Is there a documentation for Network Extensions UX controls in macOS Sequoia?

In macOS Sequoia, there are up to 3 locations where an end user can enable or disable a Network Extension.

In order of appearance in the System Settings.app application:

  • Network > Filters
  • General > Login Items & Extensions (1)
  • General > Login Items & Extensions > Network Extensions

a) it's quite difficult for an end user (and even a developer) to understand why there are 3 different locations and whether we are dealing with the same unique item or not. e.g. why would an end user have a clue about the difference between a Network Extension and a (Packet | Content) Filter?

b) it's not possible for an end user to figure out what the consequences of disabling an item in one of these 3 locations is going to be, because, in each case, the consequences appear to be different, undocumented or not detailed clearly in the UI. (2)

[Q] Is there a clear, complete and detailed documentation for Network Extensions UX controls in macOS Sequoia? For either end users or developers?

I could't find one when searching inside www.apple.com or developer.apple.com.

(1) not sure why a Network Extension also appears here as it's not a launchd daemon controlled by a 3rd party launchd plist. And not sure to understand why it's there since there's now the Network Extensions panel.

(2) it does not help that the output of the systemextensionsctl command line tool, in most cases, reports that the extension is still activated and enabled.

Answered by DTS Engineer in 805061022

There’s certainly nothing that meets your requirements in the developer documentation. And, honestly, I’m sure there should be. As you note, these are all user-level issues.

My experience is that this level of documentation is usually found in the ‘deployment guide’, now known as Apple Platform Deployment. I’m not particularly familiar with the contents of that doc, so it’s possible that it already has something relevant. If not, you could reasonable file an enhancement request against it.

If you do, please post your bug number, just for the record.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

There’s certainly nothing that meets your requirements in the developer documentation. And, honestly, I’m sure there should be. As you note, these are all user-level issues.

My experience is that this level of documentation is usually found in the ‘deployment guide’, now known as Apple Platform Deployment. I’m not particularly familiar with the contents of that doc, so it’s possible that it already has something relevant. If not, you could reasonable file an enhancement request against it.

If you do, please post your bug number, just for the record.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

thx for tips

Is there a documentation for Network Extensions UX controls in macOS Sequoia?
 
 
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