Why does my Mac display the error message ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified’ when I try to open an app?
Why does my Mac display the error message ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified’ when I try to open an app?
Whenever I try to open a new application on my Mac, I frequently encounter the error message stating that the app ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.’ This issue has become quite frustrating as it prevents me from accessing software that I need for my tasks. It seems like the problem is related to macOS’s security settings, but I am not entirely sure why this keeps happening or what exactly the system is verifying. I have noticed that this issue occurs mostly with apps that are not downloaded from the Mac App Store, but it can be quite inconsistent. It sometimes feels like a roadblock, disrupting my workflow and making it harder for me to install and use new software. Understanding this error message and the reason behind it would greatly help me in managing my applications and ensuring that I can use the tools I need without unnecessary interruptions.
4 Answers
That frustrating ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified’ message stems from macOS’s Gatekeeper feature. Gatekeeper is built to block apps that aren’t from the Mac App Store or recognized developers. It’s about keeping your Mac safe from unknown software that could potentially harm your system. To work around this, you can try a specific approach: Control-click on the application in question, and then select ‘Open’ from the contextual menu. This action should prompt a dialog warning you about the developer being unidentified, but you’ll be able to bypass it by clicking ‘Open’ again.
You are encountering the error message ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified’ because macOS has a security feature called Gatekeeper. Gatekeeper is designed to protect your Mac from malware by only allowing apps from the Mac App Store and identified developers to run. If the app you are trying to open does not come from the Mac App Store or an identified developer, macOS will prevent it from running. To open such an app, you can go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Security & Privacy’ > ‘General’ tab, and click on ‘Open Anyway’ for the app in question.
The ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified’ error is a result of macOS Gatekeeper’s security protocols. Gatekeeper minimizes the risk of running malicious software by ensuring only apps from the Mac App Store and identified developers can be opened. To bypass this message, consider these steps:
- Navigate to ‘System Preferences.’
- Open ‘Security & Privacy.’
- Go to the ‘General’ tab.
- See if there’s an option mentioning the app and click ‘Open Anyway.’
- Confirm that you want to open the app.
Following these steps will allow you to access the app while maintaining awareness of the security messages from macOS.
When you get the error ‘cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified,’ it’s due to Apple’s macOS trying to protect your system from potentially unsafe applications. This security feature, called Gatekeeper, ensures that only apps from the Mac App Store and accredited developers can be run easily. To open a blocked app, try the following:
- Locate the app in Finder.
- Control-click the app.
- Choose ‘Open’ from the context menu.
- Confirm in the dialog that pops up.
By taking these steps, you inform macOS that you trust the app despite it not being officially verified, allowing you to use it without further hindrance.