• Introduction
• Requirements
• Download
• Technologies
• Features
  • Menu Bar Icon
  • Title and logo
  • Color
  • Diagnostic information
  • App and Link shortcuts
• Configuration
• How to use SF Symbols
• MDM deployment
  • Jamf Pro custom JSON Schema
  • Installer or app bundle
  • Sample LaunchAgent
  • Sample Configuration Profile
• Known issues
• Changelog
• Note and disclaimer

The Support app is a macOS menu bar app built for organizations to:

• Help users and helpdesks to see basic diagnostic information at a glance
• Offer shortcuts to easily access support channels or other company resources such as a website or a file server
• Give users a modern and native macOS app with your corporate identity

The app is developed by Root3, specialized in managing Apple devices. Root3 offers consultancy and support for organizations to get the most out of their Apple devices and is based in The Netherlands (Haarlem).

Root3 already had a basic in-house support app written in Objective-C and decided to completely rewrite it in Swift using SwiftUI with an all-new design that looks great on macOS Big Sur. We’ve learned that SwiftUI is the perfect way of creating great looking apps for all Apple platforms with minimal effort. In the development process we decided to make it generic so other organizations can take advantage of it and contribute to the Mac admins community.

The easiest and recommended way to configure the app is using a Configuration Profile and your MDM solution.

• macOS 11.0.1 or higher
• Any MDM solution supporting custom Configuration Profiles

Package Installer (includes LaunchAgent): Download

Application (zipped): Download

See the MDM deployment section below for more info.

• Written in Swift using SwiftUI
• All icons are SF Symbols
• Built for and compatible with macOS 11.0 and higher
• Native support for Apple Silicon
• Dark Mode support
• Colors are matched with your macOS accent color (blue by default)
• MDM support to configure your own branding such as a custom title, logo, SF Symbols and contact methods
• Notarized
• Sandboxed
• Localization in English and Dutch

The Menu Bar Icon can be customized to your own PNG with Alpha Channel or using an SF Symbol. Any image will be shown as template to match the rest of the Menu Bar Extras.

The row above the buttons allow a custom title and company logo. The logo supports several images types like PNG, JPEG and ICNS and will be resized to a maximum height of 48 points. The original aspect ratio will be retained. A PNG with alpha channel is advised to get variable transparency around your logo.

All the circles around the symbols have the macOS accent color and will dynamically change with the user's setting in System Preferences --> General. If desired, this color can be customised matching your corporate colors. We recommend keeping the macOS accent color when the color of your choice is too light, as text will be difficult to read.

• Computer Name: The current computer name will be displayed here. Especially helpful when your organisation has a difficult naming convention and users want to do things like AirDrop.

• macOS version: The current version of macOS including major, minor and patch version as well as the marketing name. The marketing name will be easier to understand for your end users. Clicking on this item opens About This Mac.

• Last Reboot: The current uptime. When troubleshooting some issue, the first thing you would like to do is a reboot when the uptime is high.

• Storage Used: The storage percentage used on the boot drive. When hovering with the mouse, the available storage is shown. Clicking on this item opens the macOS built-in Storage Management app.

The buttons in the 3rd and 4th row behave as shortcuts to applications or links. You can configure five variables for every of these buttons:

• Title: Button label

• Subtitle (now shown if not configured): An extra string to display when the user hovers over the button

• Type: The link type the button should open, app or URL

• Link: Application (based on the bundle identifier) or Link to open

• Symbol: The symbol shown in the button, see the SF Symbols section how to use these symbols

The rows with configurable items are shown in the screenshot below:

The configuration of the Support app is optimized for use with your MDM solution. The easiest way to configure the app is using a Configuration Profile so you can use whatever MDM solution you like, as long as it supports custom Configuration Profiles.

Some preference keys like the icon and status bar icon point to a file location. Due to the sandboxed characteristic of the app, not all file locations are allowed. We suggest putting the files in a folder within Application Support such as /Library/Application Support/Your Company/ where the app can read the contents. Other supported file locations can be found in Apple’s documentation about App Sandbox: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/AppSandboxDesignGuide/AppSandboxInDepth/AppSandboxInDepth.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40011183-CH3-SW17

Below are all available preference keys:

We choose to go all the way with SF Symbols as these good looking icons are designed by Apple and give the app a native look and feel. All icons have a symbol name which you can use in the Configuration Profile. As these icons are built into macOS, it automatically shows the correct icon.

• Download SF Symbols here
• Select the icon you’d like to use
• Copy the symbol name and paste into your Configuration Profile

It is recommended to deploy the Configuration Profile first before installing the Support app.

A JSON Schema for Jamf Pro is provided for easy configuration of all the preference keys without creating/modifying a custom Configuration Profile in XML format. Download the JSON file here

More information about the JSON Schema feature in Jamf Pro: https://docs.jamf.com/technical-papers/jamf-pro/json-schema/10.19.0/Overview.html

Depending on your preference or MDM solution you can use either the installer or zipped app bundle. The installer includes a LaunchAgent and is the recommended method.

A sample LaunchAgent to always keep the app alive is provided here

A sample Configuration Profile you can edit to your preferences is provided here

• Buttons may keep a hovered state when mouse cursor moves fast: FB8212902

• Root3 developed this application as a side project to add additional value for our customers
• The application can be used free of charge and is provided ‘as is’, without any warranty
• Comments and feature request are appreciated. Please file an issue on Github