Installing ACE on Macs running MacOS 13 and 14

This is an archived article, and it may be out-of-date, or contain information which is no longer accurate.

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On older versions of MacOS, Audio Hijack uses ACE, a powerful backend audio handling component. ACE enables Audio Hijack to capture audio on your Mac.

Installing ACE requires some quick setup, as mandated by Apple. The built-in ACE installer found in our products walks you through this.

On this page, we detail the full, step-by-step sequence needed to install ACE on MacOS 14 (Sonoma) and MacOS 13 (Ventura). This is a one-time process, and you’ll be up and running in just a few minutes.

Step-By-Step Instructions

M Chip Mac Intel Mac

Launch the Application

When you first launch the application, it will direct you to install ACE. Click the Install button to proceed.

Enter Password

Enter your Administrator password (generally, the password used to log in to your Mac), then click OK.

Acknowledge the System Alert

You'll now see a message from the system, stating that your system currently does not allow system extensions.

Click the Open System Settings button to proceed.

Open System Settings

If you previously clicked Open System Settings, you’ll already be in the right place. If not, open System Settings from the Apple () menu in the menu bar. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then scroll past the Privacy section to the Security area and click Enable System Extensions.

Unlock Privacy & Security

Enter your Administrator password when prompted.

Shut Down Your Mac

Click the Shut Down button to proceed.

Boot your Mac into Recovery

To boot to the Mac's “Recovery” environment, press and hold the Power button on your Mac.

When the screen says “Loading startup options…”, you can let go.

Choose Options

Click the Options item, and then click Continue.

Select an Admin User

Select a user with administrator privileges, then click Next.

Enter Your User Password

You'll be prompted for your login password. Enter it, then click Continue.

Open Startup Security Utility

In the menu bar, open the Utilities menu and then choose Startup Security Utility.

Unlock the Encrypted Disk

Click the Unlock button.

Enter Your User Password

You'll be prompted for your login password. Enter it, then click Unlock.

Adjust the Mac's “Security Policy”

Click your main system drive, then click the Security Policy… button. You can now adjust the security policy so ACE can run.

Switch to Reduced Security

Switch from the default Full Security option to Reduced Security, and enable the first checkbox labeled “Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers”.

Approve the Change

Enter your password, then click the OK button. The new security policy will then be applied. When it's finished, the Security Policy window will close.

Click the Apple () menu in the menu bar, to select Restart.

Acknowledge System Alert

After you restart your Mac, you’ll be prompted to open System Settings to enable the ACE component and complete the installation process.

Allow System Software in System Settings

If you’re not automatically directed there, open System Settings again. Head to the Privacy & Security section in the sidebar. Scroll down to the Security area, and click the option to Allow our software.

Enter Admin Password, Twice

You’ll be prompted for your password twice: once to unlock the setting, and again to authenticate your user account to use the extension.