Game Manager troubleshooting for Mac

If you are seeing any of the included errors, these steps in order should almost always resolve the issue, so follow along closely.

Errors for macOS 11 and Higher Users:

• Unable to install games or the Game Manager
• Error 1401
• Cannot verify Developer (macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware)
• Error Has Occurred
• Game doesn't appear in the Recent section or games crashing

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Fixing "Install Permission Denied" or "Error 1401"

1. Remove Game Manager

• To uninstall the Big Fish Games app, move the app to the trash can on your desktop, then empty the trash can to delete the files.

1. Reinstall the Game Manager

   • Reinstall the Game Manager by downloading any game from the Big Fish site (since the Game Manager is now included in the game installation process). Or follow the link below:
   • Download Game Manager
   • After the download completes, drag the GameManager.app to the /Applications folder.
   • Right-click (Control + left-click) on the icon and select Open. You may be prompted about an update; if you’re using the latest version, just click OK.

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"Cannot Verify Developer" Error

If you encounter the “Cannot verify Developer” message when trying to launch the Game Manager, follow these steps to bypass it:

1. Control-click the Game Manager icon in Finder.
2. Click Open in the context menu.
3. You might be prompted to enter your Administrator password.
4. A warning will appear—click Open again.

The application should now run.

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Error Has Occurred (or Grey Window)

If you're seeing an Error Has Occurred message or a grey window when trying to launch the Game Manager, you might be missing a couple of files. Here’s how to manually fix this:

1. Download the Missing Files

   • Download the files bf_db.db and bf_persistent.db from the support article (links should be attached).

2. Replace Missing Files

   • Go to Downloads and locate the GameManager.app file.
   • Drag it to the /Applications folder if it’s not there already.
   • Right-click on GameManager.app and select Show Package Contents.
   • In the window that opens, go to Contents > Resources.
   • Drag and drop the bf_db.db and bf_persistent.db files into the Resources folder.

3. Try Opening the Game Manager Again.

If the issue persists, proceed with the following steps.

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Reinstalling the Game Manager

1. Remove Game Manager Files

2. Delete Leftover Files

   • Navigate to /Users/Shared/BigFishGamesCache and delete the folder (if it exists).

3. Reinstall the Game Manager

   • After deleting the cache, go back to the Big Fish Games website and install a game from your Purchase History. This should automatically install both the game and the Game Manager.

4. Check Game Files

   • After reinstalling, ensure the missing files (bf_db.db and bf_persistent.db) are in place by following the steps in the Error Has Occurred section.

5. Try Opening the Game Manager Again.

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Games Not Appearing in the Recent Section / Crashing

If your game works in trial mode but crashes or doesn’t appear in the Recent section after purchase, it may be a compatibility issue. Here's how to try and resolve it:

1. Open the Game Directly

   • Go to Applications and find the game you want to play.
   • Right-click (Control + left-click) on the game’s icon and choose Show Package Contents.
   • Go to Contents > Resources.

2. Show Hidden Files

   • Press Command + Shift + . (period) to reveal hidden files.

3. Launch the Game

   • Double-click the greyed-out icon that appears for the game.

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Final Notes:

• Compatibility with macOS 11 and Higher: Ensure you're using the 64-bit version of the Game Manager, as 32-bit apps are no longer supported on macOS 11 (Big Sur) and higher.
• If you continue to experience issues, please contact support for further assistance.

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