Update are broken on macos since 1.16.4b

[ArchitektApx]

Preliminary Checks

• [x] I have read and understood the important section above.
• [x] I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• [x] I am not filing an enhancement request.
• [x] I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.
• [x] I have checked that this issue can be reproduced once I removed all my Mods and Custom CSS.

What happened?

After trying to update to 1.16.4b and restarting Zen to apply the update a (new?) software update window appears.

clicking restart zen and allowing to install the requested helper causes Zen to restart with 1.16.3b once again.

Expected behavior

Zen should restart with v1.16.4b

Actual behavior

Zen can't update itself

Steps to reproduce

• Go to Settings and attempt to apply the 1.16.4b update and click Restart Zen
• When Zen Restarts, follow the instructions of the (new?) update dialogue to restart Zen
• Zen restarts again with 1.16.3b

Screenshots and videos

No response

Version

1.16.3b

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

macOS - aarch64

What component is this issue related to?

Other

Relevant log output if applicable

[colin6615]

This issue occured for me too. I backed up my profiles & distrubtions folder, removed the old zen browser from my Apps folder, then downloaded and installed the new zen dmg file. Then I had to transfer the distrubtions folder to the new zen app.

[dbj]

I am also experiencing this. I am on 1.16.4b and it will not update to 1.17b.

[colin6615]

Is 1.17b even out? I see 1.16.4b as the latest release build on desktop

-------- Original Message -------- On Tuesday, 10/21/25 at 10:41 Dirk Johnson @.***> wrote:

dbj left a comment (zen-browser/desktop#10746)

I am also experiencing this. I am on 1.16.4b and it will not update to 1.17b.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[dbj]

If I go to the release notes, I see:

[ArchitektApx]

This is still occurring on each update until now (1.17.3b).

The only way to get updates currently is via homebrew or manually downloading each new release

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/64bc6ca9-b5b3-4612-a297-af3e25474744

This also happens with a new empty profile...

[RexSaini]

For me, automatic updates are working fine.

[patillacode]

@ArchitektApx the problem is that via homebrew or manually downloading from the website the name of the app is Zen but currently for me is Zen Browser and I would lose all my folders, settings, etc...

PS: what is that homepage I see in your video with the time, weather and a quote? is that a mod?

[ArchitektApx]

@ArchitektApx PS: what is that homepage I see in your video with the time, weather and a quote? is that a mod?

It's the Bonjourrr extension and some css -> https://github.com/JustAdumbPrsn/Zen-Nebula#4-add-the-firefox-extension-bonjourrr

[ArchitektApx]

For me, automatic updates are working fine.

Unfortunately I got the same issue again trying to update to 1.17.5b

[ArchitektApx]

Still the same problem with 1.17.6b

[ArchitektApx]

I'm still not able to use zen browsers integrated update mechanism with 1.17.7 :(

It's the same loop as shown in https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/issues/10746#issuecomment-3447506777 before and only replacing the app file or doing updates via brew (as it replaces the app file) allow me to upate

[ArchitektApx]

Still with 1.17.8 :(

I'm kinda confused as it seems I'm the only one with that problem?

[ArchitektApx]

The Issue still persists up to 1.17.12

[ArchitektApx]

Once again unable to update to 1.17.13

For once there is finally a error message though:

Which is rather strange as I am admin :)