I have migrated my 2017 MacBook info to a new MacBook running Sequoia 15.1.1
My brave icon is greyed out and I get a message “You can’t open the application because this application is not supported on this Mac”. How do I fix this so i can get the browser back . My Brave version is up to date.
Is there an uncomplicated fix for this, I am not very tech savvy.
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ON YOUR OLD 2017 MacBook
How to Back Up Passwords that are stored by Brave Browser
Scrolling down the webpage at:
https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018185951-How-do-I-use-the-built-in-password-manager
A note states:
“Export Passwords - Selecting Download file will export all credentials you’ve saved in your browser as a
.CSVfile onto your system. Note that anyone who has access to your system will be able to open and view this file, so it is recommended that you delete this file once you’ve used the file for its intended purpose.”
In order to encrypt that .CSV file:
https://www.crucial.com/articles/pc-users/how-to-password-protect-a-folder
https://nordvpn.com/blog/how-to-password-protect-a-zip-file/
https://www.winzip.com/en/features/security/password-protection/
And be sure to copy that compressed and encrypted file, to an external drive that you safely store.
How to manually back up your Bookmarks as an HTML file
Two ways to get to the Bookmarks Manager.
One way:
- Launch Brave and open the Main menu:
- Select
Bookmarks --> Bookmarks Manage - Open the More options menu at the top right
- Select
Exportand choose where you want to store the exported file.
Another way:
- In a new Brave Browser window, go to:
brave://bookmarks - Locate the “Organize” (vertically-arrayed 3-dot) menu button in the upper-right area of the window; click on that
- You should get a pop-up menu, in which you click on the “Export bookmarks” selection and choose where you want to store the exported file.
The exported file name: “bookmarks.html”
Be sure to store a copy on an external drive.
On your older, 2027 MacBook, locate the “BraveSoftware” folder:
/Users/your_user_shortname/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/
Back up that folder. You might .zip compress that folder. Either way, or both ways, be sure to place the backup somewhere that is NOT within the BraveSoftware folder and its subfolders. Good place, is an external drive. Give your backups a name that includes some details relating to that old MacBook; example:
20241124-hhhh_Sunday_2017_McBk_BrvBrsFldrBkup.zip
On your new MacBook, back up its “BraveSoftware” folder, and give it a name, using same guidance:
20241124-hhhh_Sunday_NEW_McBk_BrvBrsFldrBkup.zip
hhhh - 24-hour clock (2106, for example, re 9:06 PM)
Where Brave Browser is installed:
/Applications/Brave Browser.app
/Users/username/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/Caches/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/Caches/com.brave.Browser
/Users/username/Library/Preferences/com.brave.Browser.plistAnd the “Brave Browser Helper . . . .diag” crash reports within:
/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/
Now, you have 2 options regarding the next steps, because an unknown is, should you:
-
for now, keep the existing “BraveSoftware” folder that exists on the new MacBook -OR-
-
delete that existing “BraveSoftware” folder on the new MacBook, and, after a fresh installation on the new MacBook, import the saved bookmarks and saved passwords?
If your choice, plus the following fresh installation of Brave Browser . . . does not work . . . then try the alternative choice.
Make sure that your new MacBook clock is set to the correct time.
Make sure that the default Internet browser on your new MacBook, is Safari.
Restart your new MacBook.
Use the Safari Internet browser of your new MacBook, and go to:
and install Brave Browser.
Thank you so much, I’ll try all of this later
hi ,so much for “uncomplicated”, did you have any luck?i have had the same problem and been trying to sort it out for ages…i always get the same advice and like you am not very tech savvy.rEGARDS bRAD
Hi is there anyone can help me with this please? i have same problem but i do not have access to the old macbook that the new one was set up from. i am not very good with tech. The Brave browser and most importantly all my old bookmarks,passwords and wallets worked fine on the newly set up Macbook(set up from old hardrive) until i updated…then i get the ghosted brave symbol and error message. i have tried all the advice for 12 months to the best of my ability with no luck please help.Regards
@Boeny ,
On your MacBook, click the Apple icon at the very upper-left corner of the computer’s display, and select “About this Mac”
DO NOT provide a screenshot of the resulting window. Instead, report
-
the Mac model info, such as “MacBook Pro”, line of info
-
the MacOS version number(s)
Thank you so much for your reply.
MacBook Air 2022
Apple M2
macOS Ventura 13.3.1
Meaning, a MacOS (probably a security?) update or a Brave Browser update?
On your Mac, given a Brave Browser installation, the important “BraveSoftware” folder is located (see it, in the path):
/Users/username/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/
Please find that folder and back up that folder.
I routinely .zip compress that folder and place the backup (I use a chronological name: “20250106_BraveSoftware_BKUP.zip”) . . . in a safe location - including a copy on an external drive. Thus, when some problem with Brave Browser arises, I can replace the current “BraveSoftware” folder with what we call, A Known Good One.
I’m sorry I can’t remember it just had a notification, top right of screen ,saying update now…… after that is when brave symbol when ghosted and says “ brave can not open……” can give you exact message when home I am just driving to pick up my wife.
Thanks again for your help it is greatly appreciated
OK. Be safe. No rush.
Adding a note, here, about using the Notification Center on a Mac running MacOS Ventura:
The message i get when trying to open Brave is…
You can’t open the application"Brave Browser"because this application is not supported on this Mac.
A lot to learn, but please do not get anxious about it.
Make sure that your MacBook clock is set to the correct time.
Make sure that the default Internet browser on your MacBook, is Safari.
Please study the following; be patient; do not worry.
Locate the “BraveSoftware” folder:
/Users/your_user_shortname/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/
Back up that folder. You might also .zip compress that folder.
Be sure to place the backup(s) somewhere that is NOT within the BraveSoftware folder and its subfolders* installation paths.
Good place, is an external drive.
Where Brave Browser is installed:
/Applications/Brave Browser.app
/Users/username/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/Caches/BraveSoftware
/Users/username/Library/Caches/com.brave.Browser
/Users/username/Library/Preferences/com.brave.Browser.plistAnd the “Brave Browser Helper . . . .diag” crash reports within:
/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/
You might not find:
/Users/username/Library/BraveSoftware
. . . do not worry.
That information is a guide, in case you decide to completely remove the Brave Browser installation.
I think that you do need to completely remove the Brave Browser installation. (AFTER, you back up the aforementioned BraveSoftware folder to a safe location.)
The backup(s) of the BraveSoftware folder, will contain within them, within your default Brave Browser profile sub-folder, the “Bookmarks” and “Bookmarks.bak” files.
When you install Brave Browser, your default Brave Browser Profile is within the “Default” folder:
/Users/username/Library/Application Support/BraveSoftware/Brave-Browser/Default/
After you remove the Brave Browser installation, Restart your Mac.
Use the Safari Internet browser of your new MacBook, and go to:
Download the installer (probably named: “Brave-Browser.dmg”) - place it in your Downloads folder:
/Users/username/Downloads/
Install Brave Browser.
Let me know how that goes. The idea, here, is to get Brave Browser running. And, get you familiar with getting it running.
Do not concern yourself immediately with restoring the Bookmarks.
It sounds like the version of Brave you’re using might not be fully compatible with Sequoia 15.1.1. A simple fix would be to try reinstalling Brave: just delete the app, then download and install the latest version from Brave’s website. This should ensure compatibility with your new Mac.
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