Resolving ColorPicker Issues in Background macOS Apps with SwiftUI

Описание: Learn how to fix the `ColorPicker` function in macOS menubar applications using SwiftUI by ensuring it displays the standard macOS color panel.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/74557192/ asked by the user 'Bryan' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/463439/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/74557292/ provided by the user 'Bryan' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/463439/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Resolving ColorPicker Issues in Background macOS Apps with SwiftUI

Creating applications that run solely from the macOS menubar can be a unique endeavor, especially when working with SwiftUI elements. One common issue developers encounter is the malfunction of the ColorPicker when incorporated in a menubar app. In this post, we’ll explore this problem and provide a straightforward solution to ensure your macOS color picker operates seamlessly in the background.

Understanding the Context

When developing a macOS application that is intended to run exclusively from the menubar, developers typically set the LSUIElement property in the info.plist file to YES. This ensures the app runs as a background process without a regular dock icon, relying instead on popovers to present user interfaces. Below is an example of a simple SwiftUI view using a ColorPicker:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Problem

The typical issue arises when you attempt to click on the ColorPicker() in the popover. What should happen is that the standard macOS color picker window should open, allowing users to choose a color. However, when the application runs in the background:

The color-picker button reflects a selected state (highlighting).

The expected macOS color picker window fails to appear.

Curiously, if you modify the LSUIElement setting to NO and activate the application from the Dock, the ColorPicker works as anticipated. Clearly, the system only allows the color picker to function correctly when the application is in the foreground.

The Solution

The solution to this issue is simpler than you may expect. By implementing a delegate method in your PopoverController, you can easily activate the application to ensure that the color picker shows up as intended. Here’s how to do it:

Step-by-step Implementation

Extend the Popover Controller

Ensure your popover controller conforms to NSPopoverDelegate.

Implement the Delegate Method

Use the popoverWillShow notification to activate the application when the popover is about to display:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation

NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true): This line effectively brings your app to the front of all applications, making it the active app and allowing system-level components like the color picker to function properly.

Conclusion

By following these straightforward steps, your ColorPicker should now correctly open the standard macOS color panel, regardless of whether your app is running as a background process. This solution not only resolves the immediate issue but also enhances the user experience by providing them with the full suite of functionalities expected from macOS applications.

If you’re developing macOS applications using SwiftUI and haven’t yet encountered this issue, it’s beneficial to implement this fix proactively. Happy coding!