In recent software updates, Apple has included more stringent security measures in its Bone with the goal of better protecting your Mac from malware. While this gives yous an added layer of protection, it also makes it more hard to open applications that Apple is not familiar with (such as those not in the App Store or those created by unidentified developers).

While it may be catchy, opening these apps is possible. Here, we'll explain the reasoning behind Apple'southward enhanced security, evidence you how to permit any and all apps on your Mac, and even briefly discuss keeping yourself rubber from malware.

What does it hateful to be able to download apps from anywhere?

Apple tree puts many prophylactic measures in place in order to reduce users' chances of beingness infected past viruses and other forms of malware. This is why Apple is known as a "closed platform": It'southward strict about what apps it allows to exist easily downloaded onto and accessed from Apple devices.

The apps y'all can download onto an Apple device are by and large limited to those that can be found in the App Store because they're seen every bit more secure — they're created by developers that Apple trusts and accept been checked by Apple for malware.

In guild to check an app'southward rubber, Apple tree uses a software called Gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper is Apple's program that recognizes whether an app has been downloaded from the App Store. This programme warns y'all when you lot've downloaded and attempted to run software from another location for the kickoff time.

Downloading apps from anywhere, then, ways accessing and using apps that either:

  • Don't come up from the App store
  • Were created by unidentified developers

It's a good idea to know how to download and access these kinds of applications. So many of the swell apps out in that location merely aren't available on the App Shop. This is a crucial skill for those who rely on apps that aren't necessarily meant for Macs (such equally Microsoft software), likewise as those who accept recently begun using Apple devices and want to be able to use non-iOS/macOS apps.

Luckily, your Mac does let you to download apps from anywhere — it but requires a few more than steps.

How to download apps that aren't on the App Shop or come from unidentified developers

There are two main ways to give your Mac access to a broader range of apps:

  1. Gear up your Mac to allow you to open apps that aren't from the App Store
  2. Set your Mac to let apps from unidentified developers

Both of these methods consist of changing your Mac's Security & Privacy settings to let you to open up apps that haven't been checked by Gatekeeper. Once you've bypassed Gatekeeper, you'll be able to download and run all the apps yous'd like. (To learn how to do this, check out our slice on how to open apps from unidentified developers.)

How to download apps from anywhere

Earlier macOS Sierra, it was much easier to prepare your Mac to let you to download apps from anywhere. Yous'd but go to Organization Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, then under Allow apps to be downloaded from, select Anywhere.

Since new updates to macOs, however, you lot'll need to change a few more settings on your Mac in society to do and then. Here's how:

  • Launch Terminal by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities or past locating information technology with Spotlight search ([CMD] + [SPACE]).
  • In Terminal, type the code sudo spctl --master-disable and hit Return. Enter your Mac's password when prompted.
  • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. At the bottom of the window, you'll see multiple options nether Allow apps to be downloaded from. Select Anywhere to allow your Mac to download any and all apps.

If yous later decide that you'd like to render to your Mac'southward default settings and no longer allow apps to be downloaded from anywhere, but follow these steps:

  • Launch Final.
  • Once it'due south running, enter the lawmaking sudo spctl --primary-enable You'll no longer exist able to select Anywhere.

After this is done, yous will simply be allowed to download apps from the App Shop, unless you utilize the steps mentioned above to admission apps from other locations.

How to open up Mac apps bypassing Gatekeeper

There is another way to open restricted apps that many Mac users don't know most.

  1. Open up your Applications directory.
  2. Click Finder > Go > Applications.
  3. Now, Control + click on an app you lot'd like to open.


This way y'all can open apps no matter where they come from.

How many suspicious apps do you have?

You probably have downloaded apps from all kinds of sources. Some of them (especially, the dubious ones) may install additional components on top of their primary functionality. Chances are, y'all wouldn't even know.

Such invisible applications are sometimes chosen launch agents or daemons. They may stay in the background for years. Probably, y'all accept a couple of those lurking on your Mac.

How to check your Mac for subconscious background apps

To check information technology, you tin can run a free version of CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X itself comes from MacPaw, which is a popular Mac programmer and its apps are notarized by Apple tree.

  • And so, download and install a free version of CleanMyMac X.
  • Click on Optimization and choose Launch Agents

You'll see groundwork apps you tin disable in ane click.

  • In the same app, click on Malware Removal.

When it comes to finding suspicious apps and adware trojans, CleanMyMac X is way ahead of many other antiviruses.

CleanMyMac X will check your figurer for all potentially unwanted apps (PUA) and all kinds of malware. It besides helps y'all go on track of malware regularly with a real-fourth dimension malware monitor.

A free version of CleanMyMac X is available here.

Is it safe to download apps from anywhere?

There'south no guarantee that apps downloaded from outside of the App Store will be safe. Equally these apps haven't been vetted for security by Apple, it'due south more difficult to confirm whether they're safe and free of malware.

Because of this, y'all should be wary in changing your settings to allow apps downloaded from anywhere. Doing so leaves your Mac vulnerable malware and malicious software, as Gatekeeper won't exist able to bank check if the app downloaded is legitimate (or but malware disguised as the desired software).

The safety of your Mac, then, is in your hands. The best you tin do to try to brand sure that an app is safety to download is to look into its reviews and the experiences other users have had. Doing your due diligence can assist you lot avoid using untrustworthy apps.

Downloading anti-virus software is another means of protection, every bit this software will check whether an app is condom for y'all. If, when researching all you can most an app, you lot decide you'd rather not download it, you can opt for a similar app with better reviews or one that is already in the App Store.