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Installing SMOWL CM on MAC

Install SMOWL CM on MAC

Marco Mendoza avatar
Written by Marco Mendoza
Updated over a week ago

Before using SMOWL CM, verify that your computer has the necessary requirements.

Technical requirements

  • Operating system: MacOS 10.10+ or ​​higher

  • RAM: 2 Gb (4 Gb recommended)

  • Hard disk space: 250 Mb

SMOWL CM is not supported for Safari since SMOWL CM 4.0.0, we recommend our users use Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox during their activities.

Before the installation

You will find the download link for SMOWL CM within your platform, in the course you are taking.

Depending on your platform, this location may vary. If in doubt, consult your teaching staff; they will inform you where you can find it.

You can check within your course for your SMOWL tool. Below are some of the most common ways to find SMOWL CM.

In MOODLE or OpenLMS, it is most common to find a block similar to this within your course. If you do not find it, contact your institution.

In Blackboard, Canvas, or D2L, it is common to find a download button within the SMOWL tool. If you do not find it, contact your institution.

Installation process

After downloading the installer of the SMOWL CM application, it will be necessary to run it by double-clicking on the file in the folder where you have saved it.

If you can't find it in your browser, you may check the "Downloads" folder or where you saved it.

Once you double-click on the downloaded file, a window will open. You should drag the SMOWLCM logo to the "Applications/Applications" folder, located on the right.


The version number may vary.

To exit the installer, you will need to go to the "Locations" section within the "Downloads" folder and click on the up arrow icon on the right side of "SMOWL CM".

Installation verification

You can check that SMOWLCM is installed by heading to the "Applications" folder.

Next, you should verify that the installation has been completed successfully by double-clicking on the SMOWLCM icon.

A pop-up window will appear, informing you that SMOWLCM is an app downloaded from the internet. To proceed, you must click on the "Open" button.

Common installation errors on MAC

If the SMOWL CM verification step displays a message that the developer cannot be verified, follow the steps below.

SMOWLCM is not malicious software, Apple simply catalogs by default programs that are not downloaded from the App Store in this way.

SMOWL CM has the necessary permissions and certificates for development and use in macOS operating systems, however, it is common for you to find alerts like the one shown below. This alert does not give the option to open SMOWL CM and therefore complete the installation.

In order to open SMOWL CM you must access your applications folder and search for the SMOWL CM application.

To open SMOWL CM, select with the right mouse or touchpad button and select the Open option. An alert message similar to the previous one will appear on the screen. In this message the option to Open SMOWL CM.

Once you press the button, a window from the tool will appear indicating that the installation has been completed. You should close that window to proceed with carrying out the activity.

The SMOWL CM system will run automatically when you start the activity to be monitored within your virtual campus and will only record your activity at that moment. Remember that everything that happens on your computer from the beginning to the end of the activity will be notified to the institution

Monitoring permissions for macOS

In order to obtain good computer monitoring during your tests, you must review and grant SMOWL CM the necessary permissions to run correctly. To do this you must access your computer's settings.

You can find it in the bottom bar of the screen, or by clicking on the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen.

Within "System Settings" you should look for "Privacy & Security".

Next, in "Privacy & Security" you should look for "Security."

Select the option "App Store and identified developers".

Then, you should click on "Open Anyway".

If necessary, you'll need to enter the username and password that you use to log in to your computer, and finally, click on the "Unlock" button.

Then, within "Privacy & Security" you should look for the section "Screen & System Audio Recording" and activate the option next to the SMOWLCM logo.

If you don't see the option for "Screen & System Audio Recording" enter the monitored activity. SMOWLCM will request screen recording permissions, and the option will then appear within "Privacy & Security"

Within "Privacy & Security" you should look for the "Accessibility" section and check the box next to the SMOWLCM logo.

Once you have completed this configuration, you can close "Privacy & Security" and try to open the SMOWL CM application by double-clicking on its icon, which you can find within the "Applications" folder.

Test evaluation

To confirm the correct functioning of the SMOWL CM application, ask your company, academic institution, university, or platform if a test exam has been enabled. We recommend taking this test exam before your actual exam or activity to ensure that the system has been installed and working correctly.

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