MacOS warns DeDRM is 32-bit, will not work with Catalina this fall

[dutch9000]

The app Go64 reports that DeDRM contains a 32-bit app named "DeDRM Progress.app", and that DeDRM may not work after this fall's update to Mojave. Does this app matter? If so, are there plans to update it before this fall?

Thanks!

[ZolaLa9]

DeDRM Progress appears to matter. I opened the DeDRM app using "Show Package Contents" then deleted the DeDRM Progress file. When I tried to remove DRM using the modified DeDRM app, the app wouldn't run.

I was hoping DeDRM Progress was another AppleScript that could be easily saved as 64-bit, but that does not appear to be the case.

Hopefully a developer will update DeDRM Progress to 64-bit. Otherwise, the alternative would be to use the Calibre plugin — assuming that will still work in Catalina. (This fall's update is to Catalina; Mojave was last year's update.)

[dutch9000]

Thanks for the update! Duh, yeah, it's Catalina, not Mojave. And yes, I primarily use DeDRM through the Calibre plug-in, so maybe we're fine after all. I still hope someone updates DeDRM Progress, though, as from my early days as a developer I know that rebuilding your app to go from 32- to 64-bit isn't really a big deal very often. :) Thanks again!

[ZolaLa9]

There is a report on Alf's blog that Catalina is indeed balking on the DeDRM app, likely due to the 32-bit code in DeDRM Progress:

Just installed the latest public macOS 10.15 beta in a Fusion VM. Although I did figure out how to enable unsigned apps (sudo spctl –master-disable will do the magic), I was still unable to start the DeDRM 6.6.3 application, even when right clicking to open (Message: The application “DeDRM” can’t be opened). The ReadMe states that this is a 64bit app, any ideas why it would not launch?

https://apprenticealf.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/drm-removal-tools-for-ebooks/comment-page-49/#comment-69648

[BSVogler]

I can confirm that it can not launch on Catalina.

[hmahaffey]

Did you test just the app, or did you check the calibre plugin? Or would both be affected anyway? Thanks!!

[hmahaffey]

Ah, nevermind, I see on the other thread that the plugin does indeed work. Good news! Maybe someone will get to it some day. :) Thanks!

[ZolaLa9]

I finally found time to play with Catalina and was shocked to find DeDRM works just fine for me. It seems the 32-bit code in DeDRM Progress is not a show-stopper after all.

The question now is what is causing the problem on other Catalina systems?

What version Python are you all running? I am using the 2.7.16 that is built into Catalina. I have a vague recollection of DeDRM requiring Python 2.

[ptarsus07]

Thanks for this info, ZolaLa9; very much appreciate the confirmation that DeDRM can work on Catalina (at least in some cases).

Another problem for some of us that I'm hoping the community can address isn't limited to the DeDRM application itself but acquiring & downloading the AZW & EPUB files to be deDRMed. In the past, we've been able to use 32-bit versions of Kindle & ADE to download purchased content; because these no longer work in Catalina's 64-bit environment, we've got to find another way.

At Amazon, we're forced to install the latest version of Kindle to download the AZW & associated files; at Google Play & other stores, we're forced to use the latest version of ADE to download ACSM files for fulfillment. Ultimately, when we get these files, the DeDRM process doesn't work.

We are anxiously hoping/waiting for a solution to this; any input suggestions will be greatly appreciated by many.

[ZolaLa9]

It's possible to get Kindle for Mac 1.26.1 (the latest version) to work with DeDRM (at least for now) if you upgrade from a working setup with 1.23.1. Details here

There are also reports that the latest version of ADE (4.5.10) will work with DeDRM unless the vendor has turned on "hardened DRM". Is this the case with Google Play?

[net-buoy]

Using the methods suggested you can use 64 bit versions of Kindle for Mac and ADE under Catalina and the Calibre plugins all work beautifully. The only issue I still face is that I can't download books purchased from B&N, and I solved that by not buying from them anymore ;-)

On 10/24/19 8:39 AM, ptarsus07 wrote:

Thanks for this info, ZolaLa9; very much appreciate the confirmation that DeDRM can work on Catalina (at least in some cases).

