Auto Activation on macOS 27
Due to permission restrictions on macOS 27 the Mac App Store version of Typeface needs a helper app to auto activate fonts.
Sandbox restrictions
Typeface app is a secure, sandboxed macOS application. That means it only has access to the fonts you import and cannot access any of your personal files.
The sandbox also restricts the use of several system services to protect your privacy, such as recording your screen, camera and microphone or seeing what you type in other apps.
On macOS 27 Golden Gate listening for font requests from other apps seems to be restricted as well. It’s unclear whether this is a deliberate restriction or a bug.
When you open a document in a design app or word processor that application will try to load the fonts used in that document. Fonts that are not activated will be sent as font requests to font managers such as Typeface. Unfortunately Typeface does not receive these requests anymore on macOS 27, therefore it cannot auto activate fonts for native macOS apps such as Affinity, Sketch, Photoshop and others.
Get the helper app
To enable auto activation for the Mac App Store version of Typeface you can download a separate helper app. This helper application can listen for font requests on macOS 27 and forwards them to Typeface.
Requirements
- macOS 27 Golden Gate
- The latest version Typeface app purchased on the Mac App Store (the Standalone/Setapp versions don’t need the helper app)
- > > > > needs to be enabled
Installation
- Download the Typeface Auto Activation Helper app
- Unzip the app and move it to your Applications folder
- Open the helper app
- Turn on Enable Service
The helper app will show green checkmarks if all requirements are met. It will automatically run in the background when Typeface is open, so you can close the helper app and auto activation will continue to work.
Is the helper app safe?
This helper application is not sandboxed such that it can listen for font requests on macOS 27. These requests are securely forwarded to the App Store version of Typeface.
Sandboxed applications are inherently more secure since they have access to fewer things on your Mac. That doesn’t mean that non sandboxed apps are insecure, but you do have to be more careful. Always make sure you trust the developer before installing apps on your Mac.
The Typeface Auto Activation Helper is notarized, which means it has been checked by Apple for malicious components and it has been signed by a registered macOS developer. Unnotarized apps will show a warning when trying to open them. For more information see: support.apple.com/en-us/102445
Is the helper app required to use Typeface?
No, you don’t need the helper app to use Typeface and manage your fonts. The helper app is optional and is only used if you’d like to enable auto activation for Affinity, Sketch, Photoshop and other native macOS apps on macOS 27.
On earlier versions of macOS Typeface receives font requests natively. The helper app is also not necessary to use auto activation for Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe InCopy and QuarkXpress.
How to uninstall the helper app?
To remove the helper app from your Mac please follow these steps:
- Open the helper app
- Turn off Enable Service
- Close the helper app
- Remove the helper app from your Applications folder