In contempo software updates, Apple has included more stringent security measures in its OS with the goal of ameliorate protecting your Mac from malware. While this gives you lot an added layer of protection, it too makes it more difficult to open applications that Apple is not familiar with (such every bit those not in the App Store or those created by unidentified developers).

While it may exist catchy, opening these apps is possible. Here, we'll explicate the reasoning behind Apple tree's enhanced security, show yous how to allow any and all apps on your Mac, and even briefly discuss keeping yourself safe from malware.

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

Apple tree puts many safety measures in identify in society to reduce users' chances of being infected by viruses and other forms of malware. This is why Apple is known as a "closed platform": It's strict near what apps it allows to be easily downloaded onto and accessed from Apple devices.

The apps you lot can download onto an Apple device are generally limited to those that tin can be found in the App Shop because they're seen every bit more secure — they're created past developers that Apple trusts and take been checked by Apple for malware.

In lodge to bank check an app'south safety, Apple uses a software called Gatekeeper.

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

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

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

It'south a skilful idea to know how to download and access these kinds of applications. And then many of the corking apps out in that location but aren't available on the App Store. This is a crucial skill for those who rely on apps that aren't necessarily meant for Macs (such as Microsoft software), likewise as those who have recently begun using Apple devices and want to be able to use non-iOS/macOS apps.

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

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

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

  1. Ready 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 irresolute your Mac's Security & Privacy settings to let yous to open apps that oasis't been checked past Gatekeeper. One time you've bypassed Gatekeeper, yous'll be able to download and run all the apps yous'd like. (To acquire how to do this, check out our piece on how to open apps from unidentified developers.)

How to download apps from anywhere

Before macOS Sierra, it was much easier to set your Mac to permit you to download apps from anywhere. You'd simply go to Organization Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, then under Permit apps to be downloaded from, select Anywhere.

Since new updates to macOs, notwithstanding, you'll demand to change a few more settings on your Mac in guild to exercise then. Here's how:

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

If you later decide that you'd like to return to your Mac's default settings and no longer allow apps to be downloaded from anywhere, only follow these steps:

  • Launch Terminal.
  • Once information technology's running, enter the lawmaking sudo spctl --master-enable You'll no longer be able to select Anywhere.

After this is done, you volition just be allowed to download apps from the App Shop, unless you utilize the steps mentioned above to access apps from other locations.

How to open up Mac apps bypassing Gatekeeper

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

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


This fashion you can open apps no affair where they come from.

How many suspicious apps practise you lot have?

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

Such invisible applications are sometimes chosen launch agents or daemons. They may stay in the groundwork for years. Probably, you have a couple of those lurking on your Mac.

How to check your Mac for hidden background apps

To check information technology, yous can run a gratuitous version of CleanMyMac X

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

  • So, download and install a gratis version of CleanMyMac X.
  • Click on Optimization and choose Launch Agents

You'll come across background apps yous can disable in i click.

  • In the aforementioned app, click on Malware Removal.

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

CleanMyMac X volition check your computer for all potentially unwanted apps (PUA) and all kinds of malware. Information technology as well helps you keep track of malware regularly with a real-time malware monitor.

A gratis version of CleanMyMac X is bachelor here.

Is it rubber to download apps from anywhere?

In that location'southward no guarantee that apps downloaded from outside of the App Store will be safe. As these apps haven't been vetted for security by Apple, information technology's more difficult to confirm whether they're rubber and free of malware.

Because of this, yous should be wary in changing your settings to let apps downloaded from anywhere. Doing then leaves your Mac vulnerable malware and malicious software, as Gatekeeper won't be able to check if the app downloaded is legitimate (or but malware bearded as the desired software).

The safety of your Mac, and so, is in your hands. The all-time you lot can do to try to brand sure that an app is rubber to download is to expect into its reviews and the experiences other users have had. Doing your due diligence can help yous avoid using untrustworthy apps.

Downloading anti-virus software is another means of protection, as this software will check whether an app is safe for you. If, when researching all you lot can about an app, you determine you'd rather not download information technology, you can opt for a similar app with meliorate reviews or one that is already in the App Store.