Back in October 2019, macOS v10.15 (aka Catalina) was released. Many MapForge Mac users updated to this OS without realizing that they would lose the ability to run 32-bit apps (including MapForge).
Since then, there have been numerous ways to continue using MapForge on affected Macs (Parallels, VMWare Fusion, or Virtualbox, as well as the Apple-recommended method noted on the System Requirements page), but now there’s a totally free solution that doesn’t require running the app in a virtual machine (which demands a lot of overhead) or rebooting your computer. You can now run this WINE-enabled version of MapForge, without having to pay for third-party software (e.g. Crossover Mac).
Download and Install
Download a DMG file of the WINE version of MapForge by clicking here. (Note: It’s a rather hefty download, weighing in at 986 MB)
Note: If the download link above doesn’t work, you may need to right-click on it and select “Save Link As…”, instead.
This is actually the Windows version of MapForge v1.3.1, encased in a 64-bit WINE wrapper that will allow the app to run on Macs that have Catalina OS or greater installed, despite the app itself still being a 32-bit app. So to be perfectly clear, this is NOT a 64-bit version of MapForge.
Initial Configuration Instructions
When first installed, the program will not be able to run right away. That’s because macOS’s Gatekeeper feature has automatically put the downloaded app in quarantine, and will not allow it to launch. So some initial configuration is required to bypass this security feature. The following video walks you through this procedure.
For those who prefer text-based instructions
Mount the DMG file and copy MapForge over to your hard drive. Open the MapForge folder so that the “MapForge.app” file is showing.
Launch the Terminal app, then paste in this command (be sure to include the space after the word “quarantine”):
xattr -drs com.apple.quarantine
Don’t press Return yet.
Drag-and-drop the “MapForge.app” file into Terminal, so that it automatically fills in the filepath for you (this saves you from having to type it out, and avoids potential typos).
Now press Return.
MapForge should now be safe from Gatekeeper quarantine, and be able to run properly.
Find the MapForge app, control-click on it and select the Open command. If asked “Are you sure you want to open this file?” (or something to that effect), say Yes.
MapForge should now run. Subsequent launches of the app can be done by simply double-clicking the MapForge app.
For existing customers and Kickstarter/Indiegogo backers
License and Add-On registration codes that were previously issued for the non-WINE version of MapForge will not work with the WINE version, so you will need to claim new codes (free of charge). When you do so, your original (pre-Catalina) codes will be revoked.
If you have purchased a MapForge license (and/or any paid Add-Ons), follow these instructions to submit your Challenge Code. I will respond to these requests on a first-come, first-served basis.
While you’re waiting to receive your new codes, go ahead and test out the software to make sure all features are working as expected. There are loads of free Add-Ons available for this task. I suggest only adding in around 5 Add-Ons at a time, so as not to overwhelm the app with 40 or 50 first-run Add-Ons all at once (doing that can cause problems, since it can potentially result in corrupted cache files that will cause the app to become unstable during use).
