How to fix “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” error

Mac

Malware attacks against Apple devices are also increasing. This is the reason Apple keeps adding security features to keep macOS users safe. One of the important security features of macOS is Gatekeeper which protects macOS from viruses, spyware, and other malware by not allowing apps from unverified developers from being installed on your macOS. Although the feature blocks app installation, uses can still install the app if they know what are they doing.

If you have downloaded an app from a third-party source and running it on macOS shows an error saying “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware,” the app may not be safe. Apple’s macOS includes a built-in security feature called Gatekeeper that prevents apps from untrusted sources from getting installed on your computer. If Gatekeeper detects an application that hasn’t been notarized by Apple, it shows a warning “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware.”

macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware

The error doesn’t always mean that the app is not safe. The macOS Catalina and later versions require software to be notarized. So, the error basically means that the app has yet to be notarized by Apple. It may or may not contain a virus. The app has not been reviewed, so macOS cannot tell if it is safe.

You can still run the app on your macOS even if Gatekeeper shows this warning. If you are sure that the app is safe to run on your system, you can use the following ways to install and run the app even after it shows the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” warning.

First, try to run the app. After it shows the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” warning, Open open System Preferences and Go to Security & Privacy.

Here, click the Open Anyway button to confirm your intent to open or install the app.

macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware

You will be asked to enter the admin credentials to verify you are the owner of the system.

The warning prompt will reappear but it will also have an Open button to Open the software Gatekeeper was blocking.

macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware

Clicking on Open will run the app and it will also add the app as an exception to your security settings. So, the app won’t show any such warning the next time when you run the app.

This is how you can run the app that shows the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” warning on Mac. Try the given method to bypass this warning and run the app. I also recommend everyone download and run the apps only from a trusted developer and trusted source to keep their computer safe from malware.

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