# Tool for "splitting" signed and notarized universal binaries

**URL:** <https://iplug2.discourse.group/t/tool-for-splitting-signed-and-notarized-universal-binaries/1025>\
**Category:** macOS\
**Created:** [12 October 2025 18:04 UTC](https://iplug2.discourse.group/t/tool-for-splitting-signed-and-notarized-universal-binaries/1025 "2025-10-12T18:04:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RexMartin2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@RexMartin2](https://iplug2.discourse.group/u/RexMartin2)\
**Post date:** [12 October 2025 18:04 UTC](https://iplug2.discourse.group/t/tool-for-splitting-signed-and-notarized-universal-binaries/1025/1 "2025-10-12T18:04:03Z")

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A plugin user has reported a “tool” he created for splitting out the ARM vs x86 code from published, notarized plugins to “save space”. [https://gearspace.com/board/new-product-alert/1456018-free-unfatten-free-up-dozens-hundreds-gb-your-mac-trimming-fat-your-plugiins.html](https://gearspace.com/board/new-product-alert/1456018-free-unfatten-free-up-dozens-hundreds-gb-your-mac-trimming-fat-your-plugiins.html)

If he is able to do this (strip out parts of signed and notarized file) then its seems to me that the Signing and Notarization process isn’t offering any hacking/malware protection. Why isn’t the Apple notarization/signing/validating system preventing this?