Why Does AppSwitcher Deployment Fail in Production?

Question

I’m attempting to deploy a bundle to Production from my final staging environment, which is a partial sandbox. The deployment works fine in the partial sandbox but fails in Production with the following error:

“AppSwitcher of Type AppMenu failed to deploy due to In field: AppMenuItem.Name – no ConnectedApp named Chatter_Desktop found.”

Looking at the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml, I can see this reference:

<appMenuItems>
    <name>Chatter_Desktop</name>
    <type>ConnectedApp</type>
</appMenuItems>

And I can confirm that Chatter Desktop is visible in the list of Connected Apps in Production.

The bundle I’m deploying includes a new Lightning App, which is the first one added since I started using DevOps Center. This new Lightning App introduced AppMenus into my project metadata when it wasn’t there before.

Is this a known issue? What should I do to resolve it? Should I modify the Chatter Desktop Connected App so that the AppMenu can find it, or should I remove the appMenuItem for Chatter Desktop from the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml? Would removing it cause any issues?

Also, I noticed that the AppMenu page in Setup is blank in Production, which makes me wonder if this is related to a version issue.

Answers:

1. Check if the Chatter Desktop Connected App is properly referenced: Although the Chatter Desktop Connected App appears in your production environment, it’s worth verifying that it is properly configured and visible in your org’s metadata. It might be referencing an old version of the app or might not be included in the specific metadata you are trying to deploy. Ensure that the app is correctly linked to the AppMenu and doesn’t have issues with its configuration. The code reference for the Connected App in the metadata might need updating based on how it’s defined in the production environment.
2. Remove the appMenuItem reference: If the Chatter Desktop app is not required in the deployment, or if it causes issues, you can consider removing the reference to it in the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml file. This should prevent the deployment error. However, if the app is essential, removing it could lead to missing functionality, so make sure you fully understand the consequences of this change. If you decide to remove the appMenuItem entry, you can simply comment it out or delete it as shown below:

<!-- <appMenuItems>
    <name>Chatter_Desktop</name>
    <type>ConnectedApp</type>
</appMenuItems> -->

Removing this entry ensures no reference to the Chatter Desktop Connected App exists, avoiding the error.

3. Check for version mismatches or inconsistencies: The blank page in the AppMenu in Setup might indicate a version mismatch between the staging and production environments. Ensure that the versions of Salesforce in both environments are aligned and that any necessary metadata components (like Connected Apps) are compatible. Sometimes, inconsistencies in metadata versions can cause issues when deploying changes. Ensure that both environments are on compatible API versions, as mismatches can lead to problems with metadata recognition.

4. Consider re-deploying the Connected App separately: If modifying the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml doesn’t resolve the issue, try deploying the Connected App separately to Production first. This can ensure that the Connected App is properly set up before it’s referenced in the AppMenu. Deploying the Connected App manually can confirm its availability in the metadata and ensure there are no missing references. Here’s an example of how to deploy the Connected App separately using a deployment script:

<deploy>
    <metadata>
        <ConnectedApp>
            <name>Chatter_Desktop</name>
            <label>Chatter Desktop</label>
            <description>Chatter Desktop Application</description>
        </ConnectedApp>
    </metadata>
</deploy>

This ensures that the Connected App is explicitly defined and deployed before the AppMenu references it.

Summing Up

The error “AppSwitcher of Type AppMenu failed to deploy due to In field: AppMenuItem.Name – no ConnectedApp named Chatter_Desktop found” occurs when deploying a bundle that references the Chatter Desktop Connected App in the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml file. While the app is visible in the production environment, the issue may arise from version mismatches or misconfiguration of metadata.

To resolve the issue:

1. Verify the Chatter Desktop Connected App reference: Ensure the app is properly configured and recognized in both staging and production environments. It might need an update to match the metadata configuration in production.
2. Remove the appMenuItem entry for Chatter Desktop: If the app is not essential for the deployment, removing or commenting out the reference in the AppSwitcher.appMenu-meta.xml will avoid the deployment error.
3. Check for version mismatches: A blank AppMenu page in Setup might indicate a version issue between environments. Ensure compatibility of metadata versions across both staging and production.
4. Deploy the Connected App separately: If necessary, deploy the Connected App manually before referencing it in the AppMenu. This can help ensure the app is available in the metadata and avoid errors during the bundle deployment.

Real-Time Project-Based Salesforce Course

Our Salesforce Course is designed to equip you with a solid foundation and advanced skills needed to thrive in the Salesforce ecosystem. Covering key areas such as Salesforce Admin, Developer, and AI modules, our course offers a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. With a focus on real-time project scenarios, you’ll gain practical expertise that directly applies to the challenges faced by businesses today. Our expert instructors guide you through each step, ensuring you’re well-prepared for both certification and real-world implementation.

In addition to technical proficiency, our Salesforce training in Pune provides personalized mentorship and tailored interview preparation to help you excel in the competitive job market. You’ll receive access to detailed class notes, practical assignments, and one-on-one support throughout the program. By the end of the training, you’ll be equipped not only with the skills to succeed in Salesforce roles but also with the confidence and insights needed to advance your career. Join us and take the first step toward mastering Salesforce and unlocking new career opportunities!