How to Set Up macOS Gatekeeper to Only Install Apps from Trusted Developers

General IT KB-1051

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Set Up macOS Gatekeeper to Only Install Apps from Trusted Developers. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

macOS Gatekeeper is a built-in security feature designed to protect your Mac from malicious software. By configuring Gatekeeper to only allow apps from trusted developers, you reduce the risk of installing malware or unverified software on your business device.

For macOS Ventura and Later

Click the Apple menu () and choose System Settings.
In the sidebar, click Privacy & Security.
Scroll down to the Security section.
Beside "Allow applications downloaded from", select App Store and identified developers.
If the setting is greyed out, click the Lock icon at the bottom of the window and enter your administrator password or use Touch ID to unlock it.

For macOS Monterey and Earlier

Click the Apple menu () and choose System Preferences.
Click Security & Privacy.
Select the General tab.
Click the Lock icon in the bottom-left corner to make changes.
Enter your administrator password when prompted.
Under "Allow apps downloaded from:", select App Store and identified developers.
Click the Lock icon again to save your changes.

Tip: "Identified developers" are software creators registered with Apple who have signed their apps with a Developer ID. This allows Apple to verify that the app has not been tampered with since it was published.

Opening a Blocked App

If you trust a specific app that Gatekeeper has blocked, you can override the setting for that individual application without lowering your overall security.

Attempt to open the app. You will see a warning stating the app cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.
Click OK to dismiss the warning.
Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
Scroll to the Security section.
Click the Open Anyway button next to the blocked app's name.
Confirm by clicking Open in the pop-up dialog.

Warning: Only use the "Open Anyway" option for software you know is safe. Allowing apps from unidentified developers increases the risk of installing malware or ransomware on your system.

Troubleshooting

Gatekeeper settings are greyed out

If you cannot change the security settings, your Mac may be managed by your organisation using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile. Contact your IT administrator to request a change to your security policy.

App still will not open after changing settings

Ensure you are running the latest version of macOS. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Verify the app is compatible with your version of macOS and your processor (Intel or Apple Silicon).
Re-download the app from the developer's official website to ensure the file was not corrupted during download.

If you continue to experience issues with macOS security settings, you can Open a Ticket with our support team.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket