In macOS Sequoia , Apple has added another stumble block to launching software package that has not gone through Apple ’s baseline vetting process for apps . Generally , this can be a good matter , preventing uninstructed users from accidentally set up malware or privateness - invading software . However , for users who rely on software create by people who do n’t work within the lines painted by Apple and its App Store , here ’s what you call for to know .

TheGatekeeper feature in macOSis something you never see call by that name . It ’s designed to secure that only certain apps can take to the woods on your Mac , even though macOS can execute any correctly fabricate software for the political platform . The only visible control is inSystem preferences > Privacy & Security > Security , where you’re able to choose one of two options from the “ Allow applications from ” computer menu : App Store , or App Store & Known Developers . ( See : How to open a Mac app from an nameless developer ) . You used to be able to override Gatekeeper by press Control - mouse click while opening an app , but that has been disabled .

There ’s a third class that Apple eliminated from this list in macOS years ago . ( The fare used to appear as receiving set clitoris in a different System Preferences dot . ) Those are apps where the computer programmer chose not to bear the annual fee for an Apple Developer account , or they have such an account but did n’t draw the app through a vetting organisation Apple use that ’s a big step below the App Store ’s review process .

Sequoia malware warning

Sequoia has no Finder bypass for unsigned apps—click Done.

When a developer submits an app to an App Store , Apple uses a combining of reflex and human recapitulation to check that the app does n’t hold malware ( compose by the developer or included in software code from third party ) and that it more or less does what it says it does without being deceptive . That process is full of human error and inconsistencies , but it has mostly conduct to safe apps in the App Store , even if some are scammy in their pricing aim or misleading about how useful they are .

mackintosh developer who want to eject their software directly , either bypass the App Store or having a separate interlingual rendition , can choose a less - intensive pathway . Apple go forth every developer a unique digital certificate ( a parcel of cryptographical information ) . A developer creates their app and “ signs ” it with the certificate , which ensures it ca n’t be change later , as the touch can be gibe . The developer relegate the app to Apple for “ notarization , ” a term Apple use to cover scanning the app for malware and any signing or other technological issue . If it passes , Apple attaches its own imprimatur to the app and adds an online criminal record that can be checked by macOS . When a notarized app is launched and hybridize - check with Apple ’s online records , it adjoin the criteria for being from a Known Developer and — if your Mac is set to App Store & Known Developers — it launches , though with a admonition about being download from the cyberspace . ( Notarization was optional at one dot , made required in 2020 ; all apps released since then that are n’t notarized ca n’t launch without the next steps . )

Some developers prefer not to charter in that whole step . They do n’t desire to yield the annual developer fee , have Apple skim their code , or do n’t want Apple to have a say - so on whether their software can run . I ’ve establish fewer over the years , but they still exist and generally come from specialized donnish and research fields . They can still launch on your Mac , with the steps below .

Sequoia open anyway

In System Settings, you can choose to open an unsigned app despite Apple’s warning.

Sequoia has no Finder bypass for unsigned apps — click Done .

Foundry

In System options , you could choose to open an unsigned app despite Apple ’s warning .

Here ’s what to do to establish such an app in Sequoia :

I urge you to keep to exercise a gamey story of watchfulness around unsigned and unnotarized apps as you only rely on the developer to protect your security and secrecy . However , few apps like that have enough reach that any malware practician would have an pastime in exploiting a weakness .

If you ca n’t afford the apps you demand in Sequoia you could revert back , read : How to downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma .

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