MatLab is not running SPM12 on R2023b with M3 chip

When I try running spm12 in matlab version R2023b with an M3 chip Mac, I get the following error message:

Error using spm_check_installation>check_basic

SPM uses a number of MEX files, which are compiled functions.

These need to be compiled for the various platforms on which SPM

is run. At the FIL, where SPM is developed, the number of

computer platforms is limited. It is therefore not possible to

release a version of SPM that will run on all computers. See

/Applications/spm12/src/Makefile and

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/SPM#Installation

for information about how to compile mex files for MACA64

in MATLAB 23.2.0.2485118 (R2023b) Update 6.

Error in spm_check_installation (line 28)

check_basic;

Error in spm (line 290)

spm_check_installation('basic');

I have tried using the developer version of SPM12 from github and have also edited some of the scripts to add maca64 (rather than maci64), but none of these changes seemed to work. I have also tried making the changes to terminal as suggested by this wiki (https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/SPM/Installation_on_64bit_Mac_OS_(Intel)#macOS_Catalina,_Big_Sur,_Monterey,_Ventura).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Lesbia Osiris Lopez]

Did you solve it? I have the same problem.

[Eloïse Gerardin]

I have also the same problem, did you find a solution?

[Taryn Berman]

Downloading the developer version worked for me: https://github.com/spm/spm

There is also more information here about what to do if you encounter problems: https://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/spm/docs/installation/#macos

Answer 1

[Amir Dehsarvi]

Installing spm12 developers version worked on M2. Try that.

[Taryn Berman]

That worked, thank you!

Answer 2

[akshatsood]

Hi @Taryn Berman

I understand that you are encountering an error on running SPM12 on your system. From what I can understand, this issue is related to the Apple's Gatekeeper which is a security feature of the macOS operating system. It enforces code signing and verifies downloaded applications before allowing them to run, thereby preventing you from launching malicious software. The option to disable this security feature no longer appears for newer macOS versions.

Thus, to address the error, you can temporarily disable Gatekeeper in the terminal by executing the following command

>> sudo spctl --master-disable

Now, the Anywhere option should be available under the Allow apps downloaded from section of System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. From here, you can access and change the settings to loosen or tighten Gatekeeper security.

It is recommended to undo the change and re-enable Gatekeeper once you have met your requirements. To re-enable Gatekeeper, you can do so with a simple terminal command.

>> sudo spctl --master-enable

The Anywhere option in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General should now be unavailable, and only standard Gatekeeper settings will appear.

If you’re unsure about the current status of Gatekeeper and wish to double-check that the desired changes have occurred, you can do so with the following terminal command.

>> spctl --status

If the terminal output is "assesments enabled", then the Gatekeeper is enabled. Otherwise, "assesments disabled" points that Gatekeeper is disabled and necessary action needs to be taken.

I hope this helps.

[Stefan Möller]

Have you tried compiling the mex files in spm/src according to the wiki?

[Taryn Berman]

I have tried following the wiki, and I still wasn't able to get it to work.

[Taryn Berman]

@akshatsood Thank you for your detailed response. Do you think the issue is with downloading SPM onto my computer? As far as I know, I am able to successfully download SPM, I encounter the issue when trying to open/install it in Matlab. I tried disabling Gatekeeper and it did not appear to make a difference.