Status Badges
AppPorts displays the current status of apps and data directories using capsule-shaped colored badges. Some badges are clickable for detailed information.
App Status Badges
Link Status
| Badge | Icon | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linked | link | Green | App migrated to external storage with local entry |
| Locked Migration | lock.fill | Green | Linked and locked with uchg, preventing self-updates from damaging external app |
| Unlocked Migration | lock.open | Orange | Linked but not locked; in-app updates may delete external app |
| Partial Link | link.badge.plus | Yellow | Partial app components linked (e.g., some .app files in a directory) |
| Orphan Link | link.badge.exclamationmark | Red | External storage app lost but local entry still exists |
| Unlinked | externaldrive.badge.xmark | Orange | App on external storage but not linked back locally |
| External | externaldrive | Orange | App on external storage with no local entry |
| Local | macmini | Secondary color | Regular local app, not migrated; shown when no other tags present |
Framework Labels
| Badge | Icon | Color | Meaning | Click Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkle | arrow.triangle.2.circlepath | Cyan | Uses Sparkle framework for auto-updates | After migrating to external storage, in-app updates may cause external app loss; locked migration recommended |
| Electron | atom | Indigo | Based on Electron framework with auto-update support | After migrating to external storage, in-app updates may cause external app loss; locked migration recommended |
Type Labels
| Badge | Icon | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | play.fill | Purple | App currently running |
| System | lock.fill | Gray | macOS system application |
| Non-native | iphone | Pink | iOS/iPadOS app (running via Apple Silicon) |
| Store | applelogo | Blue | Mac App Store application |
Special Labels
| Badge | Icon | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-signed | seal.fill | Cyan | App has been Ad-hoc re-signed (executed when "Damaged" appears after migration) |
💡 Special Note on Store Label
When an app meets the following conditions, the "Store" label becomes clickable and displays macOS 15.1+ native installation instructions:
- App is located in the
/Volumes/{drive}/Applications/directory on external storage - Natively managed by macOS; App Store can perform incremental updates directly in this directory
Data Directory Status Badges
| Status | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Local | Secondary color | Directory on local storage, not migrated |
| Linked | Green | Migrated to external storage; local is a symbolic link |
| Needs Normalization | Yellow | AppPorts-managed link, but external path not at canonical location; "Normalize" operation recommended |
| Needs Relinking | Orange | External storage data exists but local symbolic link lost; "Relink" operation recommended |
| Existing Soft Link | Blue | User-created symbolic link (not created by AppPorts); option to take over management |
App Status Combinations
An app may display multiple badges simultaneously:
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[Linked] [Sparkle] [Running]Meaning: App migrated to external storage, uses Sparkle auto-update framework, currently running.
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[External] [Store] [Non-native]Meaning: iOS app (Mac version) on external storage, installed via App Store.
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[Orphan Link]Meaning: External storage app lost or removed, but local entry still retained. Manual unlinking required.