To open an app from an unidentified developer on macOS, first attempt to open it normally, which triggers a security warning; 2. Then go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway” under the security message for the app; 3. Confirm by clicking Open in the dialog that appears, after which the app will launch and be allowed in the future; 4. If “Open Anyway” doesn’t appear, right-click the app in Finder and choose Open to prompt the system to display the option; 5. This method safely overrides Gatekeeper for trusted apps without disabling system-wide security, ensuring continued protection against potential threats.

On macOS, apps from unidentified developers are blocked by default for security reasons. But if you trust a specific app from a developer not recognized by Apple, you can allow it to run. Here's how.

Why the Block Happens

macOS uses a security feature called Gatekeeper to ensure only trusted apps are installed. Apps from the Mac App Store and identified developers (those with an Apple-issued developer certificate) are automatically allowed. If an app comes from someone without this certification, macOS blocks it and shows a message like “App is damaged and can’t be opened” or “Can’t be opened because it’s from an unidentified developer.”

How to Open an App from an Unidentified Developer

It’s not about globally disabling security — instead, macOS lets you override the block on a per-app basis.

1. Try to open the app first
   Double-click the app as usual. You’ll likely see a warning dialog saying the app can’t be opened because it’s from an unidentified developer.

2. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security
   Click the Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security (on older macOS versions, this is System Preferences).

   

3. Look for the “Open Anyway” option
   Under the Security section, you should see a message like:
   “The app [AppName] was blocked from opening because it is from an unidentified developer.”
   Next to it, click Open Anyway.

4. Confirm the action
   A dialog will appear asking if you’re sure you want to open the app. Click Open. The app will launch, and macOS will now remember your choice.

After this, the app should open normally in the future.

What If “Open Anyway” Doesn’t Appear?

Sometimes the option doesn’t show up right away. Try this:

• Right-click (or Control-click) the app in Finder.
• Choose Open from the context menu.
• A dialog will appear with an Open button — click it.
• This triggers the system to log the attempt, and then the “Open Anyway” option usually appears in Privacy & Security.

Important Notes

• You don’t need to disable Gatekeeper or use Terminal commands in most cases — doing so reduces your security.
• Only bypass this for apps you trust. Malware often disguises itself as useful tools from unknown sources.
• If the app still won’t open or crashes, it may be incompatible with your macOS version or actually damaged.

Basically, macOS gives you a safe way to run unverified apps without lowering your overall protection. Just use the “Open Anyway” option after an initial blocked attempt.

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