macOS6 min read

Installing Nugget on Mac

Step-by-step guide to set up Nugget on macOS Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma.

1. Prerequisites

Before installing Nugget, make sure your Mac meets these requirements:

System Requirements

  • ✓macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later
  • ✓Intel or Apple Silicon Mac
  • ✓4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended)
  • ✓500MB free disk space
  • ✓Xcode Command Line Tools installed
  • ✓USB cable (Lightning or USB-C)

2. Install Xcode Command Line Tools

Nugget requires the Xcode Command Line Tools to communicate with iOS devices. Here's how to install them:

  1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal)
  2. Run the following command:
    xcode-select --install
  3. A popup will appear asking to install the tools. Click "Install"
  4. Wait for the installation to complete (this may take 5-10 minutes)
  5. Verify the installation by running:
    xcode-select -p

    You should see: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools

Already have Xcode? If you have the full Xcode app installed, the command line tools are already included. You can skip this step.

3. Download Nugget

  1. Visit the official Nugget releases page
  2. Find the latest release at the top
  3. Under "Assets", click on Nugget_macOS.zip to download
  4. The file will download to your Downloads folder
  5. Double-click the ZIP file to extract it

🛡️ Security Warning

Only download Nugget from the official GitHub repository. Third-party websites may distribute modified or malicious versions.

4. Bypass Gatekeeper

macOS Gatekeeper blocks apps from unidentified developers. Since Nugget isn't signed with an Apple Developer certificate, you'll need to allow it manually.

Method 1: Right-Click to Open (Easiest)

  1. Locate the extracted Nugget.app in Finder
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) on Nugget.app
  3. Select "Open" from the context menu
  4. Click "Open" in the dialog that appears

Method 2: System Preferences

  1. Try to open Nugget.app normally (double-click)
  2. When blocked, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security
  3. Scroll down to find the message about Nugget being blocked
  4. Click "Open Anyway"
  5. Enter your password when prompted

Method 3: Terminal (Advanced)

If the above methods don't work, use Terminal:

xattr -cr ~/Downloads/Nugget.app

Adjust the path if you extracted Nugget to a different location.

5. Connect Your Device

  1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac using a USB cable
  2. If prompted on your iOS device, tap "Trust" and enter your passcode
  3. Launch Nugget.app
  4. Your device should appear automatically in Nugget
  5. You'll see your device name, iOS version, and UDID displayed

USB-C to USB-C Connection

If you're using a newer Mac with only USB-C ports and an iPhone 15 or newer with USB-C, make sure you're using a USB-C cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.

✓ Ready to Go!

Once your device is detected, you can start customizing. Check out the Getting Started guide for your first customization.

6. Troubleshooting

Device Not Detected

  • Make sure Xcode Command Line Tools are installed
  • Try a different USB cable or port
  • Disconnect other USB devices
  • Restart both your Mac and iOS device
  • Check if Finder can see your device (it should appear in the sidebar)

"App is damaged" Error

This usually means Gatekeeper is blocking the app. Try:

xattr -cr /path/to/Nugget.app

Trust Prompt Not Appearing

  • Disconnect and reconnect your device
  • On your iOS device: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset Location & Privacy
  • Reconnect and the trust prompt should appear

Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Issues

If Nugget isn't working on Apple Silicon, try running it with Rosetta:

  1. Right-click Nugget.app and select "Get Info"
  2. Check "Open using Rosetta"
  3. Close the info window and launch Nugget

Apply Process Fails

  • Disable "Find My iPhone" temporarily
  • Make sure your device has at least 20% battery
  • Close Finder windows that might be accessing the device
  • Try using a direct USB connection (not through a hub)