LabVIEW Crashes on macOS 11 Big Sur

Issue Details

I have recently updated my Mac to macOS 11 Big Sur. I can install LabVIEW 2018, 2019 or 2020, but when I try to open LabVIEW, LabVIEW crashes on the home (splash) screen. 

Solution

LabVIEW 2021 supports macOS Big Sur so you need to install this version or newer to avoid the crash.

If you are using a previous version (2020 SP1 or older) you can follow the steps below as a workaround. Nevertheless, LabVIEW 2020 SP1 or previous versions are not officially supported in Big Sur OS so it is highly recommended to install LabVIEW 2021 or newer.
 

• In the Terminal window enter two commands that will attempt to resolve LabVIEW crashing and redraw the UI.
  • Open the Terminal on Mac.
  • Enter the following commands:
    • defaults write com.ni.labview NSGraphicsContextAllowOverRestore -bool YES
      • This command should resolve the crash.
    • defaults write com.ni.labview NSViewAllowsRootLayerBacking -bool NO
      • This command should redraw the LabVIEW UI.
  • Note: If you want to run a program that was developed with LabVIEW, run the previous commands but change 'com.ni.labview' to the app's bundle identifer, which is the name you put in the 'Internal name' field of the Version Information tab in the build specification (the default is "com.company.MyApplication"). As an alternative you can copy a plist file to the new computer and place it in the /Library/Preferences directory. You can view additional information about plist files in this external link: About Information Property List File.
• Downgrade to macOS 10.15 Catalina, or an older version of macOS. 
  • This maybe difficult to do, but there are guides online on how to downgrade macOS, for example: How to downgrade macOS Big Sur to Catalina or older.
• Dual boot the Mac with Windows 10 and run LabVIEW on the Windows partition. 
  • Information can be found on the Apple website: Install Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp Assistant.
  • Be aware that a Windows license maybe required. 
• Install a Windows virtual machine. 
  • There a lot options for virtual machine software, some are free to use, others are paid for. Search online at place like this: Best virtual machine software for Mac for the most suitable option. 
  • Instructions on how to install the virtual machine can usually be found on the supplier website or through tutorial videos online. 
  • Be aware that a Windows license maybe required. 
• If you have access to another machine, then a quick solution would be to use either a Windows PC, or a Mac that hasn't been updated. 

Additional Information

If you need to download Windows 10, or create the installation media, this information can be found on the Microsoft website: Download Windows 10.