Apple’s App Store is a great place to download and install apps for your Mac OS but it isn’t the only place. You can download many apps from third-party developers which are quite useful for many people. However, Mac OS X implements some great security measures to prevent you from accidentally running malicious apps that might or might not damage your computer. But in some cases, it also prevents you from installing legitimate apps from running on your Macbook. We have two methods using which you can allow apps from unidentified developers on Mac OS X.
There are many third-party developers who develop apps for Mac OS but some of them are unidentified developers. Mac allows apps only from the App Store and some recognized developers. So, if you’re trying to install software from unknown developers, you’ll get the below error.
How to open a Mac app from an unidentified developer with one click Posted by Osas Obaizamomwan on Mar 10, 2016 in How To, Mac Tips Tricks, Top Stories Apple created the Gatekeeper program to help protect users from themselves. This app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer. Apple has a security feature called “Gatekeeper” which protects your Mac from malicious apps. Gatekeeper requires apps to either be from the Mac App Store (a place that Apple controls) or from a developer who is registered with Apple. Obviously, the same feature doesn’t let you open apps from unidentified developers on Mac OS X. While apps available in the Mac App Store adhere to Apple’s security standards and have also been thoroughly verified, the operating system sees them as safe, which is not the case for apps from third-party sources. Your application will start in the usual way. Following this path, you can open all applications created by unidentified developers, however, bear in mind that you will also be increasing the chance of Mac infection. Back to Table of Contents Allow access to all applications created by an unidentified developer. To override your security settings and open the app anyway follow these steps: In the Finder on your Mac, locate the app you want to open. Don’t use Launchpad to do this. Launchpad doesn’t allow you to access the shortcut menu. Control-click the app icon, then choose Open from the shortcut menu.
Apple has introduced a security feature called the Gatekeeper from OS X Mountain Lion. The Gatekeeper analyzes an app when you run it and determines whether it is authorized to run on your computer. If it fails to meet the requirements, the app won’t be allowed to run on your computer. So, below are the two workarounds to open apps from unidentified developers in Mac OS X Yosemite and above.
There are 2 ways you can allow apps from unidentified developers on Mac OS X and below, we’ll discuss both.
Method 1: Temporarily Run an App from Unidentified Developer
- Open the location where you have placed the downloaded app/disk image file on your Mac.
- Press and hold the Ctrl key while right-clicking on the app/file to open the drop-down menu.
- Click on Open. Now, you’ll see a pop-up asking if you’d like to open this file. Press Open again to launch the file.
Method 2: Change the Gatekeeper Settings
This method will allow all the apps/files from unidentified developers to run on your Mac without limitation. However, it is not recommended for starters to use this method as you may run some malware from unrecognized sources which might harm your computer. So, proceed with this method only if you’re sure of what you’re doing.
How To Open Apps From Unidentified Developers On Mac
- Open System Preferences. To do this, either click on the System Preferences icon in the Dock or from Apple Menu > System Preferences.
- Open the Security & Privacy settings by clicking Security & Privacy in the System Preferences window.
- In the General tab, click the lock icon labeled Click the lock to make changes at the bottom of the window.
- Now it may ask for your credentials to authenticate the action. So, provide your login credentials and click Unlock.
- Under the section labeled Allow applications downloaded from:, select Anywhere.
- You’ll get a prompt to confirm again. Click Allow From Anywhere to change the settings.
- Close the settings window once you’re done.
How To Open Apps From Unidentified Developers
That’s it. Now you can simply install apps/files from unidentified developers on your Mac. Let us know if you have any queries in the comments section.
Read Next: 8 Best WordPress Blogging App for Mac