How to open apps not from Mac App Store. A new, third option will have appeared allowing you to 'Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere'. You'll have to click the padlock icon to make changes to. Delete the app preference file. Plist files can become corrupt when a Mac shuts down or restarts unexpectedly or when an app freezes or crashes. As a result, the app may not open. When you delete a bad preference file, the Mac creates a new plist file that contains all the app's defaults automatically. Apr 07, 2017 Apps from anywhere else: Apps that aren’t acquired from the Mac App Store and aren’t signed with a developer ID fall into this last category. Apple considers these the least secure, but it doesn’t mean an app is untrustworthy–after all, Mac apps that haven’t been updated in years may not. Installing apps on Mac is easy. All you’ve to do head over to the App Store, search for the app and install it. That’s what Apple recommends. Installing apps from other sources is never easy and will be blocked when tried to install even after downloaded. They are blocked by a specific security feature which is called Gatekeeper. Feb 17, 2019 Mac - Allow Apps from Anywhere in macOS Security Gatekeeper -Mojave, Sierra, High Sierra, El Captian - Duration: 2:50. MacGeni - Your Mac & PC expert 22,268 views 2:50.
Maybe this one change in macOS Sierra slipped by until you needed it most. Or maybe you didn’t discovered this little shift until you tried to install a favorite app that you didn’t download from the mac app store. Whatever the manner, you learn the hard way that macOS Sierra’s made invisible the usual method to open apps downloaded from anywhere!
The settings was until recently found in the General tab of the Security & Privacy System Preference. But no more, not with macOS. So if you really need that app and can’t figure out how to get it open, it’s frustrating. No, it’s very frustrating that our macs just aren’t working the way the used to!
Since OSX Lion, Apple’s mac operating system includes a security tool named Gatekeeper. This feature prevents downloads of software and apps from unidentified developers. Gatekeeper assumes the app is trouble when the app you want to download is not signed with Apple. And it does not allow that app onto your mac computer. For most mac users, this is a very good thing and helps keep their computers safe and secure. But their are a lot of us iFolk who absolutely need and want the ability to download AND open apps downloaded from anywhere.
Contents
- 1 So What is this Gatekeeper Anyway?
- 3 How-To Open apps Not Available in the app Store
- 4 Terminal Is At Your Command to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
- 5 A Word For the Wise
So What is this Gatekeeper Anyway?
In theory, Gatekeeper protects your mac from apps that potentially have adverse affects. It works by not allowing unsigned apps from downloading and opening on your mac. Apple prefers that all 3rd party apps go through its signing process. Developers register with Apple and a unique Developer ID identifies each developer. This ID is then used in testing and validating the app for Apple products. Apple reviews, approves, and accepts all signed apps. Once accepted, the app then officially supports Gatekeeper. And users are able to download and open these apps via the mac app store.
Apple views this method as the safest and most reliable to download new apps onto your mac computers. They believe that downloading apps exclusively from the mac app store translates into reduced hazard. And since Apple’s reviewed the app, if there’s ever a problem, Apple quickly removes it from the mac app store.
Consequently, if an app is developed by an unknown developer with no Developer ID, Gatekeeper blocks that app from being installed and opened. However, there are a lot of great apps out there, particularly open source apps, that for numerous reasons are not available via the mac app store. Many of these third-party apps are thoroughly tested and have worked on macs and other computers for ages. Either by choice or chance, these apps are not currently available in the mac app store.
What About the mac app store?
It’s easy to think that the mac app store works exactly like the app store for iPhones and other iDevices. But not so! Since the mac app store opened, mac computers have always allowed you to install applications not available in the store. Before there was a mac app store (2011), installing applications via third-party websites or installation discs was the norm. Plus, developers must pay a percentage to Apple when you purchase apps from the mac app store. When purchased directly through the developer, there is no additional fees for Apple, keeping costs lower for all of us users. So for these reasons and more, many apps are not included in the mac app store.
Mac users continue (and will continue) to get apps directly from developers sites or old-school via installation discs. The long and short is that the mac app store is not the only way to get apps. So getting around this macOS default is pretty important!
Where is Setting to Open Apps Downloaded from Anywhere?
In previous versions of its mac operating system, there was a checkbox option in System Preferences>Security & Privacy allowing you to download apps from anywhere. However, macOS Sierra introduced a Gatekeeper that’s a heck of a lot more strict than in the past. In this newest os incarnation, Gatekeeper defaults to only allowing options for apps downloaded from the app store or the app store and identified developers. So for us iFolk that want or need to download an app from a source we trust but Apple currently does not trust (or identify), what to do?
We need that third option, the option to “allow apps downloaded from anywhere” that seemingly disappeared with our update to macOS Sierra.
Luckily, there are a couple of ways to circumvent Gatekeeper’s defaults so when we want or need to, we can indeed open apps downloaded from anywhere.
So let’s get to it!
How-To Open apps Not Available in the app Store
The Super Easy Way to Bypass Apple Defaults and Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
So if your trust the app and its unidentified developer, then there is a really easy way to open that app.
And it’s surprising how simple this method is and basically involves a single click. To selectively bypass Gatekeeper, just Control Click (or Right Click) and choose Open from the menu options. A message appears warning you that the app is from an unidentified developer and asks if you are sure you want to open it? If you are confident in the app’s source, click Open. That’s it!
This option works for single apps. It does update your computer’s internal list of identified developers so in the future, macOS recognizes the developer as “identified.” But this method does not make universal updates to your Security & Privacy System options. It’s a one and done option, for times when you want or need to download and open a particular app that is currently NOT available in the app store. (i.e. the app is not signed.)
Another, Slightly Longer Way to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
Assuming you trust the app, after downloading move it to your Applications folder. Now, try to open it. You likely see a warning that the app “can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.” Select OK. But this does not actually open the app.
Now, go to System Preferences>Security & Privacy and select the General tab. Look at the section “Allow apps downloaded from:” and see if the app you just attempted to open is listed with a button “Open Anyway.” If so, click this button to open that app. Be aware that the “Open Anyway” button is only available for around 1 hour after you first try to open the app.
macOS takes note of that app and developer and add it to the operating system’s list of identified developers (for this mac only.) If you ever download another app from this same developer, macOS checks this internal list. If the developer is listed, macOS open any app from that developer.
About the Unidentified Warning Message
When you open an app that is not registered with Apple by an identified developer, you see a warning message box. Seeing this message does not mean there’s something wrong with that particular app. Developers wrote many of these unidentified apps before developer ID registration began. And others choose not to register for various reasons from cost (Apple charges a yearly developer fee) to conviction.
The unidentified developer warning means that the app you want to open has not been reviewed by Apple. Consequently, macOS is not able to check and verify if that app has been modified or broken since it was released.
Once you open an unidentified app, that app is saved as an exception to your security settings. From now on, you open it by double-clicking as normal.
Terminal Is At Your Command to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
Use Terminal to update our Security & Privacy options to include the checkbox allowing us to open apps downloaded from anywhere. And it’s actually pretty simple to make this modification.
Although simple, for the average mac user this step is not recommended . Before you download and open an app that Apple does not currently recognize or identify, make sure you (or your company) fully trust the app’s source and its validity. Modifying this security setting puts your computer at potential risk and makes your mac more vulnerable to some malware and other malicious junkware. So, proceed with caution and double (or triple) check the trust factor of any app before downloading and opening.
Allow and Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
- Quit System Preferences and all open applications
- Open Terminal
- Located in /Applications/Utilities/ folder
- Type in sudo spctl –master-disable
- Press Return
- Type your admin password to confirm
- Open System Preferences>Security & Privacy
- Select General Tab
- Verfiy that “Allow apps downloaded from:” now shows “Anywhere” as an option
Now, you are able to install and open apps downloaded from anywhere under macOS Sierra. Using this command turns Gatekeeper off and allows apps from anywhere including unidentified developers. Apple issues warnings that these unidentified developer (unsigned) apps possibly make your mac more vulnerable to malware and junkware.
Reverse to Original macOS App Settings
To go back to the macOS default settings, repeat the steps above substituting step 3 with enableinstead of disable at the end of the command.
So step 3 reads like this:
sudo spctl –master-enable
This returns macOS Gatekeeper back to its strict default and disallows unsigned apps from downloading and opening.
Checking the status of Gatekeeper
To check the status of Gatekeeper on your mac without opening System Preferences, it’s as simple as one command. Open Terminal and type the following command: spctl –status. Then press the return key. And you get a response of either “assessments enabled,” meaning Gatekeeper is ON and ACTIVE. Or you see “disabled,” meaning Gatekeeper is OFF and INACTIVE.
A Word For the Wise
When you receive the message “app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer,” take a close look at that app and ensure that you trust its source before downloading and opening. This warning is there to protect your computer and you from harm and malware, so don’t just simply ignore it. Be mindful and careful when downloading apps not currently offered on the mac app store.
With that said, there are a host of wonderful third party apps that are not currently offered in the mac app store. Many of these apps are under review and not yet accepted. Still others do not seek approval based on conviction and values. So don’t discount a good app just because it’s not offered in the mac app store. Do your research and check out an app’s source before deciding to download or not. Think of great apps like NeoOffice that for the longest time wasn’t available on the mac app store but now is!
For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!
Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.
Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.
Related Posts:
In recent software updates, Apple has included more stringent security measures in its OS with the goal of better protecting your Mac from malware. While this gives you an added layer of protection, it also makes it more difficult to open applications that Apple is not familiar with (such as those not in the App Store or those created by unidentified developers).
While it may be tricky, opening these apps is possible. Here, we’ll explain the reasoning behind Apple’s enhanced security, show you how to allow any and all apps on your Mac, and even briefly discuss keeping yourself safe from malware.
