Homecorder Helper

A free, optional add-on for Homecorder. It does the few things macOS doesn't allow apps from the App Store to do, and shares the results with Homecorder on your Mac.

What it adds

• HomeKit and AirPlay devices. macOS hides them from apps in the App Sandbox. The helper only listens for them: nothing is paired, changed or sent anywhere.
• Hardware addresses of devices on your network, so Homecorder can tell devices apart and name their makers.
• Packet headers around problems. The helper counts lost packets and unanswered lookups in your Mac's own traffic. When Homecorder reports a problem, the headers from 10 minutes either side are saved on your Mac. Never the contents of your traffic.
• Why the router dropped your Mac, from macOS's own Wi-Fi logs, shown next to disconnects.

Homecorder works fully without it. Each feature above shows where it would appear, with a link here.

Install

1. Open the downloaded file and drag Homecorder Helper to Applications.
2. Open Homecorder Helper. When macOS asks, allow it to find devices on your local network.
3. Optional: under Background service, click Turn On, then switch it on in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. The hardware addresses and packet headers need it, because they need administrator access. The background service answers only the helper.
4. Optional: turn on Open at login, so devices keep being found.

Remove

1. In Homecorder Helper, turn off the background service, then click Quit Helper.
2. Drag Homecorder Helper from Applications to the Trash.

Check the download

The helper is signed with Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so macOS checks it when you open it. To compare the file with the checksum above, run this in Terminal:

shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/Homecorder-Helper.dmg

Questions? See Support. What the helper records stays on your Mac; see Privacy.