Install from Epic Games Launcher on Mac fails to open descriptor file

NoahBeggs
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:42:10 +0000
Distribution

When I try to launch my game via the Epic Games Launcher (upload via build-patch-tool, push to stage, then install), it immediately gives this “Failed to open descriptor file ../../../Shared/ERcade.uproject” error and fails to load.

This appears to be the exact same error that occurred with Steam here: Steam install on Mac fails to open descriptor file. The solution there was to upload from a Mac instead of Windows machine, however, I am already uploading from a Mac.

Here is my exact process:

Package via the editor on a Mac Mini 2024 (shipping configuration, for distribution, UE5.5.4)

Test packaged build, build launches appropriately

Upload via Build-Patch-Tool 1.7.0

Push artifact to Stage sandbox

Download and install game via Epic Games Launcher

Attempt to Launch, launch immediately fails

Here is my Build-Patch-Tool command (with client ID, etc redacted):

Engine/Binaries/Mac/BuildPatchTool -OrganizationId=“##############” -ProductId=“##############” -ArtifactId=“############” -ClientId=“#############” -ClientSecret=“#############” -mode=UploadBinary -BuildRoot=“/Users/noahbeggs/Documents/Unreal Projects/MacBuild/ERcadem084.xcarchive/Products/Applications/ERcade.app” -CloudDir=“/Users/noahbeggs/Desktop/BuildPatchTool/Engine/Binaries/Archive” -BuildVersion=“m0.8.4l” -AppLaunch=“Contents/MacOS/ERcade” -AppArgs=“”

Here is the log when trying to launch the game after downloading and installing from Epic Games Launcher:

/Users/Shared/Epic\ Games/ERcade3tE1H/Contents/MacOS/ERcade ; exit;
noahbeggs@Mac ~ % /Users/Shared/Epic\ Games/ERcade3tE1H/Contents/MacOS/ERcade ; exit;
2025-06-13 15:24:07.121 ERcade[8858:108966387] [UE4] Shutdown handler: initialize.
2025-06-13 15:24:07.226 ERcade[8858:108966441] [UE] MessageBox: Message : Failed to open descriptor file ../../../Shared/ERcade.uproject

Saving session…
…copying shared history…
…saving history…truncating history files…
…completed.

[Process completed]

Of note, doing all this on Windows has been working without issue. I just had some early players request a MacOS build so am trying to add that. Any ideas how to fix this? Anyone else run into the same issue?

2 posts - 1 participant