GUI settings

The settings screen lets you manage Apple accounts, configure auto-start behavior, and control signing options. Access settings by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner of the main window.

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Apple account management

Manage the Apple accounts used for signing applications.

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Add an account

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Select an account

The currently selected account is used for all signing operations:

1. Find the account in the list (marked with [✓] when selected)
2. Click the account button to select it
3. The selected account is highlighted and shows as active

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Switch teams

If your Apple account belongs to multiple development teams:

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Remove an account

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Export certificate (P12)

Export your account’s signing certificate as a P12 file:

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Auto-start configuration

Control whether Impactor launches automatically when you log in to your computer.

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Enable auto-start

1. Find the Launch on Startup checkbox in the settings screen
2. Check the box to enable auto-start
3. The setting is saved immediately

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Platform-specific behavior

macOS:

• Registers with Launch Services
• Starts when you log in
• Can start in system tray depending on configuration

Linux:

• Creates an autostart desktop entry
• Follows XDG autostart specification
• Respects system session settings

Windows:

• Adds a registry entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• Launches on user login

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Account list display

The account list shows all configured accounts with: For all accounts:

• Email address
• Clickable button to select

For selected account (in addition):

• [✓] marker indicating active selection
• Highlighted appearance (primary button style)
• Team selector dropdown
• Management buttons (Remove Account, Export P12)

Empty state:

• Displays “No accounts added yet” when no accounts are configured
• Only the Add Account button is available

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Settings screen navigation

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Accessing settings

Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner from:

• Main screen
• Utilities screen
• Installer screen (preserves installer state)

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Returning from settings

Click the back arrow (←) to return to the previous screen:

• Returns to where you came from
• Preserves navigation history
• Auto-refreshes utilities if returning there

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Account storage and synchronization

Accounts are stored in accounts.json in the application data directory: Location by platform:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Impactor/accounts.json
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Impactor/accounts.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Impactor\accounts.json

What’s stored:

• Apple ID email
• Authentication tokens
• Signing certificates
• Selected team IDs
• Refresh device associations

Synchronization:

• Changes save immediately to disk
• Account store reloads after login window closes
• Settings screen refreshes on account changes

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Login window

The login window appears when:

• You click Add Account
• Installation requires authentication (Pem mode without logged-in account)

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Login flow

1. Email and password entry
   • Enter Apple ID credentials
   • Click Login or press Enter
2. Two-factor authentication (if enabled)
   • Automatically transitions to 2FA screen
   • Enter 6-digit code from trusted device
   • Click Verify
3. Completion
   • Window closes on success
   • Account appears in settings
   • Pending installation proceeds (if triggered from installer)

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Login cancellation

• Click Cancel to abort login
• Window closes without saving
• Pending installation is cancelled
• Returns to previous screen

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Troubleshooting

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Login fails with incorrect password

Solutions:

1. Verify your Apple ID and password
2. Try logging in to appleid.apple.com to confirm credentials
3. Reset your password if needed
4. Try again in Impactor

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Two-factor code not received

Solutions:

1. Wait a few moments for the code to arrive
2. Request a new code by clicking the login button again
3. Ensure trusted devices are connected to the internet
4. Check SMS if using phone number for 2FA

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Export P12 fails

Possible causes:

• Account not fully authenticated
• Certificate not yet fetched
• File save location denied

Solutions:

1. Ensure account is selected and authenticated
2. Try removing and re-adding the account
3. Choose a different save location with write permissions

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Auto-start not working

Platform-specific checks: macOS:

• Check System Preferences → Users & Groups → Login Items
• Verify Impactor appears in the list

Linux:

• Check ~/.config/autostart/ for the desktop entry
• Verify file permissions are correct

Windows:

• Open regedit and check HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• Verify Impactor entry exists

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Account list not updating

1. Close and reopen the settings screen
2. Restart the application
3. Check accounts.json exists in the data directory
4. Remove corrupted accounts.json and re-add accounts

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Team list empty or won’t load

Solutions:

1. Ensure account is authenticated
2. Check internet connection
3. Wait for loading to complete (can take several seconds)
4. Try removing and re-adding the account
5. Verify account has access to development teams

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Next steps