In this guide, we will show you the steps to fix the “ServiceExtension differs from previously opened versions” error on your Mac. Numerous users are reportedly getting this error message over the past few days. A major subset among those have voiced their concern that this started happening right after they had uninstalled WhatsApp that had been installed outside of the App Store and then were trying to install it from the App Store. So is WhatsApp the culprit?
Well, not exactly. macOS will show this error message every time you open a different version of an app that was signed with a different certificate. In this case, it could be caused by the fact that WhatsApp on the App Store is signed with a different certificate than the standalone version. The complete error message spells out as follows:
“ServiceExtension” differs from previously opened versions. Are you sure you want to open it?
Opening “ServiceExtension” will allow it to access data from previously used versions of “ServiceExtension”
However, the same issue could be replicated across by app, as and when they checkmark that requirement. With that said, there does exist a nifty workaround that might help you rectify this issue. So without further ado, let’s check it out.
Fix Mac “ServiceExtension differs from previously opened versions”
When you get the pop-up, you’ll be greeted with two options- Don’t Open and Open Anyway. If the app in question has been downloaded from the App Store, then you could easily hit the Open Anyway option. On the other hand, if the app has been downloaded from a third-party site, then first off verify the trustworthiness of the site as well as the app. If both of them are secure, then only proceed ahead to launch it. Or else, look for its alternative in the App Store.
On that note, we round off this guide on the “ServiceExtension differs from previously opened versions” error on your Mac. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
