If you’re a Mac user who recently upgraded to macOS Sequoia and noticed that your favorite Setapp apps have stopped updating—or worse, won’t launch at all—you’re not alone. This curious case has puzzled many loyal Setapp subscribers. But don’t worry, we dug into the glitch, found a fix, and it’s easier than you might think. Want your apps back without chasing down error messages? Let’s break down what happened and how a tiny daemon repair saved the day.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
macOS Sequoia updates caused an issue with Setapp apps not updating or launching correctly. Turns out, it was a problem with the Setapp license daemon. Thankfully, repairing the daemon restores full access to your apps. Read on to learn how to do it step-by-step!
What Is Setapp, and Why Are My Apps Acting Up?
Setapp is like a Netflix for Mac apps. You subscribe once, and you get access to a curated library of top-tier productivity and utility apps. It’s trusted and well-loved by power users everywhere. However, with the release of macOS Sequoia, many Setapp users noticed something strange:
- Apps weren’t updating.
- Some refused to launch.
- Others asked for a license key.
These issues weren’t just annoying—they broke workflows. At the heart of the chaos was something quietly running in the background: the license daemon.
Meet the License Daemon: Your Invisible App Butler
The license daemon is a helper service that runs silently, making sure your Setapp subscription is valid and your access to apps is smooth. It’s like your digital butler. But when macOS Sequoia arrived, it changed some internal rules and security layers that affected third-party software like Setapp.
As a result, the license daemon stopped doing its job. Apps couldn’t verify your subscription. No one told the apps you were still a paying customer!
Signs You’re Affected
Here are a few telltale signs that the license daemon has crashed or gone missing after your system update:
- Apps won’t open and pop up a “License not found” message.
- Setapp apps stay frozen during updates.
- The Setapp desktop app doesn’t load or shows a spinner forever.
- Programs disappear from your Applications folder after a reboot.
If you said “yes” to one or more of those, don’t panic. We’ve got a surprisingly simple fix.
The Fix: Repairing the License Daemon
Okay, here’s the best part. Setapp has a built-in way to repair the license daemon. It’s not magic, but it sure feels like it when it works.
- First, open your Setapp desktop app. If you can’t see it in Applications, try launching it from Spotlight (Command + Space and type “Setapp”).
- In the top-right corner, click on the profile icon (your initials or user photo).
- Click Help from the dropdown menu.
- Choose Repair License Daemon.
This tool will restart the license service that authenticates your apps. It usually takes less than a minute. Once it’s complete, your apps should immediately spring back to life!
What If That Doesn’t Work?
In rare cases, the repair option won’t fix the issue. Maybe a system permission is preventing the daemon from running or a deeper MacOS quirk is interfering. Try one of these workarounds:
- Reboot your Mac. Simple, but often helpful.
- Reinstall the Setapp app. Download the latest version from their website and install it fresh.
- Check Security & Privacy settings. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and review any blocked extensions or permissions.
- Contact Setapp Support. Their team is fast and helpful. Seriously.
Why Did This Even Happen?
The problem began when Apple introduced greater security protocols in macOS Sequoia. These new rules impacted background services like daemons, especially if they weren’t updated to align with the new security model. Setapp’s license daemon, designed for earlier versions of macOS, struggled to run properly.
The Setapp team quickly spotted the problem, but for users who had auto-updates off or the daemon stuck in a “dead” state, the fix didn’t deploy automatically. That’s why knowing about the manual repair was key.
How to Avoid This in the Future
Nobody likes downtime, especially when your everyday tools stop working. Here’s what you can do to stay ahead of issues like this:
- Enable automatic updates on both macOS and Setapp.
- Restart your Mac regularly. It lets daemons refresh and system updates finish properly.
- Keep an eye on app behavior. If something seems off after an OS update, check forums, Reddit, or Setapp support first.
- Bookmark this article (wink wink!). You never know when the license daemon might pull a disappearing act again.
Setapp’s Response and Future Fixes
To their credit, Setapp responded quickly once reports started flooding in. They rolled out a patch update with improved daemon handling. They’ve also added automatic license daemon recovery in future builds. That means even if you update macOS, Setapp will now more likely self-heal and keep you rolling.
Behind the scenes, Setapp is also working on transitioning more of their license verification to a cloud-based model. That way, your apps won’t be so tightly tied to a background process that may misbehave with new macOS versions. Nice move, Setapp!
Users to the Rescue
This wouldn’t be a fun Mac story without the community stepping in. Mac forums, Mastodon posts, and good old Reddit threads were ablaze, sharing fixes and diagnosing the problem often before any “official” word came through. In fact, the daemon repair tip first showed up in a Reddit thread days before Setapp officially posted about it. Community MVPs, you know who you are!
Final Thoughts
macOS Sequoia may have ruffled some feathers, but with a little understanding—and a quick license daemon repair—your workflow doesn’t have to suffer. These blips happen when powerful tech stacks bump into each other. But they’re usually solvable with a bit of patience and the right knowledge.
So if your Ulysses won’t launch, your CleanMyMac is acting dusty, or Paste forgot how to paste—just remember: It might be your invisible butler (the license daemon) needing a reboot.
Now get back to doing awesome stuff with your Mac!
PS: Make sure you’re telling Time Machine to back up your Mac once in a while. Because the next update might not be so polite!
