How to Open Apps from Unknown Developers on Mac

macOS has a built-in feature called “Gatekeeper”. The function of this feature is to lock the Mac so that it can only run applications that have been approved by Apple. But even so you can still use any application you want.

Gatekeeper works in slightly different ways in each version of macOS. Older versions can be disabled with a tap of a button.

But if you’re using macOS Sierra or later, you’ll need a few steps to actually be able to open apps from developers that Apple doesn’t recognize.

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How Gatekeeper Works on macOS

Every time you open a newly installed application on macOS, Gatekeeper will check whether the application has a valid signature or not. If the app has a valid signature, it can run.

Otherwise, you’ll see a window displaying a warning that your Mac can’t run the app.

But unfortunately not all apps are signed, especially old apps, even though they are trusted apps. Maybe the app hasn’t been updated in a while, or the developer didn’t care to sign the app.

That’s why Apple allows us to bypass Gatekeeper and keep running apps from unidentified developers.

Gatekeeper divides the application into three parts, namely:

• Apps from the Mac App Store: All applications that you install from the Mac App Store can be categorized as safe applications. Because all these applications have been curated and checked directly by Apple.
• Apps from Recognized Developers: Mac application developers can obtain a unique developer ID from Apple and use it to sign their applications. This digital signature ensures that an application was actually created by a specific developer. For example, when you install Google Chrome on your Mac, the app is signed by Google’s developer ID so Apple allows the app to run. If evidence is found that the developer misused the developer ID–or a hacker misused it to sign malicious apps–the developer ID could be revoked. This way, Gatekeeper can ensure that only apps created by legitimate developers who have had a hard time getting a developer ID and are reputable can run on your computer.
• Apps from Unknown Developers: Apps not obtained from the Mac App Store and not signed using an Apple developer ID fall into this category. Apple considers apps in this category to be less secure, but that doesn’t mean they’re untrusted. Many Mac apps unsigned developer ID but still trusted.

The default setting from Apple is to only get apps from the Mac App Store and those that are signed using a developer ID can run on a Mac. This setting increases the security of your Mac, especially from malicious applications that are widely scattered on the internet.

How to Open Apps from Unknown Developers on Mac

If you try to open an unsigned app by double-clicking it, it won’t open. You will see a small window with a warning: “[nama aplikasi] can’t be opened because Apple can’t check it for malicious software.”

Just tap the button Show in Finder in the warning window.

Next Finder will open and display the application folder. Navigate mouse on the application you want to open, right click then select Open.

Once again you will see a small window warning that this application is from an unknown source but with several different button options. Click button Open.

Another small window will appear where you will be asked to enter your Mac password. Please enter the password then tap the button Always Allow.

Now the application will open.

Gatekeeper will remember these settings in different apps, and you don’t have to do the above again every time you open the same app. You only need to do the above steps every time you want to run another newly installed application (unsigned application).

Reference: https://www.howtogeek.com/205393/gatekeeper-101-why-your-mac-only-allows-apple-approved-software-by-default/

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