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  2. How to fix a app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.

How to fix a app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.

james wei 2025-05-28 15:32:13
The message you're seeing usually appears on macOS when you're trying to open an application that either hasn't been downloaded from the Mac App Store or isn't from an identified developer.


The message you're seeing usually appears on macOS when you're trying to open an application that either hasn't been downloaded from the Mac App Store or isn't from an identified developer.

Here’s how you can fix this:

Method 1: Use System Preferences

  1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen, then select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" in earlier versions).

  2. Navigate to Privacy & Security: In the System Settings window, find and click on "Privacy & Security". This section is where you manage security settings for your Mac.

  3. Check the General Tab: Make sure you are in the "General" tab within Privacy & Security. Scroll down until you see a section labeled "Allow apps downloaded from".

  4. Change App Download Settings:

    • You will see three options: "App Store", "App Store and identified developers", and "Anywhere". The default setting is usually "App Store".
    • If you want to run apps from unidentified developers, choose "App Store and identified developers". If you select this option, macOS will warn you before opening any app from unidentified developers, but it will allow you to proceed.
    • The "Anywhere" option allows you to open any app, regardless of its source. However, this setting might not be available directly in newer versions of macOS due to security reasons. If you need this level of flexibility, you may have to use the Terminal command to enable it.

  5. Open the App Again: After changing these settings, try opening the app again. If you chose "App Store and identified developers", and if the app is from an unidentified developer, you might get a warning. You can bypass this by right-clicking (or Control-click) on the app icon, then selecting "Open", and confirming that you want to open the app despite the warning.

  6. Consider Safety: Remember, downloading and opening apps from outside the App Store or trusted developers can pose a security risk. Always ensure the source is trustworthy to avoid malware.

Method 2: Temporarily Allow All Apps (Advanced)

⚠️ Use this only if the app isn’t listed in Method 1 and you trust the source.

  1. Open Terminal (search via Spotlight: Cmd + Space, type Terminal).
  2. Run this command to unlock hidden settings:
    sudo spctl --master-disable
  3. Enter your admin password when prompted.
  4. Return to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Security.
  5. Under "Allow apps downloaded from:", select Anywhere.
  6. Open the app, then revert the setting to App Store and identified developers for safety.

Method 3: Remove Quarantine Attribute (Terminal)

For apps flagged as downloaded from the internet:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Run:
    sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /path/to/app.app
    Replace /path/to/app.app with the app’s actual path (e.g., ~/Downloads/MyApp.app).

Important Notes

  • Security Risk: Only allow apps from developers you trust.
  • Notarization: If the app is notarized by Apple (common for reputable software), macOS may automatically allow it after confirmation.
  • Revert Settings: After opening the app, restore security settings to App Store and identified developers (Method 2, Step 5) to maintain protection.

If you continue to face issues, make sure your macOS is up-to-date and consider reaching out to the app's support team for further assistance.
Let me know if you need further clarification! 🖥️

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