What does it mean to be able to download apps from anywhere?
Apple puts many safety measures in place in order to reduce users’ chances of being infected by viruses and other forms of malware. This is why Apple is known as a “closed platform”: It’s strict about what apps it allows to be easily downloaded onto and accessed from Apple devices.
The apps you can download onto an Apple device are generally limited to those that can be found in the App Store because they’re seen as more secure — they’re created by developers that Apple trusts and have been checked by Apple for malware.
In order to check an app’s safety, Apple uses a software called Gatekeeper.
Gatekeeper is Apple’s program that recognizes whether an app has been downloaded from the App Store. This program warns you when you’ve downloaded and attempted to run software from another location for the first time.
Downloading apps from anywhere, then, means accessing and using apps that either:
Mac Allow Apps Downloaded From Anywhere Not Showing
- Don’t come from the App store
- Were created by unidentified developers
It’s a good idea to know how to download and access these kinds of applications. So many of the great apps out there simply aren’t available on the App Store. This is a crucial skill for those who rely on apps that aren’t necessarily meant for Macs (such as Microsoft software), as well as those who have recently begun using Apple devices and want to be able to use non-iOS/macOS apps.
Luckily, your Mac does allow you to download apps from anywhere — it just requires a few more steps.
How to download apps that aren’t on the App Store or come from unidentified developers
There are two main ways to give your Mac access to a broader range of apps:
- Set your Mac to allow you to open apps that aren’t from the App Store
- Set your Mac to allow apps from unidentified developers
Both of these methods consist of changing your Mac’s Security & Privacy settings to allow you to open apps that haven’t been checked by Gatekeeper. Once you’ve bypassed Gatekeeper, you’ll be able to download and run all the apps you’d like. (To learn how to do this, check out our piece on how to open apps from unidentified developers.)
How to download apps from anywhere
Before macOS Sierra, it was much easier to set your Mac to allow you to download apps from anywhere. You’d simply go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, then under Allow apps to be downloaded from, select Anywhere.
Since new updates to macOs, however, you’ll need to change a few more settings on your Mac in order to do so. Here’s how:
- Launch Terminal by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities or by locating it with Spotlight search (
[CMD] + [SPACE]
). - In Terminal, type the code
sudo spctl --master-disable
and hit Return. Enter your Mac’s password when prompted. - Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. At the bottom of the window, you’ll see multiple options under Allow apps to be downloaded from. Select Anywhere to allow your Mac to download any and all apps.
If you later decide that you’d like to return to your Mac’s default settings and no longer allow apps to be downloaded from anywhere, just follow these steps:
- Launch Terminal.
- Once it’s running, enter the code
sudo spctl --master-enable
You’ll no longer be able to select Anywhere.
After this is done, you will only be allowed to download apps from the App Store, unless you use the steps mentioned above to access apps from other locations.
How to open Mac apps bypassing Gatekeeper
There is another way to open restricted apps that many Mac users don’t know about.
- Open your Applications directory.
- Click Finder > Go > Applications.
- Now, Control + click on an app you’d like to open.
This way you can open apps no matter where they come from.
How many suspicious apps do you have?
You probably have downloaded apps from all kinds of sources. Some of them (especially, the dubious ones) may install additional components on top of their main functionality. Chances are, you wouldn’t even know.
Such invisible applications are sometimes called launch agents or daemons. They may stay in the background for years. Probably, you have a couple of those lurking on your Mac.
How to check your Mac for hidden background apps
To check it, you can run a free version of CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X itself comes from MacPaw, which is a popular Mac developer and its apps are notarized by Apple.
- So, download and install a free version of CleanMyMac X.
- Click on Optimization and choose Launch Agents
Allow App On Mac
You’ll see background apps you can disable in one click.
- In the same app, click on Malware Removal.
When it comes to finding suspicious apps and adware trojans, CleanMyMac X is way ahead of many other antiviruses.
CleanMyMac X will check your computer for all potentially unwanted apps (PUA) and all kinds of malware. It also helps you keep track of malware regularly with a real-time malware monitor.
A free version of CleanMyMac X is available here.
Is it safe to download apps from anywhere?
There’s no guarantee that apps downloaded from outside of the App Store will be safe. As these apps haven’t been vetted for security by Apple, it’s more difficult to confirm whether they’re safe and free of malware.
Because of this, you should be wary in changing your settings to allow apps downloaded from anywhere. Doing so leaves your Mac vulnerable malware and malicious software, as Gatekeeper won’t be able to check if the app downloaded is legitimate (or just malware disguised as the desired software).
The safety of your Mac, then, is in your hands. The best you can do to try to make sure that an app is safe to download is to look into its reviews and the experiences other users have had. Doing your due diligence can help you avoid using untrustworthy apps.
Downloading anti-virus software is another means of protection, as this software will check whether an app is safe for you. If, when researching all you can about an app, you decide you’d rather not download it, you can opt for a similar app with better reviews or one that is already in the App Store.