diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 28590fe3c..29264aef0 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- macOS: replace relay smoke test with version check in packaging script. (#615) — thanks @YuriNachos
 - macOS: avoid clearing Launch at Login during app initialization. (#607) — thanks @wes-davis
 - Onboarding: skip systemd checks/daemon installs when systemd user services are unavailable; add onboarding flags to skip flow steps and stabilize Docker E2E. (#573) — thanks @steipete
 - macOS: add node bridge heartbeat pings to detect half-open sockets and reconnect cleanly. (#572) — thanks @ngutman
diff --git a/scripts/package-mac-app.sh b/scripts/package-mac-app.sh
index 98a9d69b6..bf399e95c 100755
--- a/scripts/package-mac-app.sh
+++ b/scripts/package-mac-app.sh
@@ -272,6 +272,8 @@ if [[ "${SKIP_GATEWAY_PACKAGE:-0}" != "1" ]]; then
   fi
   rm -rf "$RELAY_BUILD_DIR"
 
+  echo "🧪 Verifying bundled relay (version)"
+  "$RELAY_OUT" --version >/dev/null
 
   echo "🎨 Copying gateway A2UI host assets"
   rm -rf "$RELAY_DIR/a2ui"