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macOS checks apps downloaded from outside the App Store to help determine who made them, whether they have been altered, and—on macOS Catalina and later—whether they have been notarized. If an app triggers a warning, first identify which warning it is: Apple’s “cannot check” message is different from an alert that says an app will damage your computer. Only consider Apple’s per-app “Open Anyway” exception for an app you have independently confirmed is trustworthy and unmodified. Do not use it to bypass a malware warning.
Why macOS checks downloaded apps
Gatekeeper helps protect your Mac when you open software obtained outside the App Store. Apple says macOS checks Developer ID signatures on apps, plug-ins, and installer packages to verify the developer and whether the software has been altered. On macOS Catalina and later, downloaded software must also be notarized by Apple. When you first open downloaded software, macOS asks you to approve it. Apple explains these checks and alerts in its Mac security guidance.
These checks are designed to assess trust and detect known problems; they do not make every app safe. Apple describes the system this way: “macOS has been designed to keep you and your data safe while respecting your privacy.”
What the warning means—and what to do
| Warning situation | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| macOS asks you to approve a new app from the internet | The app is from an identified developer and macOS is asking for first-open approval. | Proceed only if you intended to open that app and trust its source. Apple’s guidance. |
| “Apple cannot check [app] for malicious software” | Apple could not check the app for malicious software. This is not the same as a confirmed malware detection. | Contact the developer, look for an updated App Store version, or choose an alternative. Consider an exception only if you are certain the app came from a trustworthy source and has not been tampered with. Apple’s guidance. |
| Developer cannot be verified or the app is not notarized | macOS cannot verify that the app is free of malware. | Prefer an App Store version or another app. Only consider an exception if you trust the source and know the app has not been altered. Apple’s guidance. |
| “[App] will damage your computer,” or macOS reports known malware | macOS detected malicious content or revoked authorization; known malware may be blocked and moved to Trash. | Do not override the alert. Obtain a clean version from the developer or use an alternative. Apple’s guidance. |
| “[App] is damaged” | The app could be broken, corrupted, modified, or tampered with. | Get a clean copy from a trusted source or contact the developer. Apple’s guidance. |
How to open an app Apple cannot check
Use this only for an unchecked or unidentified-developer warning, and only after verifying the app’s source and integrity. Apple warns: “Overriding security settings to open an app is the most common way that a Mac gets infected with malware.” Apple’s Mac User Guide explains the risk and exception process.
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- Try opening the app. This records the warning macOS will use to offer the per-app exception.
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- In the Security section, select Open Anyway. Review the renewed warning and continue only if you remain certain the app is trustworthy and unmodified. macOS may ask for your password. Apple’s User Guide says this option is available for about an hour after the opening attempt. See Apple’s instructions.
- Confirm the exception only if you accept the risk. Apple says the app is saved as an exception, so you can open it again by double-clicking it. Apple’s support guidance.
Exact labels and screen locations can vary by macOS version. If the Mac is managed by an administrator or IT department, some “Allow apps downloaded from” controls may be unavailable. Apple describes those broader choices as App Store only, or App Store and identified developers. Check Apple’s current instructions.
When not to use Open Anyway
Do not treat a malware detection or “will damage your computer” alert as an ordinary unidentified-developer warning. An exception for an unchecked app is not a way to clear a malware finding, and overriding a warning does not establish that an app is safe. If macOS reports known malware or revoked authorization, stop and use a clean copy from the developer or choose another app. If the app is merely one Apple cannot check, Apple recommends contacting its developer and looking for an App Store update or alternative before considering an exception. Apple’s Mac User Guide also advises choosing an alternative when possible.
Quick Recap
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