25.23. mSupply Client for a MAC

From mSupply V9 onwards, the mSupply Single user and the mSupply server for MAC is no longer supported. The mSupply Foundation had to stop creating these two MAC application partly due to increasing license cost and theses two apps haven't been deployed in the live environment by our clients, Windows are more primarily been used so far.

However we do have users who have MAC and would like to be able to access the mSupply windows server for both data entry and reporting needs. This is guide to how a mSupply Client app for MAC can be used.

Prerequisites

The Mac must be on the same network as the mSupply server (or otherwise have network access to it — VPN, port forwarding, etc.).

You will need the server's IP address to enter into the Client's custom connection settings.

A working copy of the mSupply Client.app build for Mac. For mSupply V9, you can find it here : mSupply Client V9

Setup Steps

Confirm the Mac is on the same LAN/network as the mSupply server. If not, arrange VPN/remote access first.

Install the mSupply Client.app on the Mac.

Open mSupply Client and go to the custom server connection setting.

Enter the server's IP address (rather than a hostname) in the custom setting field.

Connect and confirm the client reaches the server.

Code Signing (may be required)

macOS Gatekeeper may block an unsigned mSupply Client.app from opening. If this happens:

The app can be locally code-signed on a Mac before distributing it to the end user (this has been done successfully by support staff prior to sending the app to a client).

Note: exact code-signing command/procedure is not yet documented — add the specific steps here once standardized (e.g. codesign –force –deep –sign - /path/to/mSupply\ Client.app).

Version Notes

For sites needing an update alongside a Mac setup, running the relevant version upgrader (e.g. V9.01.03) on the server may be sufficient — check the current recommended version before advising a client.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Is the Mac on the same network as the server? If not, that's the most common blocker.

Try connecting using the server's IP address directly instead of a hostname in the custom setting.

Does macOS refuse to open the app (Gatekeeper warning)? → Locally code-sign the Client.app.

Confirm the server itself is reachable (ping / port check) before assuming it's a client-side issue.

Known Limitations / Open Work

There's an open GitHub issue to build a server executable that is more Mac-client-friendly: https://github.com/msupply-foundation/msupply/issues/18363. Check this issue for current progress before troubleshooting from scratch.

This guide should be reviewed and expanded by the support team (see internal ticket #GT-9612-AP) — particularly the code-signing steps, which haven't been fully written up yet.

References

Support ticket: #GT-9612-AP — Setup for Mac in Kiribati

GitHub issue: https://github.com/msupply-foundation/msupply/issues/18363

Client: Peter Laing, Beyond Essential Systems (Kiribati)

Last updated: drafted from ticket #GT-9612-AP. Please edit/expand with exact code-signing commands and any additional edge cases encountered.