If you have downloaded it but cannot get it to open because your computer doesn't allow software from unauthorized developers, go to Downloads in Finder. Right-click your software and press open. Put in your admin password.

By Tasnia Salinas, on November 12, 2020, in Mac Uninstaller| SOLVED

Summary: Trying to install an app on macOS Big Sur but get an error message saying XXX app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. Check this complete macOS Big Sur Problem troubleshooting article.

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User feedback: I'm trying to open a .pkg package from Skype for passcode management on macOS Big Sur. When I go to open the package it tell me: 'Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.' I've checked in System Preferences but can't figure it out. Any help is appreciated.

Mac App Cannot Be Opened Unidentified Developer Mode

Other Affected Apps:

Open File From Unidentified Developer

Diagnosis: Modern macOS, like Mojave and Big Sur, includes a technology called Gatekeeper, which is built to help you safely open apps on your Mac. For sure Apple App Store is the best place to get software applications, but in many cases, you'll need to download and install apps out of the store. To distribute apps without App Store, it requires the developer to have valid Apple Developer ID and get their apps notarized. Otherwise, it has large chance that they'll get the following error: 'XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.'

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Keep it in mind that, by bypassing this Apple gateway protection method, you may expose your computer and personal information to malware (Check Malware App List on macOS) that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. So make sure that this app you want to install on macOS Big Sur is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with. You can temporarily override your Mac security settings so as to run this software that hasn’t been signed and notarized (Learn How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Big Sur).

1. Step 1:

   In macOS Big Sur (or macOS Mojave), to open an app that fails to be opened because it hasn't been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy:

2. Step 2:

   Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.

3. Optional Method:

   An alternative method to bypass this error is to click on the “Show in Finder” button > Go to 'Applications' folder to locate the app > Control click or right click on the application file and choose 'Open' option.

4. Optional Method:

   You will get a similar error message for malicious software checking like below. However, this time you will see an additional 'Open' button.

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One more side note is that, Apple designed this Gateway method is for protecting your Mac from malicious malware. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer (Uninstall Program on Mac). It also requires software to be notarized. To open apps safely on macOS Big Sur, consider these following tips.

General Tips for Open Apps Safely on macOS Big Sur:

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Still get stuck by error: 'XXX App can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software'? Here is an alternative method that can fix this issue. In the Finder > Control-click the app DMG/PKG file > choose Open from the menu, and in the dialog that appears, click Open. Enter your admin name and password when prompted. Have other macOS Big Sur app not working issue? Try Omni Remover >

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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

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.

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.

Mac App Cannot Be Opened Unidentified Developer Failed

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.