Open a Mac app from an unidentified developer

If you try to open an app that isn’t registered with Apple by an identified developer, you get a warning dialog. This doesn’t necessarily mean that something’s wrong with the app. For example, some apps were written before developer ID registration began. However, the app has not been reviewed, and macOS can’t check whether the app has been modified or broken since it was released.

This issue may happen if you are downloading a known good application for Syracuse University. To override your security settings and open the app anyway follow these steps:

In the Finder on your Mac, locate the app you want to open. Don’t use Launchpad to do this. Launchpad doesn’t allow you to access the shortcut menu.
Control-click the app icon, then choose Open from the shortcut menu.
Click Open. The app is saved as an exception to your security settings, and you can open it in the future by double-clicking it just as you can any registered app.

Note

You can also grant an exception for a blocked app by clicking the Open Anyway button in the General pane of Security & Privacy preferences. This button is available for about an hour after you try to open the app.

To open this pane on your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General.