Understanding Framework Bundles

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 101 views

Resolving ITMS-90291 and ITMS-90292 Errors in macOS App Submission

Introduction

When integrating third-party libraries into your macOS application, it's not uncommon to encounter issues during the submission process. In this article, we'll focus on resolving the ITMS-90291 and ITMS-90292 errors, which are related to malformed framework bundles. These errors can be frustrating, but with the right guidance, you can overcome them and successfully submit your app to the App Store.

Understanding Framework Bundles

Before we dive into the solutions, let's take a brief look at framework bundles. A framework bundle is a type of bundle that contains a collection of libraries, resources, and other files that can be used by an application. Framework bundles are typically used to distribute reusable code and resources, making it easier to share and manage dependencies between applications.

When creating a framework bundle, it's essential to follow the correct directory structure and symbolic link conventions. This ensures that the framework bundle is properly formatted and can be used by the application without any issues.

ITMS-90291: Malformed Framework - The framework bundle Libsmbclient (Contents/Frameworks/Libsmbclient.framework) must contain a symbolic link 'Libsmbclient' -> 'Versions/Current/Libsmbclient'.

The first error, ITMS-90291, indicates that the framework bundle Libsmbclient is missing a symbolic link 'Libsmbclient' -> 'Versions/Current/Libsmbclient'. This symbolic link is crucial, as it allows the application to access the latest version of the framework.

To resolve this error, you need to create a symbolic link with the following command:

ln -s Versions/Current/Libsmbclient Libsmbclient

This command creates a symbolic link 'Libsmbclient' that points to the 'Versions/Current/Libsmbclient' directory.

ITMS-90291: Malformed Framework - The framework bundle Libsmbclient (/Contents/Frameworks/Libsmbclient.framework) must contain a symbolic link 'Resources' -> 'Versions/Current/Resources'.

The second error, ITMS-90291, indicates that the framework bundle Libsmbclient is missing a symbolic link 'Resources' -> 'Versions/Current/Resources'. This symbolic link is also essential, as it allows the application to access the resources associated with the framework.

To resolve this error, you need to create a symbolic link with the following command:

ln -s Versions/Current/Resources Resources

This command creates a symbolic link 'Resources' that points to the 'Versions/Current/Resources' directory.

ITMS-90292: Malformed Framework - The framework bundle Libsmbclient (Contents/Frameworks/Libsmbclient.framework) 'Versions' directory must contain a symbolic link 'Current' resolving to a specific version directory.

The third error, ITMS-90292, indicates that the framework bundle Libsmbclient is missing a symbolic link 'Current' in the 'Versions' directory. This symbolic link is necessary, as it allows the application to access the latest version of the framework.

To resolve this error, you need to create a symbolic link with the following command:

ln -s ${linkTarget} Current

This command creates a symbolic link 'Current' that points to a specific version directory, which is specified by the ${linkTarget} variable.

Conclusion

In this article, we've provided step-by-step instructions on how to resolve these errors. By following these instructions, you can successfully submit your app to the App Store and make it available to your users.

Additional Resources

Resolving ITMS-90046 Error in macOS App Submission
Optimizing Your macOS App for Performance
Best Practices for Creating a macOS App
Frequently Asked Questions: Resolving ITMS-90291 and ITMS-90292 Errors in macOS App Submission

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the ITMS-90291 and ITMS-90292 errors, which are related to malformed framework bundles. These errors can be frustrating, but with the right guidance, you can overcome them and successfully submit your app to the App Store. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions related to resolving these errors.

Q: What is a framework bundle, and why is it important?

A: A framework bundle is a type of bundle that contains a collection of libraries, resources, and other files that can be used by an application. It's essential to follow the correct directory structure and symbolic link conventions to ensure that the framework bundle is properly formatted and can be used by the application without any issues.

Q: What is a symbolic link, and how is it used in framework bundles?

A: A symbolic link is a type of link that points to a specific file or directory. In framework bundles, symbolic links are used to create a hierarchical directory structure and to allow the application to access the latest version of the framework.

Q: How do I create a symbolic link in a framework bundle?

A: To create a symbolic link in a framework bundle, you can use the ln command in the terminal. For example, to create a symbolic link 'Libsmbclient' that points to the 'Versions/Current/Libsmbclient' directory, you can use the following command:

ln -s Versions/Current/Libsmbclient Libsmbclient

Q: What is the purpose of the 'Versions' directory in a framework bundle?

A: The 'Versions' directory in a framework bundle is used to store different versions of the framework. The 'Current' symbolic link in the 'Versions' directory points to the latest version of the framework.

Q: How do I resolve the ITMS-90291 error, which indicates that the framework bundle is missing a symbolic link 'Libsmbclient' -> 'Versions/Current/Libsmbclient'?

A: To resolve the ITMS-90291 error, you need to create a symbolic link with the following command:

ln -s Versions/Current/Libsmbclient Libsmbclient

Q: How do I resolve the ITMS-90292 error, which indicates that the framework bundle is missing a symbolic link 'Current' in the 'Versions' directory?

A: To resolve the ITMS-90292 error, you need to create a symbolic link with the following command:

ln -s ${linkTarget} Current

Q: What are some best practices for creating a framework bundle?

A: Some best practices for creating a framework bundle include:

Following the correct directory structure and symbolic link conventions
Using the ln command to create symbolic links
Storing different versions of the framework in the 'Versions' directory
Using the 'Current' symbolic link to point to the latest version of the framework

Q: Where can I find more information on framework bundles and symbolic links?

A: You can find more information on framework bundles and symbolic links in the following resources:

Conclusion

Resolving ITMS-90291 and ITMS-90292 errors requires a good understanding of framework bundles and symbolic links. By following the correct directory structure and creating the necessary symbolic links, you can ensure that your framework bundle is properly formatted and can be used by your application without any issues. We hope this article has provided you with the information and guidance you need to resolve these errors and successfully submit your app to the App Store.