Application stopped working — claims it requires new OS X version, but it worked before

applicationsversions

After restarting my computer, running OS X 10.8.5, the old GitHub client suddenly stopped working with the following error message:

You can’t use this version of the application “GitHub Desktop” with this version of OS X.

You have OS X 10.8.5. The application requires OS X 10.9 or later.

However, the very same application had been working previously with no issues. Is any way I can restore it?

I have downloaded the same application again from this direct download link,
but now it is still blocked from starting with the same message, by what looks like only a system lock outside the application.

Is there any way to bypass that blocking setting and start the application?

Here is a screenshot of the message:

Best Answer

According to Updating GitHub Desktop the client updates itself automatically:

GitHub Desktop automatically downloads updates and installs them when you restart. You can also manually check for updates.

It appears that Github has updated their build toolchain server to a newer version of Xcode not supporting Lion.

You need to stay on the old version.

You may want to contact Github to get the newest build you can still use.

Related Solutions

MacOS – Block an application’s read/write access to a specific file in OS X

You could just use the built-in sandboxing features of Mac OS X.

Create a custom profile that limits access to the SystemVersion.plist file, using syntax like this:

(version 1)
(deny file* (literal "/System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist"))
(allow default)

Save that as for example ~/myprofile.sb and then run your program like this:

sandbox-exec -f ~/myprofile.sb "/Application/My Program.app/Contents/MacOS/My Program"

MacOS – How to open applications regardless of required version

That check is done by checking the application's plist.

Right click on the application and click "Show Package Contents"
Open "Contents"
Open "Info.plist"
Scroll down to where it says "LSMinimumSystemVersion" or "Minimum system version" depending on the editor you're using.
Replace the string on the next line which should be "10.8.5" (or to the right of the key, again, depending on the editor) with "10.7.5". Try to open the app again.

You may have to restart after this change.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MacOS – Block an application’s read/write access to a specific file in OS X

MacOS – How to open applications regardless of required version

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