Mac App Installation and Management

Updated October 25, 2023 22:40

Sucy Vero

OVERVIEW

The SnapComms Mac App is a software program that is installed locally on users' Mac computers and is responsible for initiating regular communications with the SnapComms servers, primarily for the purpose of downloading and managing the display of content and information onto the users’ computer screens.

Note: SnapComms recommends using the latest Mac App versions released as these will include the latest features, enhancements and resolved issues from the subsequent App releases.

There are two types of SnapComms Mac Apps. Before downloading a Mac App, please ensure you have checked with your IT team which login method is preferable:

Active Directory Authentication Mac App: The authentication works in a similar way to our Windows App. Custom-built for your organization.
Note: Only the authentication will be similar to the Windows App. The AD Authenticated Mac App will not have the functionality to retrieve AD attributes
SnapComms Authentication Mac App: Works in a similar way to Mobile Apps.
- You can use the standard SnapComms Authentication method or configure your SAML identity provider details for a familiar Single Sign On method.

This article describes how to:

Download the Mac App
Install the Mac App
Update the Mac App
Uninstall the Mac App

Download the Mac App

Active Directory Authentication Mac App

Ensure you log on to your Mac computer with your Active Directory login prior to installing the software. Once installed, the software will launch automatically. You should not be prompted to login, as it will use the Active Directory login details you used to log onto your Mac computer.

If you install under a different user, the Mac may not allow the software to run under another username. If you need to reinstall, reset the Mac client first before you uninstall. Once uninstalled, login to your Mac computer using your Active Directory login, then re-install the Mac App.

Note: Once download of the Mac App with Active Directory authentication has been selected, provisioning will occur in the background.
An email will be sent to the administrator once the provisioning has been completed, which will include a download link to finalize the installation.

SnapComms Authentication Mac App

Note:

Mac App version 21.7.22573 includes support for SAML SSO authentication and Auto-Updating.
Mac App version 21.8.24671 includes MDM (Mac Device Management) support.

If your Single Sign On identity provider has been configured and enabled in the content manager, then when downloading the SnapComms Authentication Client, you will be directed to the login page of the configured Single Sign On provider.
Once you enter the login details, you will be directed to the Feed View within the SnapComms App.

If you select not to use the SAML authentication, the standard SnapComms Authentication registration process is considered.
This process is similar to the manual Mobile registration process.
Upon confirmation of the Organization App Code and email address, a security token is provided.

The entry of the correct security token is required to complete the employee registration.

Install the Mac App

Once you have downloaded your Mac App, extract the zip file to a location where you would like to keep the file for future use. The zip file contains a file called SnapClient.pkg for installing, and a file called Uninstall for uninstalling the client.

Installation file size (zipped): 6.83 MB
Installation file size (extracted): 7.04 MB
Installed program size: 29.6 MB

Note: Please do not delete the installation files, as you will require the Uninstall file when you wish to remove the Mac App. It is not recommended to use the OS X uninstaller for our App, as it will not remove all of the Mac App software.

If you are installing an Active Directory Mac client, please log into your Mac computer with your Active Directory username before installing.
Double click on SnapClient.pkg to start the installation.

The following prompt should appear. Click the Continue button.

The following screen is presented. Click the Continue button.

You will be asked to choose a destination to store the file. Keep the default and click Continue.

Click Install.

You will be asked for your computer password as a security precaution. Enter in your password and click Install Software.

The software will be installed on your computer.

Once completed, you will be advised the installation was successful. Click Close to complete the installation process.

You should now see the SnapComms icon in your Mac Notification Tray at the top of your screen (near the clock)

If you do not see the SnapComms icon in your notification tray, you may need to start the application by navigating to Go >> Applications, then double clicking on the SnapComms application.

The SnapComms Authentication App registration process is similar to the Mobile registration process.
Below are the screens that you will see.

Note: Once the employee has logged in successfully, they will not be required to login again unless you reset your SnapComms Mac client.

Update the Mac App

From the SnapComms Mac App version 21.7.22573, you can schedule automatic Mac App updates from the Content Manager. This feature is available to Content Manager administrators who have been granted permission to the App Updates in their Management Access.

Select the Mac App Tab, Click the Schedule an Update button and from the next page, select the target group who will receive the App update. Set the date and time when the update will be pushed and click Publish. The SnapComms Mac App will be updated at the specified date and time for the target group.

Note:

Any targeted users on a Mac App version (below version 21.7.22573) that doesn't support auto-updating will not see any change.
An additional step may be required: to finalize the update Users will receive a prompt on their machine. Users must select Install Update to proceed with the update. Ticking Automatically download and install updates in the future will allow future updates to be made without interruptions for the Users..