USBOverdrive not working in macOS Sequoia

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I can't seem to get USBOverdrive to work on my M4 Pro Mac mini, running 15.1.1 Sequoia. The app immediately tells me that it isn't working, and that I have to go to System Preferences, and activate it under Privacy & Security, but I never get a popup asking for permission. The USBOverdrive Helper does show up under "Keyboard surveillance" (Or whatever it is called in English), but that is apparently not enough.

Has anyone gotten it to work?

Their own support pages aren't updated for macOS 15, and they don't reply to my support emails.

 

[BrianBaughn]

The website states compatibility:

USB Overdrive – Take full advantage of any USB or Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, trackball, joystick or gamepad.

www.usboverdrive.com

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

The website states compatibility:

USB Overdrive – Take full advantage of any USB or Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, trackball, joystick or gamepad.

www.usboverdrive.com

I know that, but it still isn't working for me.

 

[jdmc]

Same here. I'm running Sequoia 15.2. I installed USB Overdrive normally, and it appears in Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring as enabled… but the Status tab in the app still shows that "the USB Overdrive System Extension is not active." Isn't this an anachronism, since USB Overdrive runs as an app now rather than a system extension? In any case, it's not seeing my keyboard or mouse. I have rebooted the Mac, and also unplugged and replugged the keyboard and mouse after bootup, to no effect.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Same here. I'm running Sequoia 15.2. I installed USB Overdrive normally, and it appears in Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring as enabled… but the Status tab in the app still shows that "the USB Overdrive System Extension is not active." Isn't this an anachronism, since USB Overdrive runs as an app now rather than a system extension? In any case, it's not seeing my keyboard or mouse. I have rebooted the Mac, and also unplugged and replugged the keyboard and mouse after bootup, to no effect.

I have never used USBOverdrive...but have you checked in Settings->Login Items & Extensions? Does it register there, and is it active?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Same here. I'm running Sequoia 15.2. I installed USB Overdrive normally, and it appears in Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring as enabled… but the Status tab in the app still shows that "the USB Overdrive System Extension is not active." Isn't this an anachronism, since USB Overdrive runs as an app now rather than a system extension? In any case, it's not seeing my keyboard or mouse. I have rebooted the Mac, and also unplugged and replugged the keyboard and mouse after bootup, to no effect.

I just think the description is lacking, as it likely refers to the USB Overdrive Helper deamon, which is installed in the background and can be enabled (Yet not working?).

 

[jdmc]

I have never used USBOverdrive...but have you checked in Settings->Login Items & Extensions? Does it register there, and is it active?

Yes, "USBOverdriveHelper" (Kind = Application) appears in the "Open at Login" list. USBOverdriveHelper also has Input Monitoring permission under Privacy & Security, as I mentioned before.

 

[xraydoc]

I'm using Smooze Pro as a mouse 'driver'. Works great and fully supports Sequoia 15.2.

 

[jdmc]

SOLUTION: I contacted the author of USB Overdrive and he explained how to solve this problem: Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Extensions > Driver Extensions (click the "I"), and then click the toggle to enable "USB Overdrive.app/OverdriveDriver". Admin authentication will be required.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

SOLUTION: I contacted the author of USB Overdrive and he explained how to solve this problem: Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Extensions > Driver Extensions (click the "I"), and then click the toggle to enable "USB Overdrive.app/OverdriveDriver". Admin authentication will be required.

Thank you! That worked like a charm. I wonder why the developer never replied to my support email, when he clearly had an answer. Or why he hasn’t updated the app to show this information.

And good lord is the new System Preferences a UX nightmare..