Electron Notarize is a free, open-source tool for developers who package desktop apps built with Electron and want them notarized for macOS. It follows Apple's own definition of a notarized app, so its terminology lines up with the official documentation. Before you start, note that the project has had no code updates since June 2019, so treat it as an older, unmaintained codebase rather than an actively developed product.
The tool is aimed at app builders, not everyday users. Its platform listing is macOS, and Windows builds are listed as likely rather than confirmed, so check the releases page before assuming a Windows package exists. The sections below explain what notarization involves, how to get and verify the program, and where it fits among related developer tools.
What Notarization Means for Desktop Apps
Notarization is Apple's check for macOS software before it is distributed outside the Mac App Store. The developer submits a signed app, Apple scans it for known malicious content, and approved software receives a ticket that macOS can verify.
For users, the result is simpler: the app opens without the strongest security warnings. For developers, notarization is a required step in a release process, and it has to be repeated for each new build.
Who Electron Notarize Is For
The clearest audience is a developer who ships an Electron app to Mac users. Imagine a small team that has built a portfolio tracker or a desktop dashboard and wants customers to open it without manual security overrides.
It is less suited to anyone who only runs existing Electron apps. Such users do not need a notarization tool at all. The program rewards readers who are comfortable with command-line builds, configuration files and reading source code.
Why Older Developer Tools Need Extra Scrutiny
Tools that wrap Apple's services depend on those services staying stable. Apple has updated its notarization tooling over the years, and a project that stopped receiving updates in 2019 may not match current requirements.
This does not mean the code is harmful, but it does mean you should test the output carefully on a clean Mac. Keep a record of which Xcode, macOS and Electron versions you used, so you can trace any problems later.
Key features
Apple Notarization Workflow
JavaScript and TypeScript Codebase
How to install Notarize your Electron app on Windows
- 1
Get the program from the official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/blockarraygroup/electron-notarize. Avoid mirror sites and file-sharing links, which are a common way to distribute altered software.
- 2
Verify the download
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the file with the value published by the project, if one is provided. If the release is signed, check the signature before you run or integrate anything from it.
-
Add it to your Electron project
This is a developer tool rather than a standalone installer, so integration happens inside your project. Follow the instructions in the repository README, and test on a throwaway project first, since the code has not changed since 2019.
How to use Notarize your Electron app
Electron Notarize runs during your build and release process, not as a day-to-day app. Plan to use it on a Mac with the Apple credentials that notarization requires, after your Electron app has been packaged. The steps below outline a typical workflow; confirm the exact commands in the README.
- Build your Electron app for macOS so you have a packaged app bundle.
- Make sure the app is signed with a Developer ID certificate, which notarization requires.
- Configure the notarization step with your Apple developer account details, using the options described in the README.
- Submit the app to Apple's notarization service and wait for the result.
- If your workflow includes it, attach the notarization ticket to the app or disk image so it can be checked offline.
- Test the final build on a clean Mac to confirm that it opens without warnings.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be read before use
- Focused on one well-defined task: notarizing Electron apps
- Based on Apple's own definition of a notarized app
- Written in JavaScript and TypeScript, familiar to many Electron developers
- No code updates since June 2019
- Primary platform is macOS; Windows builds are only listed as likely
- Narrow scope, so it does not cover the rest of a release pipeline
- Limited public activity may make troubleshooting harder
Is Notarize your Electron app safe?
Electron Notarize is a build-time tool that works with Apple developer credentials, so handle it carefully. Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running anything. The project has had no code updates since June 2019, so review the source yourself and check the latest version on the official website before using it. Never enter your Apple ID password, app-specific password or signing key on third-party websites, and do not share certificates. Keep your Developer ID private key in your keychain and limit who can access your build machine.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/blockarraygroup/electron-notarize. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Electron Notarize sits in a different place than most tools in the crypto category. PSBT Commander focuses on building Bitcoin transaction files, Subzero is about offline Bitcoin storage, and Dumplings is about CoinJoin analysis. Related IOHK Address Lib works with address logic. Electron Notarize handles none of those jobs. It helps prepare a desktop app for macOS distribution. If you need a release tool for an Electron app, it is the relevant option; for wallet or transaction work, the other programs are a better fit.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.1.1
- Last update
- 25 Jun 2019
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/blockarraygroup/electron-notarize
Frequently asked questions
Not in the usual sense. The program targets macOS, and its Windows build support is listed as likely rather than confirmed. If you need Windows packaging, check the releases page first and test the output before relying on it.
Notarization is Apple's process for checking macOS software before distribution. The developer submits a signed app, Apple scans it for known malicious content, and approved software receives a ticket that macOS can verify. Electron Notarize helps automate that workflow for Electron projects.
It is open source, so you can read the code, but it has not been updated since 2019. Download it only from the official website or GitHub, verify the checksum, and never share Apple credentials with third parties. Review the code before running it.
No. The last code update was on June 25, 2019, so the project should be considered unmaintained. It may still work for some setups, but test it thoroughly and be prepared to fix problems yourself.
Yes. It is listed as free and open source, with the source code available on GitHub. Notarization itself requires an Apple Developer account, which is separate from the tool and must be arranged directly with Apple.
In practice, yes. The tool fits into a build process rather than a point-and-click workflow, and it is aimed at people who package Electron apps. If you only want to run an existing Electron app on a Mac, you do not need it.
Verdict
Electron Notarize suits developers who ship Electron apps to macOS users and want a free, open-source starting point for notarization. It is a narrow tool, and its last update in 2019 means it needs careful testing and code review before you rely on it. If you need a Windows-focused utility or a crypto wallet, look at the alternatives below instead. Developers comfortable reading source code will get the most from it.