Over the years, Apple has put its vast resources into making it's operating systems more secure for end-users. In macOS Catalina, the company has taken this to all-new levels by introducing beneficial security changes that make it even harder for miscreants to play havoc with our computers. However, because security is a tricky business, so-called improvements for some might not work for others. Specifically, Apple's decision to make Gatekeeper even more difficult crack is a significant step forward for everyday Mac users. For developers, perhaps not so much. Luckily, there's a workaround.

Warning: This terminal trick disables important security aspects of Gatekeeper, which leaves your Mac vulnerable to malware. We highly recommend you reinable the default security settings if you chose to follow this guide at your own risk.

This video is about How To Enable Download from Anywhere for Mac!!! (OS X Sierra) turn on: sudo spctl --master-disable turn off: sudo spctl --master-enable. Tour Start here for a quick overview of the site Help Center Detailed answers to any questions you might have Meta Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Doing this will allow you to install software from unsigned developers without having to confirm from within this menu. If you don't install any unsigned software within 30 days, you'll have to re-enable this settings.

What is Gatekeeper?

Gatekeeper has been an essential part of macOS for years. As its name suggests, the tool has been designed to check recently downloaded apps for known malware and sends it to quarantine. In his June article, The Great Mac Balancing Act, Rene Ritchie explains:

Currently, when you download an app, whether it's off the Store or the Web or even from AirDrop, that app is quarantined. If and when you try to open a quarantined app, Gatekeeper checks it for known malware, validates the developer signature to make sure it hasn't been tampered with, makes sure it's allowed to run, for example matches your settings for App Store apps and/or known developer apps, and then double checks with you that you really want to run the app for the first time, that it's not trying to pull a fast one and autorun itself.

Until now, Gatekeeper didn't take the same approach with apps launched via Terminal. It also didn't check non-quarantined apps and files for malware. In other words, it checked an app only once for malware.

Significant changes have arrived with macOS Catalina.

Now, apps started through Terminal are also checked. These files get the same malware scan, signature check, and local security policy check. The difference: even on the first run, you only need to explicitly approve software launched in bundles, like a standard Mac app bundle, not for standalone executables or libraries.

With macOS Catalina, perhaps more significantly, Gatekeeper will also check non-quarantined apps and files for problems. Not just once or twice, but every time you run it. When your Mac detects a problem, it blocks the file, then sends you an alert.

If all this sounds fantastic to you, terrific. That's undoubtedly Apple's intent. However, some developers might view this differently and find the changes cumbersome, at best.

A Workaround

Even though Gatekeeper in macOS is now stricter than ever, there is a way around it -- including macOS Catalina's newest tools. The workaround makes it possible to download and use apps downloaded from anywhere on macOS Catalina and earlier versions without a check.

First published in 2016 by OSX Daily, but still valid, the 'fix' works like this:

1. Be sure to exit System Preferences on your Mac.
2. On Finder, click Go.
3. Select Utilities.

4. Double-click Terminal.

5. Type of the following command syntax: sudo spctl --master-disable .
6. Hit Return
7. Authenticate with an admin password.
8. Hit Return.
9. Exit Terminal.

Changing your settings

Now, it's time to allow your Mac to open any app.

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac Dock.
2. Choose Security & Privacy.

3. Tap the lock at the bottom left of the screen.

4. Enter your password to unlock Security and Privacy.
5. Choose the Anywhere under Allow apps downloaded from. Prior to making the change, this option wasn't available.

6. Click the unlocked lock to keep the change.

With this change, Gatekeeper no longer monitors your computer for malware coming from apps and files.

Restoring to the original setting

If you'd like to return to the default Gatekeeper settings, perform these steps:

1. Be sure to exit System Preferences on your Mac.
2. On Finder, click Go.
3. Select Utilities.

4. Double-click Terminal.

5. Type of the following command syntax: sudo spctl --master-enable .
6. Hit Return
7. Authenticate with an admin password.
8. Hit Return.
9. Exit Terminal.

View the change

To confirm your Mac has returned to the default settings:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac Dock.
2. Choose Security & Privacy.

Allow Download From Anywhere Mac

Under Allow apps downloaded from, notice the select is now App Store and identified developers.

Should you make this switch?

For nearly every Mac user, there's no reason to make the listed change under Security & Privacy on macOS Catalina. It should only be performed if you can quickly determine whether apps are legitimate or not. Keep this in mind.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about Gatekeeper or the rest of the macOS Catalina update, let us know in the comments below.

macOS Catalina

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Mac OS X comes with some great features, and one of them is “Restriction on apps installation.” It prevents the system to run or install apps from unidentified developer that involves higher risks. To see the app installation settings you need to follow these steps;

• Click Apple Logo (located on the top right corner on Mac’s Screen), and select System Preferences, Or you can also launch the System Preferences app from the System Tray or from Launchpad

• Click Security & Privacy option

• Now you can see the app installation settings

In the screenshot above there are three options under “Allow Apps DownloadedFrom“section;

1. Mac App Store : This is the safest option for Mac users. When this option is selected, Mac will not allow to install or open any application that has not been downloaded from Mac App Store. If you try to install, you will get the error “Your Security Preferences allow installation of only apps from the Mac App Store.”

2. Mac App Store and Identified Developers : This is probably the best choice that allows to install or open apps from App Store, and from those developers that are identified by Apple. You will get the error if you try to open or install app from unidentified developer “Your Security Preferences allow installation of only apps from the Mac App Store and identified Developer.”

3. