With each macOS update, Apple imposes new and stricter restrictions, and Sequoia is no different. By default, Mac only allows apps from the App Store and trusted developers. If you try to install an app from an unverified source, Apple’s Gatekeeper technology will block the installation to protect you from malware and ensure a good user experience.
However, if you still want to proceed with the installation, you might be used to pressing Control + click or using the right-click menu to open the app. Unfortunately, these methods no longer work on macOS Sequoia and later. But don’t worry—you still have the option to install apps from unverified sources on macOS Sequoia. Here’s how:
- Download the app and install it as you normally would.
- Double-click the app to open it. You will see an error pop-up stating that the app cannot be opened.
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security, and scroll down to the bottom.
- Under the Allow applications from section, you will see a message stating your app is blocked. Click on the Open Anyway option next to it.
- In the pop-up, click Open Anyway again and authenticate with Touch ID or your password.
That’s it! The app will now open. This is a one-time process, and the app should function normally from now on. While this method of granting permission isn’t new, macOS Sequoia has disabled the option to open an unverified app directly from the Finder. So your only option is to open it through System Settings.
Can We Disable GateKeeper on MacOS Sequoia
No, currently there is no way to disable this restriction. Previously, we could disable it from the Settings. Even after that option was removed, there was still a way to turn off the feature with a single master disable command in the Terminal. However, macOS Sequoia now uses a different Gatekeeper tool in the background called GKTool, which has closed this loophole and you can’t disable Gatekeeper anymore. So you have no option but to use System Settings to open unverified apps (for the first time).
On a side note, with this new Gatekeeper tool, you can now use a command to scan and open apps. But you will still need to grant permission from System Settings.
/usr/bin/gktool scan (Your App path)And that’s it, folks.
