Change security settings to allow app downloads mac

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By continuing to use this site, you agree to our cookie policy. Here's how. Igor Degtiarenko. Writer and blogger at MacPaw, curious just about everything.

Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe Now. April 16, Updated: September 13, CleanMyMac X. Free Download. These might also interest you:. February 05, May 13, May 29, November 11, So if your Mac is ever misplaced or lost, the only person who can erase and reactivate it is you. Skip to content. What is Gatekeeper? Significant changes have arrived with macOS Catalina. On Finder, click Go. Select Utilities. Double-click Terminal. Type of the following command syntax: sudo spctl --master-disable.

Hit Return Authenticate with an admin password. Hit Return. Exit Terminal. Changing your settings Now, it's time to allow your Mac to open any app. Click on System Preferences on your Mac Dock. Tap the lock at the bottom left of the screen.

Enter your password to unlock Security and Privacy. Choose the Anywhere under Allow apps downloaded from. Prior to making the change, this option wasn't available. Click the unlocked lock to keep the change. Restoring to the original setting If you'd like to return to the default Gatekeeper settings, perform these steps: Be sure to exit System Preferences on your Mac. Type of the following command syntax: sudo spctl --master-enable.

When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered. By default, macOS Catalina and later also requires software to be notarized, so you can be confident that the software you run on your Mac doesn't contain known malware.

The warning messages displayed below are examples, and it's possible that you could see a similar message that isn't displayed here. Please use caution if you choose to install any software for which your Mac displays an alert.

By default, the security and privacy preferences of your Mac are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. For additional security, you can chose to allow only apps from the App Store.

Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. An app that has been notarized by Apple indicates that Apple checked it for malicious software and none was detected. If you have set your Mac to allow apps only from the App Store and you try to install an app from elsewhere, your Mac will say that the app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.