Apple would prefer you to only download approved apps from the App Store, but that isn’t always possible. If you find a suitable app online that hasn’t been approved for installation, macOS will block it from launching. This security feature is well-intended, but you’ll need to bypass it to install some of your own third-party apps.
Thankfully, it’s a pretty easy process to run unverified apps on a Mac. Before we begin, remember that this security measure exists for a reason. Only consider installing apps from sources you trust, or you may put your Mac at risk, even with Mac antivirus software installed.
Allow Unverified Apps In System Preferences
When you first attempt to open an app from an unverified developer, Apple will block it, displaying an alert box instead. macOS will always prevent apps it doesn’t recognize from launching without your approval.
- It’s also possible that your macOS security settings prevent any apps from being launched that aren’t from the App Store. This includes apps from verified developers that have been downloaded from the internet directly.
- If you’re unable to launch an unverified app (or a verified app that isn’t from the App Store), you’ll need to head to System Preferences. You can access this from your Dock directly, or launch it from within Launchpad.
- In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy > General, then click the Lock button to allow you to make changes to your settings. You’ll need to provide your password, or use Touch ID, to unlock this.
- If your app is from a verified developer but it isn’t from the App Store, under the category named Allow apps downloaded from, select App Store and identified developers.
- The last app you attempted to open will be listed underneath your App Store security options. To launch the app (or rather, the DMG image file containing your app), click Open Anyway.
- You’ll need to do this for each unverified app you launch, as Apple removed the option to automatically allow this in an earlier version of macOS. You’ll only need to do this for a particular app once, however.
- If you’ve clicked Open Anyway, the DMG image file containing your unverified app will launch. Most DMG files contain your enclosed application file, as well as a shortcut to your Applications folder.
- To install this unverified app, drag your app icon and drop it on the Applications shortcut in your Finder window. This will copy the app from your DMG image file to your macOS installation, allowing it to be accessed from Launchpad or from within the Applications folder in Finder.
- Once installed, if you haven’t previously opened the app, macOS will warn you that you’re attempting to open an app from the internet. You’ll need to approve it for launch, so click the Open button to do this.
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