[Solved] Security Update 2020-005 breaks swift-based screensavers

iScreensaver

It appears that Security Update 2020-005 is causing trouble with Screen Savers which are built using the Swift Runtime, which includes screensavers built with iScreensaver, as well as others.

Symptoms: after updating to Security Update 2020-005 on macOS 10.14 Mojave:

• Swift-built screensavers no longer funcion
• You will get a blank screen when the screensaver activates the first time.
• After the first time, the screensaver will revert to the default macOS screensaver
• Attempts to view the screensaver in System Preferences / Desktop & Screen Saver will give a blank page
• Crash logs indicate that the com.apple.preference.desktopscreeneffect.screeneffects.remoteservice process is crashing

We are investigating the issue and hope to have more soon.

In the mean time, if you are using any swift-based screensavers on macOS and want to run the 2020-005 Security Update, we recommend you temporarily switch back to one of the default macOS screensavers until this issue is resolved.

Alternatively, you could delay installing Security Update 2020-005, but it's generally not a good idea to skip security updates like this.

iScreensaver

Related Links:

• https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/662003
• https://github.com/JohnCoates/Aerial/issues/1107
• https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251846939

iScreensaver

Updated Info:

• This problem seems to only happen on 10.14 Mojave
• The order in which you install Safari 14 and Security Update 2020-005 matters - if you installed Safari 14 first, then you will have the issue.
• The only workaround at the present time is to reinstall macOS 10.14.6 Mojave
• We are hoping that Apple will release an improved Security Update which fixes these issues.
• see https://mrmacintosh.com/mojave-2020-005-security-update-causing-major-problems-updated/

iScreensaver

Update: Apple has released 10.14.6 Supplemental Update which appears to resolve the issues: 10.14.6 Supplemental Update (Safari 14) Released to Fix Previous Issues

After installing this, you will need to open the Desktop & Screen Savers control panel and re-select the screensaver you wish to use.