xLights 2024.19 Mac: permissions issue saving backups when opening xLights on external SSD using MacOS Sequoia 15.2

[theadster]

NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT ATTACH A SEQUENCE THAT DEMONSTRATES YOUR PROBLEM THEN THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY YOUR ISSUE WILL JUST BE CLOSED AND NOT INVESTIGATED.

Describe the bug
xLights is giving an error when opening the program where the show folder is on an external drive:
Unable to copy file "/Volumes/Extreme SSD/xLights Projects/Christmas Layout 2024/xlights_keybindings.xml"
Unable to copy file "/Volumes/Extreme SSD/xLights Projects/Christmas Layout 2024/xlights_networks.xml"
Unable to copy file "/Volumes/Extreme SSD/xLights Projects/Christmas Layout 2024/xlights_rgbeffects.xml"
xLights has been granted Full Disk Access and Local Network Access in the computer's Privacy & Security settings in the MacOS Sequoia 15.2 control panel.

Additionally, moving the backup folder to the computer's Desktop fixes the error. Setting it back to the show folder will produce the error again. Additionally, deselecting "Backup on Launch" in the xLights setting will fix the issue (presumable because backups are not being written)

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
(and/or link to a short video showing the problem with audio track describing what you are doing)

1. New install of MacOS Sequoia 15.2 on a a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro.
2. Download xLights from the App Store
3. Plug in an external drive that holds the show folder.
4. Open xLights and point to the external show folder.
5. As soon as xLights opens it throws an error about saving backups.

Expected behavior
xLights should be able to save a backup to the show folder which resides on an external drive. The error is specifically related to saving backups only as saving config files and sequences on the external drive has no permission issues at all.

Screenshots

Versions (please complete the following information):

• OS: MacOS Sequoia 15.2
• xLights version 2024.19 (both direct download and App Store version)

Additional context
Some troubleshooting notes. This only affects backups as xLights has full permission to the show folder. Modifying the RGB Effects File saves properly and modifying a sequence in the show folder also saves properly.

Attachments

• If associated with a crash please attach/link to a dropbox containing the crash log that was produced
• If it crashed but no crash log was produced please use Tools Menu/Package Logs and attach/link to a dropbox containing the resulting zip file
• If the error relates to rendering an effect or a crash while sequencing please use Tools Menu/Package Sequence and attach/link to a dropbox containing the resulting zip file

If you would prefer not to post your sequences publically please say so and be ready to PM them to one of the developers when asked.

[derwin12]

Reading various forums on this .. worth a try .. probably wont work but..
"Settings: Privacy and Security > Allow Accessories to Connect"

[theadster]

Reading various forums on this .. worth a try .. probably wont work but.. "Settings: Privacy and Security > Allow Accessories to Connect"

Changed that setting from "Ask for New Accessories" to "Always" and same result. Was a good guess tho!

[cybercop23]

This is all thanks to Apple, nothing to do with xLights.

[blun23]

Having the same issues, did all the fixes I was told and still does it. I stopped asking because I just keep getting it's because I have a Mac. My question is why didn't it do it the last 2 years?

[cybercop23]

@theadster Came to the zoom room so we can take a look and see what is happening.