X2Go Launcher for macOS#

This page provides the public download and basic instructions for X2Go Launcher for macOS. Use it only if you are using X2Go Client on a Mac and X2Go fails to start an X11 session.

The current course syllabus, course announcements, account instructions, and applicable CSN or college policies take precedence over anything on this website.

What X2Go Launcher is#

X2Go Launcher is a small macOS application that starts X2Go Client with a temporary compatibility setting.

It is a launcher for X2Go Client. It is not a replacement for X2Go Client.

Beginning with macOS 26.4, the location used for XQuartz display sockets changed. X2Go Client 4.1.2.2 may look for that socket in older locations. When that happens, X2Go may fail to start an X11 session even though XQuartz and X2Go Client are installed.

The University at Buffalo documents the underlying issue and manual workaround:

X2Go and macOS 26

X2Go Launcher automates that workaround.¹

When to use it#

Use X2Go Launcher if all of these are true:

• you are using macOS 26.4 or later
• you are using X2Go Client 4.1.2.2
• X2Go fails to start an X11 session because it cannot locate the XQuartz display

If you are using an earlier version of macOS, you can still open X2Go Launcher. It detects that the workaround is not needed and starts X2Go Client normally.

Requirements#

Before using X2Go Launcher, install:

• X2Go Client
• XQuartz

X2Go Launcher has been tested on Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon Macs.

The application is code-signed and notarized by Apple. It should pass macOS Gatekeeper without changing your macOS security settings.

Download#

Download the launcher:

X2GoLauncher-1.0-macOS.zip

To verify the download, compare its SHA-256 checksum with this value:

5fafb808bd8f0f787435910bf23b361e455dda6a0fc03e3edf7de7632fea1df8

Install and start X2Go#

1. Download X2GoLauncher-1.0-macOS.zip.
2. Extract the ZIP archive.
3. Move X2GoLauncher.app to your Applications folder, if desired.
4. Open X2GoLauncher instead of opening X2Go Client directly.
5. Use X2Go normally.

No launcher configuration is required.

If XQuartz is not already running, X2Go Launcher starts it. The first XQuartz startup may take several seconds.

What the launcher changes#

X2Go Launcher does not permanently modify macOS, XQuartz, or X2Go Client.

It does not:

• replace or modify X2Go Client
• replace or modify XQuartz
• modify system configuration files
• permanently change the DISPLAY environment variable
• require sudo or administrator privileges

The compatibility setting applies only to the X2Go Client process started by the launcher. Temporary files created by the launcher are removed when X2Go Client exits.

What the launcher does#

On macOS 26.4 and later, X2Go Launcher:

1. locates the installed X2Go Client
2. checks for a working XQuartz display socket
3. starts XQuartz if necessary
4. waits for the XQuartz display socket to become available
5. creates a temporary compatibility path for X2Go Client when needed
6. starts X2Go Client with DISPLAY pointing to that compatibility path
7. removes the temporary directory after X2Go Client exits

The temporary directory is created with permissions limited to the current user.

Troubleshooting#

X2Go Launcher records diagnostic information in this file:

~/Library/Logs/x2go-launcher.log

If the launcher cannot find X2Go Client or cannot detect a working XQuartz display, it shows an error instead of starting X2Go with an invalid configuration.

For connection problems, use the CIT Discord server and open a help ticket. For homework questions, use the appropriate course Discord channel without posting your code, visit office hours, or contact me privately.

License#

X2Go Launcher is free software released under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later.

The application is provided without warranty.