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macOS Setup

Install and configure FFmpeg on macOS

Table of Contents

Installation

brew install ffmpeg

Using MacPorts

sudo port install ffmpeg

Verify Installation

ffmpeg -version

Bundling FFmpeg with Your App

For distribution via the Mac App Store or notarized apps, you'll want to bundle FFmpeg.

Download Static Build

  1. Download a static FFmpeg build from evermeet.cx
  2. Place the binary in your project

Add to Xcode Project

  1. In Xcode, right-click on Runner → Add Files to "Runner"
  2. Select the FFmpeg binary
  3. Ensure "Copy items if needed" is checked
  4. Add to the Runner target

Configure Build Phase

Add a "Copy Files" build phase:

  1. Select your target → Build Phases
  2. Add a "Copy Files" phase
  3. Destination: Executables
  4. Add the FFmpeg binary

Configure Fluvie

import 'dart:io';
import 'package:path/path.dart' as path;
import 'package:fluvie/fluvie.dart';

void main() {
  final execDir = path.dirname(Platform.resolvedExecutable);
  final ffmpegPath = path.join(execDir, 'ffmpeg');

  if (File(ffmpegPath).existsSync()) {
    FluvieConfig.configure(ffmpegPath: ffmpegPath);
  }

  runApp(MyApp());
}

Code Signing

When distributing your app, the bundled FFmpeg binary must be signed.

Sign the Binary

codesign --force --sign "Developer ID Application: Your Name" \
  --options runtime \
  path/to/ffmpeg

Entitlements

Create ffmpeg.entitlements:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory</key>
    <true/>
</dict>
</plist>

Sign with entitlements:

codesign --force --sign "Developer ID Application: Your Name" \
  --options runtime \
  --entitlements ffmpeg.entitlements \
  path/to/ffmpeg

Notarization

For distribution outside the App Store:

# Create a zip for notarization
ditto -c -k --keepParent YourApp.app YourApp.zip

# Submit for notarization
xcrun notarytool submit YourApp.zip \
  --apple-id your@email.com \
  --team-id YOURTEAMID \
  --password app-specific-password \
  --wait

# Staple the ticket
xcrun stapler staple YourApp.app

Troubleshooting

"ffmpeg" cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified

This happens when FFmpeg isn't properly signed. Either:

  1. Sign the binary as shown above
  2. Or for development, allow it in System Preferences → Security & Privacy

Library Not Loaded

If FFmpeg reports missing libraries:

# Check dependencies
otool -L /path/to/ffmpeg

Use a statically linked FFmpeg build to avoid dependency issues.

Sandboxed App Restrictions

If your app is sandboxed, FFmpeg may have limited file access. Ensure you:

  1. Request necessary entitlements
  2. Use app-accessible directories (Documents, temp)
  3. Or disable sandbox for development