Fix “macOS Cannot Verify That This App is Free from Malware” [2025]

When you try to open an app downloaded outside of the App Store, your Mac might block it with a warning like “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware.” And depending on your macOS version, you might also see messages like “the developer cannot be verified” or “unidentified developer.”

Sometimes it’s just Apple’s strict security kicking in. But other times, it’s a genuine red flag. Here’s how to figure out which one you’re dealing with and how to bypass the error safely — if needed.

What Is the “macOS Cannot Verify That This App Is Free of Malware” Error Message?

In short, the message means the app has been flagged by Apple’s Gatekeeper filter. Gatekeeper is a security technology included in macOS that helps guarantee only trustworthy software is allowed to run on a user’s Mac. But how does it work?

Understanding Gatekeeper and Notarization

Gatekeeper simply checks if an app has been “notarized” or not. When a user downloads and opens an app, plug-in, or installation package from a source other than the App Store, Gatekeeper performs a check to ensure that the program is from an identified developer. It also ensures the program has not been adulterated and is notarized by Apple to be free of known dangerous material.

And what is notarization? That’s simple as well. To have an app notarized, a developer needs to send it to Apple. The company, then, performs some checks to ensure the app doesn’t pose a security threat.

If everything is good, Apple generates a hash code, which is stored inside macOS itself. When you download the app, if it’s notarized, macOS compares its hash with the one it has stored for that app.

Finally, if the hashes match, the app opens. Most importantly, this process happens without any user input, protecting you regardless of you even being aware of its existence.

“macOS Cannot Verify That This App Is Free of Malware”: Common Causes for the Error

If the hashes don’t match? Well, there are a few reasons it may happen. Let’s check each one individually.

• Corrupt downloads: This is a very rare case. If the app isn’t downloaded correctly, its hash will differ from the one stored in macOS, and it won’t open. In this case, even if Gatekeeper and notarization didn’t exist, the app likely wouldn’t run anyway. That’s because, with a corrupt download, files needed for the app to run will either be broken or even missing.
• Actual security threats: Obviously, there’s a chance that the app is indeed malware. In this case, you can rest assured that Gatekeeper prevented anything serious from happening to your Mac.
• Your security settings: By default, macOS is configured to only allow the installation of apps from the Mac App Store. If you don’t change this setting, even legit apps will fail the Gatekeeper check. Therefore, the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” message will appear for any externally downloaded app.
• Non-notarized legit apps: Some developers may prefer not to notarize their apps, for one reason or another. Some consider the way Apple conducts the notarization process too limiting. As an example, that’s the case for AeroSpace, a window manager I recommended in a recent article.
• Apps that require risky permissions: Lastly, some legit apps may need permissions that Apple deems too risky and won’t approve. The developers, then, don’t even have the option of notarizing their apps.

Should I Ignore the Message? Is it Safe To Disable Gatekeeper?

The answer to both questions is “it depends”. Do you trust the developer, know the app isn’t a threat, and can safely assume the warning is excessive? Then go ahead. If not, it’s better to err on the side of caution and let macOS deal with this.

Quick Tip:

If you face malware-related issues on your Mac, you need to know that the easiest way of getting rid of these encounters is by using a powerful antivirus tool.
One of our go-to AV apps is Intego Mac Internet Security because of its complete suite of features capable of detecting and shattering any trace of malware in real time.

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When you decide to go around the protections that come standard with your Mac, you should be aware that you are putting your Mac in danger of being infected by malicious software and viruses. Thus, we strongly recommend that you use a good antivirus tool such as Intego Mac Internet Security. It is our go-to antivirus software, and it has never let us down.

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How To Fix “macOS Cannot Verify That This App Is Free of Malware”? What To Do?

As I pointed out, you need to first confirm whether the app is safe. If it’s not, the only possible course of action is getting rid of it. Even if it’s a legit app, however, there are some aspects to consider.

Firstly, you need to check if it doesn’t open vulnerabilities that could be exploited by actual malware. Then, there are a few courses of action. We’ll detail each one below.

Make Sure Your Downloaded App Is Safe

It can’t be stressed enough how important it is not to allow an unsafe app bypass the Gatekeeper check. This could put your files at risk, and cause all sorts of trouble, including password theft and even financial issues. Also, there’s a chance the malware could replicate itself and infect other computers.

Bypassing Gatekeeper for Single Apps: 4 Methods

If you’re 100% positive that the app is safe, then there are a few ways to allow it to open. Each one has pros and cons, check below.

1. Right-Click the App (Easiest Way, but Limited)

Depending on your macOS version, you can right-click (or hold Control and then click) the app to open it. Select Open from the context menu, and it should start.

There are two main limitations to this method. Firstly, it works on a per-use basis, so you’ll need to do the procedure whenever you open the app. Secondly, newer macOS versions may not support this. In my testing, I couldn’t get a non-notarized app to run this way in macOS 15 Sequoia.

2. Change Privacy & Security Settings (Permanent Fix)

A more permanent fix involves the System Settings app. All the actions should be performed in the Privacy & Security pane.

You’ll need to open the Security drop-down menu. Change from App Store to App Store and Known Developers. That way, notarized apps downloaded from outside the App Store will open normally.

Also, when you try to open a non-notarized app, you’ll see a dialog with only two Buttons. The available options, Done and Move to Trash, don’t seem to leave much choice.

However, if you click Done, you can still bypass Gatekeeper in System Settings > Privacy & Security. You’ll see a message saying the app was blocked to protect your Mac.

Click Open Anyway, then Open Anyway in the dialog that will appear, and enter your password. The app should open normally from now on.

The main disadvantage of this method is that it involves opening System Settings for each new non-notarized app. Also, the buttons in the dialogs may make you think you won’t be able to open the app at all.

The good news is that this method is permanent. For any given app, when you bypass Gatekeeper this way, you won’t need to do so ever again.

3. Bypass Gatekeeper Using Terminal

There’s also an alternative if you prefer to use the Terminal and avoid browsing through countless menus and dialogs. Just use the following command:

sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Path/to/Your.app

You’ll be prompted for your password. After that, the app will always open normally, just as if you had used the previous method.

4. Install Apps Using Homebrew

Another option for Terminal fans is using Homebrew whenever possible. Homebrew is a package manager similar to APT or Pacman that’s used in Linux distributions. During the installation process, Homebrew automatically performs the previous method, saving you some time.

AeroSpace’s developers, for example, recommend users install the app through Homebrew. This way, it not only bypasses Gatekeeper, but gets automatic updates as well.

Disable Gatekeeper System-Wide in macOS

Time needed: 5 minutes

Lastly, you can completely disable Gatekeeper. This is a very risky procedure, not because it’s complex, but for its implications. After performing it, if you open a non-notarized app, you won’t see any sort of warning. Therefore, you’ll be more vulnerable to malware, so it’s better to pay twice as much attention after doing this.

1. In a Terminal window, type sudo spctl --master-disable and press Return.
   
2. Enter your password. You’ll see a message saying you need to confirm the change in System Settings.
3. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. Under Security, a new option will appear in the drop-down menu: Anywhere
   
4. Selecting this option it will require entering your password again. After that, you’ll see a final fearmongering dialog about the risks of disabling Gatekeeper. Confirm your choice and it’s done.
   

Disabling Gatekeeper may rid you of the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” message. However, it also exposes you to some considerable risk. As always, it’s a matter of security versus convenience, and it’s up to you to decide which matters most.