Warning: Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state

The error "Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state" typically shows macOS when Python applications interact with graphical user interfaces(GUIs).

It's a macOS system-level warning that the app doesn't comply with certain security requirements for saving and restoring application states.

Although this warning is often benign, it can be distracting or concerning, especially if you're developing or testing applications.

This issue is talked about on many forums:

Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state! I got this error by implementing NSApplicationDelegate.applicationSupportsSecureRestorableState: and returning YES. -reddit.com

Since I upgraded to Sonoma, VsCode tkinter application stopped and everything is blocked showing this error. -discussion.apple.com

When running Eclipse on macOS Sonoma, Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state showed. -github.com

In this article, we'll explore practical solutions to fix or mitigate this issue.

How to Fix Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state?

Below are several methods to resolve the Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state warning:

Method 1: Suppress the warning

If this error does not interfere with your application's functionality, you can suppress it by redirecting the standard error output. This approach ensures the warning does not clutter your terminal.

Let's add the following code snippet at the start of your Python script:

import os
import sys
# Suppress the secure coding warning
os.environ['OBJC_DISABLE_INITIALIZE_FORK_SAFETY'] = 'YES'
sys.stderr = open(os.devnull, 'w')

Method 2: Check app and macOS updates

Outdated software can often lead to compatibility issues, such as the fact that secure coding is not enabled for a restorable state. Ensure your macOS and Python environment are updated to their latest versions:

Or you can visit the official website to see Python updates.

Method 3: Add secure coding support

In the case that you're developing an application that uses a graphical user interface (GUI), it's essential to implement secure coding practices for state restoration. For instance, if you're using a framework like PyQt or Tkinter, review its documentation for macOS-specific configurations.

For example, in PyQt, you can utilize QSettings to manage the application's state securely:

from PyQt5.QtCore import QSettings
settings = QSettings("YourCompany", "YourApp")
settings.setValue("key", "value")

Method 4: Disable state restoration

Disabling state restoration can prevent macOS from attempting to manage application states.

Add the following line to your Python script:

import Cocoa
Cocoa.NSApplication.sharedApplication().disableAutomaticTermination('Prevent termination')

If you succeed in fixing the warning Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state, please share our post. Or you can share your answers.

Why causes Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state

Here we summarize the possible reasons leading to this trouble.

Maybe you can also find an alternative to Python for you failing to remove this error message, you'd better uninstall Python on Mac completely.

Final words

The warning "Secure coding is not enabled for restorable state" on macOS may seem daunting, but it's manageable with the right approach. If the issue persists, consider exploring the community forums or documentation for your specific tools and frameworks.

With these solutions, you can keep your Python applications running seamlessly on macOS.