Cannot run DK 8.4 (macOS 14.5 (Sonoma)/M2 Pro Mac Mini)

[gz01@iinet]

Am unable to run DK 8.4 (debug version). macOS 14.5 (Sonoma) on M2 Pro Mac Mini. 
DK 8.4 has full disk access; existing DK 7.9 database & config files are backed up. 
Installed from 'digiKam-8.4.0-Qt5-MacOS-x86_64-debug.pkg'

Am again(!) attempting to upgrade from 7.9 (very stable).  
Previous upgrades on this same Mac Mini to 8.0, 8.1, 8.2 & 8.3 were not successful and I reverted to 7.9 MySQL config in each case. 

My collection is approximately 220K files, stored locally & on removable drives.
DK's database is stored on the mac's internal SSD. 

Is MacPorts still an issue?  There were problems with MacPorts versions in the past. 

I think Digikam is an excellent app but the many hours I've wasted over recent years trying to get past 7.9 have become a big issue for me. 
Even allowing for mistake(s) on my part, DK updates on a mac with recent hardware/software should not be a risky, potentially stressful procedure.  

The answer may well be simple but… what is it???

Summary below of various 8.4 update attempts… 

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MySQL config:  
Binaries installed with DK app (example file ‘mariadbd'): 
DK 7.9:   /Applications/digiKam.org/digikam.app/Contents/lib/mariadb-10.5/bin/mysqld (symbolic link to … /mariadb-10.5/bin/mariadbd)
DK 7.9:   /Applications/digiKam.org/digikam.app/Contents/lib/mariadb-10.5/bin/mariadbd
DK 8.4:   /Applications/digiKam.org/digikam.app/Contents/lib/mariadb/bin/mysqld

1.  MySQL binary tools not found:  mariadbd, mariadb-admin, mariadb-upgrade & mariadb-install-db 
(options tried:  existing/new db, pref file ‘digikamrc’ existing/deleted)
Cannot access DK app’s package contents from DK’s ‘find’ window (FWIW, tried 'cmd-shift-.' invisibles shortcut). 

2.  Installed HomeBrew 4.3.10 & mariadb 11.4.2 (default installation version)
Confirmed service `mariadb` had already started via Terminal. 
Selected  /opt/homebrew/Cellar/mariadb/11.4.2/bin/mariadbd binary when requested by DK 8.4… 
4 binary tools ’ticked’, ticks soon replaced by 'barred circle' icons then DK error msg: 
An error occurred during the internal server start.Details: Database process exited unexpectedly during initial connection.
Executable: /opt/homebrew/Cellar/mariadb/11.4.2/bin/mariadbd
Arguments: --defaults-file=***/Library/Application Support/ digikam/digikam/mysql.conf, 
--datadir=/***/digikam_MySQL_db_folder5/.mysql.digikam/db_data, 
--basedir=/Applications/digiKam.org/digikam.app/Contents//lib/mariadb/, 
--socket=***/Library/Application Support/digikam/digikam/db_misc/ mysql.socket
Process error: Unknown error

3.  Deleted ~/Library/Preferences/digikamrc
Start with empty database folder & homebrew mariadb 11.4.2. 
DK msg: internal MySQL database is initializing, please wait… 
Closed DK  msg window after waiting 15 minutes. 

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4.  SQLite config: New database, WAL mode enabled. 
DK 'quit unexpectedly' as soon as the browser window opened… 
Apple crash report: 
PC register does not match crashing frame (0x0 vs 0x147859175)
Crashed Thread:        6  Digikam::ScanController
Exception Type:        EXC_BAD_ACCESS (SIGSEGV)
Exception Codes:       KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS at 0x0000000000000007
Exception Codes:       0x0000000000000001, 0x0000000000000007
Termination Reason:    Namespace SIGNAL, Code 11 Segmentation fault: 11
Terminating Process:   exc handler [22419]…
*****************************************

Regards,
Gary


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