Now, let's move on to the troubleshooting steps.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Now that we've identified the problem, let's dive into the solutions. Follow these steps carefully to troubleshoot and resolve the MacFuse approval issue on macOS Sequoia 15.6.1.

Step 1: Verify MacFuse Installation

First, ensure that MacFuse is correctly installed on your system. If you haven't already, download the latest version of MacFuse (5.0.7 or later) from the official website. Make sure you download the correct version that is compatible with macOS Sequoia. Sometimes, a corrupted installation can lead to approval issues, so a fresh install can often resolve the problem.

  1. Download MacFuse: Visit the official MacFuse website and download the latest installer.
  2. Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install MacFuse. Make sure you grant all the necessary permissions during the installation process.
  3. Restart Your Mac: After the installation is complete, restart your Mac to ensure all components are properly loaded.

After restarting, check if the approval prompt reappears in System Settings > Privacy & Security. If it does, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Manually Approve MacFuse Extensions

The most common reason for this issue is that the system hasn't properly registered the approval of the MacFuse extensions. Manually approving them through System Settings is the next step.

  1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings".
  2. Go to Privacy & Security: In System Settings, find and click on "Privacy & Security".
  3. Look for Benjamin Fleischer: Scroll down to the "Security" section. You should see a message indicating that software from Benjamin Fleischer was blocked from loading. There should be an "Approve" button next to it.
  4. Click "Approve": Click the "Approve" button. You may need to click the padlock icon in the bottom-left corner to unlock the settings and enter your administrator password.
  5. Restart Your Mac (Again): After approving the extension, restart your Mac to ensure the changes take effect.

Even after these steps, some users report that the approval doesn't stick. If this is the case for you, don’t worry! We have more advanced troubleshooting techniques to try.

Step 3: Check System Extension Policies

macOS uses system extension policies to manage which kernel extensions are allowed to load. Sometimes, these policies can prevent MacFuse extensions from being approved. We need to check and potentially modify these policies.

  1. Open Terminal: Open the Terminal application. You can find it in /Applications/Utilities.

  2. List System Extensions: Run the following command to list all system extensions:

    systemextensionsctl list

    This command will show you the list of system extensions, along with their identifiers and approval status. Look for entries related to MacFuse (e.g., io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23).

  3. If No Extensions Listed: If the output shows "0 extension(s)", it means that your system isn't recognizing any system extensions, which is unusual. This could indicate a more significant problem with your system's configuration. In this case, you might want to try reinstalling MacFuse or consider more advanced troubleshooting steps.

  4. Check for Errors: If you see any error messages related to MacFuse, make a note of them. These messages can provide valuable clues about the underlying issue.

Step 4: Manually Load the Kernel Extension

If the system extension policies seem correct, but MacFuse still isn't loading, you can try manually loading the kernel extension using the kmutil command. This is a more direct way of telling the system to load the MacFuse kext.

  1. Open Terminal: Open the Terminal application.

  2. Load the Kext: Run the following command to manually load the MacFuse kernel extension:

    sudo kmutil load -b io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23

    You'll be prompted to enter your administrator password.

  3. Analyze the Output: If the command is successful, you won't see any output. However, if it fails, you'll see an error message. The error message we saw earlier, "Error Domain=KMErrorDomain Code=27", is particularly relevant here. It indicates that the extension hasn't been approved.

Step 5: Verify Code Signing

macOS uses code signing to ensure that software is legitimate and hasn't been tampered with. If the code signature of the MacFuse kext is invalid, the system will refuse to load it. Let's verify the code signing.

  1. Open Terminal: Open the Terminal application.

  2. Check Code Signature: Run the following command to check the code signature of the MacFuse kext:

    codesign -dv /Library/Filesystems/macfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/14/macfuse.kext

    This command will display information about the code signature, including the identifier, format, and team identifier.

  3. Look for Errors: If the command fails or shows any errors related to the signature, it indicates a problem with the code signing. This could mean that the kext is corrupted or that there's an issue with your system's security settings.

  4. Expected Output: A successful output should include lines like:

    Executable=/Library/Filesystems/macfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/14/macfuse.kext/Contents/MacOS/macfuse
Identifier=io.macfuse.filesystems.macfuse.23
Format=bundle with Mach-O universal (x86_64 arm64e)
CodeDirectory v=20200 size=513 flags=0x0(none) hashes=10+3 location=embedded
Signature size=9075
Timestamp=30 Sep 2025 at 01:21:31
Info.plist entries=19
TeamIdentifier=3T5GSNBU6W
Sealed Resources version=2 rules=13 files=0
Internal requirements count=1 size=228

    Pay attention to the TeamIdentifier. A valid TeamIdentifier (like 3T5GSNBU6W in this example) indicates that the software is signed by a known developer.

Step 6: Check Configuration Profiles

Configuration profiles can enforce system-wide settings, including policies related to kernel extensions. If there's a configuration profile that's blocking MacFuse extensions, it could explain the approval issue. Let's check for any installed profiles.

  1. Open Terminal: Open the Terminal application.

  2. List Profiles: Run the following command to list all installed configuration profiles:

    sudo /usr/bin/profiles -L -o stdout

  3. Analyze the Output: The command will output a list of installed profiles in the system domain. If there are no profiles, you'll see:

    There are no configuration profiles installed in the system domain
{
}

  4. Look for Restrictions: If there are profiles listed, examine their contents to see if they contain any restrictions related to kernel extensions or developer certificates. If you find a profile that might be interfering with MacFuse, you may need to remove it or modify its settings. Be cautious when modifying configuration profiles, as incorrect changes can destabilize your system.

Step 7: Reset System Extension Policy (Advanced)

If none of the previous steps have worked, you can try resetting the system extension policy database. This is a more drastic step, as it will remove all existing approvals and require you to re-approve any kernel extensions. However, it can sometimes resolve persistent approval issues.

  1. Boot into Recovery Mode: Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode.

  2. Open Terminal: In Recovery Mode, go to the "Utilities" menu and select "Terminal".

  3. Reset Kext Policy: Run the following command to reset the kernel extension policy database:

    kmutil trigger-reset-owner-trust

  4. Reboot: After running the command, restart your Mac.

  5. Re-Approve Extensions: After rebooting, you'll likely be prompted to approve MacFuse extensions again in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Make sure to approve them.

Warning: Resetting the system extension policy can have unintended consequences. Make sure you understand the implications before proceeding with this step.

Conclusion: Getting MacFuse Approved on macOS Sequoia 15.6.1

Dealing with kernel extension approval issues can be a headache, but by systematically following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get MacFuse 5.0.7 working correctly on macOS Sequoia 15.6.1. Remember to verify your installation, manually approve extensions, check system extension policies, and, if necessary, reset the system extension policy. If you've gone through all these steps and are still facing issues, it might be time to seek help from the MacFuse community or Apple Support.

By understanding the underlying causes and systematically addressing them, you can overcome the MacFuse approval problem and continue to enjoy the benefits of this powerful file system virtualization tool. So, keep troubleshooting, and you'll get there!