Another problem for some of us that I'm hoping the community can address isn't limited to the DeDRM application itself but acquiring & downloading the AZW & EPUB files to be deDRMed. In the past, we've been able to use 32-bit versions of Kindle & ADE to download purchased content; because these no longer work in Catalina's 64-bit environment, we've got to find another way.

At Amazon, we're forced to install the latest version of Kindle to download the AZW & associated files; at Google Play & other stores, we're forced to use the latest version of ADE to download ACSM files for fulfillment. Ultimately, when we get these files, the DeDRM process doesn't work.

We are anxiously hoping/waiting for a solution to this; any input suggestions will be greatly appreciated by many.

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[ZolaLa9]

Yes, the Calibre plugins work. This thread is about the DeDRM standalone app, which works for me on Catalina, but won't open for others. Trying to figure out the reason. At first we thought it was because the app contained a bit of 32-bit code (inside DeDRM is a small applet called DeDRM Progress that is 32-bit), but that doesn't appear to be the problem since DeDRM is running for me, even with that bit of 32-bit code inside.

[mizuOda]

I don't think this has anything to do with Python versions or 32-bit remnants. There's something about unzipping Alf's tools on Catalina that places a red flag on the app.

Try this instead: unzip Alf's tools on a pre-Mojave Mac or maybe even a Windows machine. Retrieve the standalone app, then copy it to your Catalina machine. Right-click-Open and you should have the option to override Gatekeeper and open the standalone app.

But if you unzip Alf's tools on a Catalina machine (and I suspect a Mojave machine as well), Gatekeeper won't let you open it.

[stefan-plate]

@mizuOda I can confirm that the DeDRM standalone app works on Catalina, if the app is copied from a pre-Catalina machine (including, in my case, Mojave). If the package is downloaded from GitHub on a Catalina machine, the app will not start. My guess is, with this information it should not be too hard to fix this.

[ZolaLa9]

Interesting. What mizuOda says is consistent with what's happening on my Mac. Thanks! I also tested it with file downloaded and extracted on Windows 10 and it did NOT work, so it seems that it needs to be downloaded and unzipped on Mojave or earlier, then copied over to Catalina. How curious.

[fabiov64]

I unzipped with Unarchiver on Catalina and the app runs

[SLboat]

DeDRM Progress is break,can't run anymore,so the lot file drag to dedrm is break too bad CPU type in executable

[SLboat]

hope we can fix this soon:) i found the dedrm progress source,and upgrade it, check here : https://github.com/apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools/issues/925

[repentsinner]

The DeDRM/Contents/MacOS/droplet file does not have the executable bit set when unzipping on MacOS 10.15 via Archive Utility (double clicked) or /usr/bin/unzip. chmod a+x DeDRM.app/Contents/MacOS/droplet will allow the app to run (I did not further confirm if it does what it says on the tin).

FWIW contrary to the issue title MacOS 10.15 does not warn that DeDRM is 32bit, Go64 does; MacOS 10.15 just somewhat obtusely says the app "cannot be opened" with no specific reason given.

[lazingara]

sorry if this is a silly question, but how do I copy the DeDRM app before updating from Mojave to Catalina? Is it enough just to download and unzip the file, then re-install the app after the OS update? I'm guessing it's not possible (or not easy) to go back to Mojave after updating, so I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[ZolaLa9]

If you already have a working copy of DeDRM app, you should be good to go. No need to re-install. Just update from Mojave to Catalina and your existing DeDRM app should continue to work.

As an extra safeguard, you can save a copy of DeDRM app (the unzipped app) as backup before you update to Catalina.

If you use Kindle for Mac, see this post.

[erutan]

Just chiming in to say it wasn't running on Catalina for me, and following repentsinners advice worked. :)

[caramdache]

@repentsinners no longer works on 10.15.4.

Further progress was made here: https://github.com/apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools/issues/925