Apple is obsessed with privacy and security which is a good thing for us, the end-users. By default, macOS allows you to only run apps and software that are downloaded from the Mac App Store or identified developers. But if you want to open an app from an unidentified developer in macOS, then here are two ways to do so.
However, before we begin, a word of caution! It is a common and prevalent practice to insert harmful code and malware into apps and distribute/redistribute them. So, it is quite possible that a shady app that you torrented or got from an unverified developer might be infected and dangerous. If you understand the consequences and still want to proceed, here is how to override your security settings and open an app anyway from the unidentified developer in macOS.
How to Allow and Open App from Unidentified Developer in macOS
Once in Safe Mode we opened the Mac App Store and searched for Mojave. In later versions of macOS you should be able to find the update in System Preferences Software Update. Have you tried right click on the app and then click the Open button? What does it say then? The Verge: Mac OS 8 is now an app you can download and install on.
Step #1. Launch Finder on your Mac and locate the app you want to open. You are most likely to find this app in Downloads, Desktop or Applications folder.
Note: Do not use Launchpad as Launchpad does not allow a shortcut menu on apps.
Step #2.Control-click (hold the Control button and click) on the app icon.
Step #3. Now click on Open from the above list. Confirm if asked again to whether open the app or not.
You will see that the unidentified app has opened. From now onwards, this app is saved as an exception to your security settings. Anytime in the future, you can open it by double-clicking just like you open other known and registered apps. As mentioned in the previous line, this does not change the whole relevant security settings of your Mac but merely creates an exception for this particular app. Everything else is just as secure as it was.
Additional Method: If you don’t follow the above steps and simply double click an unidentified app and it does not open and shows a popup similar to the one below.
Go to System Preferences – Security and Privacy and click on the Open Anyway option. Enter your Mac’s password if asked.
The above methods were relatively secure, easy, and swift to open an unidentified app. It hardly took a few clicks. However, if you would like to change the security settings of your Mac (as far as app launching is concerned), then you will have to disable Gatekeeper and turn on Allow apps downloaded from to: Anywhere.
How to Allow All Unknown Apps to Open on Mac Running macOS Catalina
Step#1. Open Terminal on your Mac by going into Launchpad – Other. Or you may press together Command(⌘) + Space Bar to open Spotlight Search, type Terminal and hit enter.
Step #2. Make sure System Preferences is not open. If it is, close it. In the Terminal type the following command and hit enter.
sudo spctl ––master-disable
Step #3. Enter your Mac’s password and hit enter. Note that when you type the password it won’t be visible. You may close Terminal now.
Step #4. Launch System Preferences from your Dock or by clicking on Apple Logo – System Preferences. Now click on Security and Privacy.
Step #5. Under the General tab, you might see that under ‘Allow apps downloaded from’, ‘Anywhere’ is chosen. If not, then from the bottom left, click on the closed padlock icon and enter your Mac’s Password.
Step #6. From under Allow apps downloaded from: choose Anywhere. Click on Allow From Anywhere to confirm. Click on the open padlock to prevent further changes as our motive has been achieved.
From now onwards your Mac will open all apps irrespective of whether it is downloaded from App Store, App Store and identified developers or any random developer. Please know that this is dangerous for the security and safety of your Mac and your private data. So only do this if you know what you are into. For most ordinary people, it is advised that you do not go this route. Use the first method instead.
To turn Gatekeeper back on and return everything to the default state:
Open Terminal and type the following command and hit the enter key. Input your Mac’s password to confirm.
sudo spctl –master-enable
Are All Apps from Unidentified Developers Dangerous?
No. This is not necessarily the case. As Apple puts it, there may be some apps that were written before developer ID registration began. As a result, the app may not have been reviewed, and thus macOS can’t check whether the app has been modified or broken since it was released. Similarly, suppose you or your developer friend or someone you have been following for long and trust, build a simple app as a hobby. Is it dangerous? No! It is just not registered with Apple.
The safest approach to install an app from an unidentified developer is by finding a similar alternative app from the Mac App Store or identified developer. Sometimes paying for a similar app may also be a sensible solution than using a free unknown app. But if nothing works for you overriding the security settings and allowing apps from unidentified developers in macOS is a solution. In this sense, macOS is more flexible than iOS.
You may like to read:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
Macos Catalina App Cannot Be Opened
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/dhvanesh/
All Mac OS versions run on a technology called Gatekeeper, It’s designed to ensure that only trusted software runs on your Mac. If the software you are trying to open is not certified you will see a message like this “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”
Top Examples
- “mysqlworkbench” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
Note: Allowing apps to be installed manually brings potential risk from malware. Programs like Source Tree are legit, however try to make sure you are downloading the latest version of the software and from an authorized website before proceeding.
Bypass “Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”
Most applications can be easily opened by this method:
Time Needed :2 minutes
“Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”
- Method 1
System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> click “Open Anyway”.
- Method 2 – Right Click App
Instead of double clicking on the app, just right click and press Open.
You will get a notice “Can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.” however you will still get the option to open the program - Method 3 “Works for Mac OS Catalina”
Open “Terminal” App — Applications > Terminal. Use
xattrto remove the app from quarantine. Source Reddit$ xattr -d com.apple.quarantine <app-path>
Materials
- Mac OS Catelina, Mojave and Older
Apple has removed the option allow all third Party Applications.
Since the release of the Mac OS Catalina apple has removed the option in the Security and Privacy settings to allow programs from “Anywhere” to be downloaded. From now on only individual programs can be given permission to be installed.
- Why do I get the message “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.”
Many programs have a notarization issue since the Catalina Update. Apple has tightened its privacy policies and has limited certification to apps only in the app store. Even though there are workarounds most users might feel an unease to install such programs.
Most Common “can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.” Errors
- “java 8 update 251” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “jdk 8 update 251.pkg” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “runescape” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “mongodb compass” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
- “mysqlworkbench”
- “Origin”
- “macperformance”
- “appium”
- “nox app”
- “install”
“mysqlworkbench” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
“mysqlworkbench” refers to MySQL Work Bench is a legitimate program and it should not be considered malware. It is a unified visual tool for database architects, developers, and DBAs. MySQL Workbench also provides data modeling, SQL development, user administration, backup, and much more. MySQL Workbench compatible with most version of Mac OS X, including the latest version Mac OS 10.15.5
“sourcetree” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
Sourcetree most definitely is not malicious. It interacts with your Git repositories and visualizes and manages your repositories through Sourcetree’s simple Git GUI. It is a Free Git client that is compatible with both Mac OS 10 and Windows 10. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of SourceTree for Mac
“java 8 update 251” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
“Java 8 Update 251” (8u251) refers to the latest version of Java 8.0. This is not malicious software however you cannot download the software from the app store therefore the pop up message will show up in all cases. If you are interested in what the latest updates includes you can check out the official update release for Java here.
mysql-8.0.21-macos10.15-x86_64.pkg
The latest MySQL package for mac is appearing to have the same problem. Installing it directly from the official MySQL page will still lead to the same message “mysql-8.0.21-macos10.15-x86_64.pkg” can’t be opened because apple cannot check it for malicious software.
Alternative messages
Mac Os App Damaged Cannot Be Opened
Some users have been receiving a similar message “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware”. It is again related to gatekeeper technology where the application is not verified by apple. Many reputable applications have such a message when trying to install on a mac.
Cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer mac
In this case MacOS is not mentioning that this application is potentially dangerous. This is somewhat confusing as many unidentified developer apps for Mac do receive a message that it cannot be checked for malicious software. If you do however get this message you can still bypass and open the app with the same instructions above.