To open an unsigned app, you need to right-click or Control-click the app and select “Open”. This works on macOS Sierra as well as previous versions of macOS. You’ll be warned that the app is from an unidentified developer–in other words, it isn’t signed with a valid developer signature. If you trust the app, click “Open” to run it. Alternatively, to override your security settings and open the app anyway: In the Finder, locate the app you want to open. Note: Don’t use Launchpad to do this. Launchpad doesn’t allow you to access the shortcut menu. Press the Control (CTRL) key, then click the app icon. Choose Open from the shortcut menu.
Encountering error message stating application can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer, how to fix?
Apple products, such as Mac computers and mobile devices (iPhones, iPads, etc.), are generally known to be secure and stable devices. This is one of the main advantages of these products as compared to other operating systems or manufacturers. This high level of protection might also impose some restrictions. An example is attempting to install or launch an application on a Mac computer that was developed by unidentified developer.
Due to a built-in security tool that checks the identity of application developers, installation or launch of this type of software becomes impossible - an error message appears stating that the application cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer. This situation is caused by a built-in tool called Gatekeeper, however, Apple also provide options to access these apps manually. Bear in mind, that many applications developed by unidentified programmers hide malware or other types of viruses, so by installing or launching these applications, your computer is at risk of infection. If, however, you are confident that the application you are trying to access is safe, follow the guide below where we describe various methods to install or launch applications created by unidentified developers.
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Open an application created by unidentified developer
If you have a trusted application from an unidentified developer, but cannot access it due to Gatekeeper, this method describes how to grant access to it. Begin by entering the actions menu, hold down the Control key on the keyboard and click the icon (or simply right-click it), and then choose Open from the list. A warning message asking to confirm your actions will appear - this is to ensure you wish to open an application created by an unidentified developer. Click open. 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.
Allow access to all applications created by an unidentified developer
If you are confident about your security and seeking to access all applications by an unidentified developer, this step shows how to disable Gatekeeper on the Mac. To begin, open Mac System Preferences by clicking on Apple logo the menu bar at top of your screen, and then selecting System Preferences. Open the Security & Privacy pane and choose the General tab. Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window to grant access to adjust preferences. Locate the 'Allow applications downloaded from' option and select the last option named 'Anywhere'. A new warning message will pop up - select Allow From Anywhere. From this point, the Mac's Gatekeeper will stop blocking applications created by unidentified developers.
Allow apps from anywhere on macOS Sierra
The release of the macOS Sierra built-in protection tool called Gatekeeper resulted in more restrictions in the way applications created by unidentified developers are accessed. The 'allow from anywhere' option is hidden by default, however, the built-in command line application can easily resolve this issue.
To start, close System Preferences and open Terminal via Spotlight by pressing the keyboard shortcut of Command and Spacebar, Then type Terminal and press return, or go to Applications, and then Utilities folder via Finder. Once Terminal launches, type the following command and press return.
- sudo spctl --master-disable
The command line will ask you to confirm your actions with an administrator account password (since sudo uses super user permissions).
Open Mac System Preferences, choose the Security & Privacy pane, and select the General tab. Click the lock in the bottom left corner of the window - you will then see an Anywhere option beneath the 'Allow apps downloaded from' line. Select this option and agree with all warning messages. From this point, you will be able to launch applications created by unidentified developers, however, as mentioned above, express caution when opening this type of application. If your computer is used by a number of different users, leaving this option enabled is not recommended.
To revert the changes and re-enable the built-in Gatekeeper tool, disable the Anywhere option by selecting one of the other two: 'App Store' or 'App Store and identified developers'. If you wish to return everything to the default state, simply open Terminal, type the following command, and press Return.
- sudo spctl --master-enable
You will be asked to confirm your actions with an administrator password.
Video Showing how to open applications from unidentified developers on a Mac
If you are trying to launch an application, which is not installed from App Store and the developer of the application is unidentified, then you may get an alert saying “[App name] can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”. This security feature in Mac OS X is called GateKeeper, which by default blocks all the applications which are not from a verified source or from App Store.
Fix “can’t be open because it is from an unidentified developer” for a particular application without altering security settings
If you want to add exception for a particular application without changing GateKeeper’s security settings, follow the steps below.
1. Here we have tried to launch “Open Office” and we got below error.
“OpenOffice” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer
How To Open App From Unidentified Developer On Mac Ios
2. To fix this, navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
3. There you can see below message “OpenOffice” was blocked from opening because it is not from an identified developer. Click on “Open Anyway” button, followed by “Open” in pop up. That’s it.
Now on you will able to launch this particular application (Here it’s OpenOffice) without any issue. Mac OS X will remember this exception for this particular application. But as default security settings of GateKeeper has not been altered, you will have to perform the same steps again if you get this issue for another application with unidentified developer.
You can also do the same by control-clicking (right click) on the particular application logo and then select “Open” option followed by again “Open” option to launch it anyway.
How To Open App From Unidentified Developer On Mac High Sierra
Permanent fix for all applications from unidentified developer
For doing this you have to alter security settings in your Mac OS X, which is not a good idea as it will make your Mac less secure. Instead of doing this it’s alway recommended to allow individual applications as stated above. For permanent fix for all applications from unidentified developer follow the steps below:
1. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Click the lock to make changes and enter your account password to verify.
Open App From Unidentified Developer Mac High Sierra
2. Now set the radio button to Anywhere followed by Allow from Anywhere. This settings will be reset automatically if you don’t use this feature for 30 days.