Cannot Be Opened Because It Is from an Unidentified Developer

Imagine downloading a new app, being excited to try it out, but getting stopped by a message saying that this app is from an unidentified developer, so you can’t open it. What’s behind this frustrating experience? It might be Apple’s Gatekeeper: this macOS technology is great for keeping your device safe from harmful software, but sometimes it can get overly cautious and block reliable apps created by smaller developers. Sound familiar?

Fortunately for you, our team has prepared a guide that explains how to allow apps from unidentified developers on Mac and return access to apps you want to open even if they’re blocked. Follow the steps outlined in our article below to bypass this hurdle safely and keep your Mac optimized for peak performance.

Before we start:

 

Though app restrictions can be irritating, it's still important to keep your Mac secure. MacKeeper’s Antivirus is designed with Apple users in mind, offering high-quality anti-malware protection for cases when you download apps from small but reliable market players.

 

To protect your Mac with MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

1. Download, install, and open MacKeeper on your Mac or MacBook.
2. Locate Antivirus under the Security section.
3. Click Start Scan to begin.
4. Review the detected threats after the scan completes.
5. Select threats to quarantine.
6. Restart your Mac and permanently delete threats.

Why are you getting a message that an app can't be opened because it's from unknown developer

macOS displays the "App cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer" error to protect users like you from launching unverified apps that may contain malware. Specifically, it’s Apple's Gatekeeper feature that blocks apps without proper certification, ensuring safety against potentially harmful software.

How to allow apps from unidentified developers on Mac

Follow these steps to open an app from the unidentified developer on Mac and feel safe about their app:

1. Open System Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security.
2. Under Allow apps downloaded from, select App Store and identified developers.
3. Try to open your app and click Open Anyway for blocked apps to override restrictions.

1. Open an unidentified app via control click

In case you don’t have permission to open the application, the following method is quick and straightforward. It bypasses Gatekeeper for individual apps without altering your overall security settings. Based on our tests, we can recommend this if you need to fix the "Cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” issue quickly and feel confident about an app’s source. It creates an exception for that app, so you don’t need to repeat the process next time.

Here are the steps to open an unidentified app:

1. Locate the app in your Applications folder or wherever you saved it.
2. Press Control on your keyboard and click the app.
3. Select Open from the dropdown menu.
4. Confirm by clicking Open again in the warning dialogue box (if it pops up).

2. Remove extended file attributes

Now you know that an app you download from the internet cannot be opened because it’s from an unidentified developer. That’s how the Apple ecosystem works. But if you really need to open a particular app, we recommend removing file attributes and clearing the quarantine flag that macOS applies to downloaded files. This is what Gatekeeper uses to block apps.

Important: 

 

Messages like macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware are a common reason for these blocks. Our experts suggest using this option if other methods don’t work, but make sure the app is definitely safe first as this approach turns off macOS warnings for this file.

To remove extended file attributes:

1. Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder.
2. Type xattr, then drag the app into Terminal to check for quarantine attributes.
3. If flagged, type the command: sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine [file_path].
4. Drag and drop the app file into Terminal to complete the command.
5. Enter your administrator password when prompted, then press Enter.

3. Click “open anyway” in Privacy & Security

Using the “Open Anyway” option in Privacy & Security is one of our favorite ways to handle blocked apps if you definitely trust them. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require any technical knowledge. Still, it’s worth remembering that it only works for a short period after trying to open the app.

We’ll remind you of how to use the “Open Anyway” option:

1. Go to System Preferences via the Apple menu.
2. Click Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu.
3. Find the app listed under the Security section, which says it was blocked.
4. Click Open Anyway next to the app’s name.
5. Confirm by selecting Open in the pop-up dialogue box.

4. Allow apps from anywhere

Allowing apps from anywhere disables Gatekeeper entirely, meaning your Mac will no longer block apps based on their developer status. We only recommend this method as a temporary fix and for advanced users who understand the risks.

To allow apps from anywhere:

1. Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder.
2. Type the command: sudo spctl --master-disable, then press Enter.
3. Enter your administrator password, then press Enter again.
4. Go to System Preferences > Privacy & Security.
5. Tick App Store and identified developers under the Allow apps downloaded from section.

A helpful suggestion from our team: 

 

Annoyed by unnecessary pop-ups while managing app permissions? Adjusting your browser settings can block pop-ups on Mac, giving you a smoother experience as you focus on allowing downloaded apps to run safely. A small tweak can save you time and frustration.

Best practices for avoiding unidentified developer issues

Preventing the "unidentified developer" message is simpler than dealing with its consequences. Follow our recommendations to safeguard your macOS experience:

• Regularly update macOS to maintain compatibility with trusted apps and minimize security warnings.
• Use only reputable sources for downloads, such as the App Store or verified developer websites.
• Check user reviews and community forums to verify the authenticity of new software.
• Monitor suspicious processes using Activity Monitor to identify potential unverified apps.
• Enable Gatekeepers' intermediate settings to provide a balanced approach to security and usability.
• Employ comprehensive tools like MacKeeper’s Antivirus to monitor system integrity and block threats.

By adopting the measures above, you can significantly improve security and enjoy a hassle-free macOS experience.

Conclusion

Encountering the “cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” message can be frustrating, but understanding how to bypass it safely empowers you to manage your Mac confidently. From control-clicking to advanced solutions like removing file attributes or enabling “Open Anyway,”, the methods we’ve discussed in this article allow you to open trusted apps while keeping security intact.

For next-level protection, consider using MacKeeper’s Antivirus. It goes beyond standard antivirus features by offering 24/7 real-time protection, which is your shield against threats when you need to download and use trusted unidentified software.

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

1. Open MacKeeper and click Antivirus in the Security section.
2. Start a scan by clicking Start Scan, review threats and quarantine or delete them (if any are found).

MacKeeper keeps your Mac running smoothly and securely, giving you peace of mind and ensuring it's always ready for what you need. Try it yourself now.