BBEdit, the popular and long-running HTML and text editor for Mac, was today updated to version 12.6. The new version of the software introduces important feature changes and bug fixes.

Starting with today's update, BBEdit is a sandboxed app, which is a change that Bare Bones Software needed to make because it plans to bring BBEdit to the Mac App Store in the future.

bbedit
Sandboxing on macOS limits apps to their intended use and is a protection implemented to prevent malicious software from working. BBEdit will require explicit permission to access files and folders on the Mac.

To work properly, though, BBEdit often requires advanced access to file and folder contents, a problem Bare Bones Software is solving with a prompt to enable Sandbox Access. This setting, says Bare Bones Software, will allow for the full functionality of BBEdit without compromising security.

Without unrestricted access to your files and folders, many of BBEdit's most useful features, from the basic to the most powerful, won't work at all; or they may misbehave in unexpected ways. At the very least, this hinders your ability to work done.

In order to resolve this fundamental conflict between security and usability, we have devised a solution in which BBEdit requests that you permit it the same sort of access to your files and folders that would be available to a non-sandboxed version.

For this reason, the first time you start BBEdit, it will prompt you to allow this access. The prompt will not be repeated; so if you decline to allow this access and later reconsider, go to the Application preferences, and click on the "Allow" button in the "Sandbox Access" section.

Due to the changes, BBEdit is no longer able to access support folder items in iCloud Drive, so those previously using ‌iCloud Drive‌/Application Support/BBEdit will need to make some manual changes as outlined in the update's release notes.

The new version of BBEdit also includes a number of tweaks to the app and a whole slew of bug fixes, all of which are also listed in the release notes.

Top Rated Comments

jecowa Avatar
83 months ago
Very happy to hear about this. I'm still using TextWrangler, but I'll switch to BBEdit in a heartbeat if it becomes available on the Mac App Store. Glad to see they're returning.
I'm using TextWrangler too. Why is it helpful for it to be on the Mac App Store? I only use that to download Mac OS X updates.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anzio Avatar
83 months ago
I'm using TextWrangler too. Why is it helpful for it to be on the Mac App Store? I only use that to download Mac OS X updates.
It's a personal preference for me. I like a central store for all of my apps, particularly ones I'm paying for. I also like the fact that Apple is hosting the approved binary, so I there's less of a risk that I'll end up downloading some malicious software as a result of their signing key and server becoming compromised (like with what happened with a few apps such as Transmission ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/07/transmission-malware-downloaded-6500-times/'), or Transmission the second time ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/08/30/transmission-keydnap-os-x-malware/')). It also means my payment information goes to one less extra place.

It's all personal preference, but that's my reasoning for preferring Mac App Store apps.

PS: Shoutout to TextWrangler! I was a little upset to hear it's been discontinued :(
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anzio Avatar
83 months ago
Very happy to hear about this. I'm still using TextWrangler, but I'll switch to BBEdit in a heartbeat if it becomes available on the Mac App Store. Glad to see they're returning.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justperry Avatar
83 months ago
The header reads as if the Mac App store is about to launch
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
83 months ago
IIUC in its march to eventually require all MacOS apps to be in the app store, Apple is requiring sandboxing restrictions on side loaded apps, or they won't run. They have implemented app certification, and eventually you will not be able to run a non-certified app on OSX. It's not there today, but it will be because Apple has to protect the children.
[doublepost=1551125072][/doublepost]
. . . . .
PS: Shoutout to TextWrangler! I was a little upset to hear it's been discontinued :(
The functionality was moved into BBEdit. You can use BBEdit without a license with reduced functionality (about the same functionality as TextWrangler had).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OriginalMacRat Avatar
83 months ago
I'm still using version 9.6.3.

I'll be motivated to upgrade when it gets added to the app store.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...