#macos companion app protocol mismatch

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gritty sparrow
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I updated my mac mini to the latest version of Tahoe, and now the macos companion app shows a gateway error (protocol mismatch). The gateway is running so I don't understand how to fix it.

magic islandBOT
#

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lone fernBOT
# gritty sparrow I updated my mac mini to the latest version of Tahoe, and now the macos companio...

That error usually means the macOS companion app and the running gateway/CLI are from incompatible protocol versions. So the gateway can be “running” and still be rejected by the app.

First, can you paste:

openclaw --version
openclaw gateway status

The most likely fix is to update the CLI/gateway, then restart it:

openclaw update
openclaw gateway restart
openclaw doctor

If openclaw update is not available or fails, re-run the installer:

lone fernBOT
gritty sparrow
#

Here is the version: OpenClaw 2026.5.12 (f066dd2)
Here is the status:
Config warnings:

  • plugins.entries.openclaw-web-search: plugin openclaw-web-search: installed plugin package requires compiled runtime output for TypeScript entry index.ts: expected ./dist/index.js, ./dist/index.mjs, ./dist/index.cjs, index.js, index.mjs, index.cjs. This is a plugin packaging issue, not a local config problem; update or reinstall the plugin after the publisher ships compiled JavaScript, or disable/uninstall the plugin until then. TypeScript source fallback is only supported for source checkouts and local development paths.

🦞 OpenClaw 2026.5.12 (f066dd2) — One CLI to rule them all, and one more restart because you changed the port.

│
â—‡
Service: LaunchAgent (loaded)
File logs: /tmp/openclaw/openclaw-2026-05-15.log
Command: /opt/homebrew/opt/node/bin/node /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/index.js gateway --port 18789
Service file: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.gateway.plist
Working dir: ~/.openclaw
Service env: OPENCLAW_GATEWAY_PORT=18789

Config (cli): ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
Config (service): ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

Gateway: bind=loopback (127.0.0.1), port=18789 (service args)
Probe target: ws://127.0.0.1:18789
Dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:18789/
Probe note: Loopback-only gateway; only local clients can connect.

CLI version: 2026.5.12 (/opt/homebrew/bin/openclaw)
Gateway version: 2026.5.12

Runtime: running (pid 2013, state active)
Connectivity probe: ok
Capability: admin-capable

Listening: 127.0.0.1:18789
Troubles: run openclaw status
Troubleshooting: https://docs.openclaw.ai/troubleshooting

lone fernBOT
# gritty sparrow Here is the version: OpenClaw 2026.5.12 (f066dd2) Here is the status: Config wa...

Thanks, that status is actually pretty clean. The openclaw-web-search plugin warning is unrelated to the companion app protocol error.

Since both CLI and gateway are 2026.5.12, the likely mismatch is the macOS app binary itself. The app and gateway need compatible protocol versions, so please check the app version from the menu bar app’s About/Settings UI. If it’s not also 2026.5.12 or newer, update/reinstall the macOS companion app, then fully quit and reopen it.

After updating the app, run:

openclaw gateway restart
openclaw gateway status

If the app is already 2026.5.12+ and still says protocol mismatch, paste the relevant lines from:

openclaw logs --follow

right after opening the app. We’re looking for the handshake line with protocol mismatch and the client version/mode.

Docs reference: https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/bundled-gateway

gritty sparrow
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I don't remember how I installed the companion app - can you give me a link?

lone fernBOT
gritty sparrow
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I cannot find the dmg installer

lone fernBOT
# gritty sparrow I cannot find the dmg installer

You’re not missing it — I checked the release assets, and v2026.5.12 currently has no .dmg attached. The latest release I can see with a macOS DMG is v2026.5.7:
https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/download/v2026.5.7/OpenClaw-2026.5.7.dmg

But don’t install that against your 2026.5.12 gateway unless you also downgrade the CLI/gateway, because that version skew is probably what caused the protocol mismatch.

Best options:

  1. Wait for a 2026.5.12 macOS app asset / file an issue here: https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/issues
  2. Or temporarily run the matching older pair: install the 2026.5.7 app and downgrade the CLI/gateway to 2026.5.7, then restart the gateway.

Docs say the macOS app and gateway need compatible versions: https://docs.openclaw.ai/platforms/mac/bundled-gateway

gritty sparrow
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Ok thanks - was pretty sure I was going crazy

lone fernBOT
# gritty sparrow Ok thanks - was pretty sure I was going crazy

Nope, you weren’t going crazy. This is a real release-asset mismatch: the gateway package exists, but the matching macOS app artifact doesn’t appear to be attached for that tag.

If you file it, I’d include: 2026.5.12 release has no OpenClaw macOS DMG/zip asset, causing companion app protocol mismatch after CLI/gateway update.

Glad we pinned it down. 🦞