Cratebox requires macOS 12 or later on Apple Silicon (M1 and newer). You need an internet connection for the initial setup and to access the sources you download from.
Check your Mac
Open Apple menu → About This Mac. Check that the chip is Apple Silicon (for example, Apple M1) and that macOS meets the requirement above. The published build is not an Intel Mac, Windows, iPhone or Android app.
Install the app
- Open the Cratebox download page on your Mac and download the DMG.
- Open the DMG and drag Cratebox to Applications.
- Open Cratebox from Applications and allow its initial setup to finish.
- The 14-day trial starts on first launch; no card is required.
Signed with a Developer ID certificate and notarized by Apple. If macOS reports that the app is damaged or cannot verify it, download a fresh copy from the official page and contact support with the exact message. Do not disable macOS security protections to get past an unexpected warning.
If audio setup needs ffmpeg
Cratebox can use an existing working ffmpeg installation. If none is available, the setup screen gives installation steps. On a Mac with a supported Homebrew installation, run brew install ffmpeg in Terminal, wait for it to finish, then return to Cratebox and choose Retry.
Homebrew has its own installation requirements, which can be newer than Cratebox’s minimum macOS version. For an older Mac or a different installation method, contact support or use the FFmpeg download guidance. Cratebox does not run Homebrew installation commands for you.
Make your first download
- Choose a writable folder in Settings.
- Choose your audio output format and save the settings.
- Paste a link to a source you own or are allowed to download, or search inside the app.
- Start one track. When it completes, open its folder and check playback.
If setup or a download stops
- Setup could not finish: check the connection and retry. Cratebox needs working tools for extraction and audio conversion. For missing ffmpeg, follow the steps above. If retry fails, send support the named component and its error.
- Folder or disk error: select a writable folder and check the available disk space, then retry the item.
- Source unavailable: verify that the link opens and that the source permits access. Some restrictions cannot be resolved by an app retry.
- License or trial verification needed: reconnect to the internet and use the verification action shown in the app. Contact support if the state remains unchanged.
Send the app version, your macOS version, chip model and the exact error to support@cratebox.app. Do not include card details, passwords or your complete license key in a public post.
For published app changes, see release notes. For subscription and refund details, see pricing and the refund policy.