Freephoneline.app for OS X

[LawrenceS]

Tonight and last spring, I downloaded and installed the OS X software. When I try to start it, I see a message telling me that it's damaged, and suggesting that I move it to the trash.

I'm now running El Capitan, and previously ran Yosemite.

What is the latest version of Freephoneline.app, and has it been tested with recent versions of OS X?

If the app won't work, is there a way to make an outgoing call via the web to prevent my account from going inactive?

Thanks

[Jake]

I believe this has something to do with Gatekeeper. I don't run OS X but this has come up a couple of times before. This page helped others get the app working https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202491

This is one of the threads http://forum.fongo.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8512 from before.

[LawrenceS]

Jake, thank you for your reply and links.

From some earlier posts, there was a problem that could be addressed by bypassing or altering Gatekeeper's screening of Freephoneline.app, yet it's not clear that this - http://forum.fongo.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8512#p66800 - wa resolved. This month, OS X identified a need to install an old version of Java to support "a legacy app", and I don't recall doing that in May 2015.

Regardless, I tried right-clicking the file and selecting Open... and what I saw wasn't a confirmation dialog, but rather, the dialog which reports that the file's damaged and should be moved to the trash. The Apple KB indicates that if a file has been modified by anyone other than the Developer, that dialog will appear, regardless of the Gatekeeper settings.

Freephoneline.app was released in, I believe, February 2013, yet the file was both Created and Modified on June 3, 2010. It's curious that it wasn't Modified closer to the release date, which leads me to wonder if it's the right version of the right file.

You're a Volunteer Moderator who also works in Support: Surely a known issue should be identified on the FPL download page, rather than being left for community support to handle.

I'm not sure that this OS X app will work, so if I have to, I may try the Windows app on the Mac (using Codeweavers' CrossOver), or on a Windows device, although neither approach is my preferred option. My preference is to be able to download an OS X app that works with a minimum of fuss.

[Jake]

I am quite literally a public volunteer for the forum only, nothing else. I don't work for support, or even Fongo

Anyway, I'm sorry that didn't help, as I mentioned in my post I don't run OS X so I couldn't test things for you. I do know it had helped people in the past when they got that error.

What I would suggest now is to send in a support ticket https://support.fongo.com/anonymous_requests/new
If you find that the ticket gets closed instantly (it is automated for many of the options), PM the ticket number to Fongo Support here on the forum. http://forum.fongo.com/ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&u=7852

If there is an issue with their software then it obviously needs fixing, so hopefully they will thank you for bring it to their attention.

Please let us know how you get on, as this may help other in the future.

[LawrenceS]

Jake, I'm sorry that I misinterpreted things, and I appreciate your ongoing assistance. I did try installing the Windows version into CrossOver, but unsuccessfully, and will continue to work on multiple fronts.

Thanks for your suggestions, and I'll keep the forum up to date.

[LawrenceS]

Jake, I sent a support ticket as you suggested, and the initial response was this:

Please be advised that this issue is with the Apple settings.
For more information, please review the article below:
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202491
On your MAC, Apple menu > System Preferences… > Security & Privacy > General tab
"Allow applications downloaded from everywhere"

That change in settings lets FPL run, but is an unsatisfactory solution because it's global rather than specific to FPL. I don't know why using the Control key and Open... doesn't work and leads to a Damaged app dialog. It would be a less permissive and risky approach, if it worked.

I suggested to Support that the dev apply to Apple for a Developer ID so that the FPL app can be signed and work with Gatekeeper, and Support's forwarding my comments to the dev team. For now, I can't ask for anything more; I do wish that I'd explored this more in the Spring.

After testing, I restored my Security & Privacy settings to a more restrictive level, so I won't be able to use the FPL app, but I should be able to receive faxes and voicemails via that number. I plan to periodically temporarily use "Allow applications downloaded from everywhere" and place an outgoing call, to keep my account active.

Although the issue isn't yet resolved, there's some positive news.

[Jake]

Thank you for letting us know.

Sorry it isn't really the solution you are after.