Note: If using a different version of macOS, see the latest OS compatibility article. If using an Apple silicon M1 or M2 (non-Intel) Mac, see the Apple Silicon M1 & M2 Compatibility article.

• The latest UAD software is compatible with macOS Sonoma.
  

• Apollo and Satellite models connected via Thunderbolt are compatible.
  
• Apollo models with the Thunderbolt Option Card are compatible.
  
• UAD-2 PCIe cards are compatible.
• Apollo models connected via FireWire are incompatible. You can get compatibility with an Apollo Thunderbolt 3 option card. For more information on option cards, click here.
• UAD-2 Satellite FireWire are incompatible. UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt are compatible.
• Connections via Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter are incompatible.
• It may be the case after updating to macOS Sonoma that you need to uninstall and re-install the UAD software.  Reference the UAD Meter & Control Panel Application for any status messages.

UAD Installation on macOS Sonoma

With Sonoma, macOS system security requires the manual steps below to fully enable UAD and Apollo software. 

Note: Make sure to install the full version of macOS Sonoma as provided by Apple. Universal Audio does not support the beta version. Additionally, we recommend installing the Sonoma 14.4.1 update or later version.

Allow UAD software

1. Download and install the latest UAD software.
2. After restarting, open System Settings (from the Apple  Menu at top left corner of display).
3. Click Privacy & Security in the System Settings window.
4. Scroll down to the Security section, click Allow, and enter your password to continue. 

Important: Software must be allowed within 30 minutes of UAD installation.

Click Allow for Universal Audio software in System Settings (required).

Allow UAD software notes

• The Allow button is present for 30 minutes after installation. If the Allow button is not present after restarting your Mac, reinstall the UAD software.
• If software from multiple developers has been installed, the Privacy & Security pane may display "Some system software was blocked from loading." In this case, click Allow, a list will appear, and the software from each developer can be allowed individually.
  

Notification of Background Items

After installing UAD software, a Background Items Added notification appears. Background Items are required for UAD Software and run properly.     

Note: Always allow UAD Software background items. They are required for Apollo & UAD hardware. 

Background Items notifications

Login Items for UAD Software must be allowed in System Settings > General > Login items

Allow accessory to connect (Apple silicon only)

Click Allow when connecting Universal Audio hardware

Allow Audio Inputs

With macOS Sonoma, DAWs such as LUNA, and all other audio software apps, must be allowed to access audio inputs. This step enables all audio inputs from UA audio interfaces and microphones to be used as input sources.

To allow Apollo audio inputs in audio software, click “OK” when the alert dialog appears asking for access to the microphone.

Note: Apple uses “microphone” in this alert dialog, but the context includes inputs from any audio device. The text within this dialog may vary depending on the audio application.

Click OK in audio inputs access dialog.

How to manually allow audio inputs

Follow the steps below to manually allow audio application access to Apollo inputs in macOS Sonoma. These steps may be necessary if OK isn’t clicked in the microphone access dialog as described above.

1. Quit all audio applications.
2. Open System Settings from the Apple  Menu at top left corner of display.
3. Click Privacy & Security in the left column of System Settings, then click Microphone.
4. In the right column, select the app(s) to allow audio input access.
5. Enter your password if prompted.

Apollo audio inputs allowed and configured correctly.

Allow File Access for UA Mixer Engine

Allow the UA Mixer Engine access to the file system when requested by a DAW such as LUNA or other audio software. The UA Mixer Engine needs file access to save UAD plug-in preset files, LUNA session files, UAD Instrument presets, and sample libraries.

Click OK in UA Mixer Engine file access dialogs.

Allow Console Keystroke Passthrough

Apollo's Console app must be allowed to pass keystrokes. This allows your DAW to be controlled with the computer keyboard (for transport, record enable, etc.) when Console is the foreground application.

1. With the first keystroke when a DAW is open and Console is in the foreground, the Accessibility Access (Events) dialog appears asking to grant access to the UA Mixer Engine application.
2. Click Open System Settings in the dialog. The System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility panel appears.
3. Click the slider next to UA Mixer Engine and enter your password if prompted.

Click Open System Settings in the Accessibility Access (Events) dialog.  

Accessibility pane showing Console keystroke passthrough allowed.

How to manually allow Console keystroke passthrough

Follow the steps below to manually enable Console keystroke passthrough. These steps may be necessary if Open System Settings isn’t clicked in the Accessibility Access (Events) dialog as described above.

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility (from Apple Menu at top left corner of display).
2. At the bottom of the Accessibility panel, click the “+” button and navigate to:
   /Library/Application Support/Universal Audio/Apollo/
3. Click the UA Mixer Engine application so it is selected, then click Open.
4. Click the slider next to UA Mixer Engine and enter your password if prompted.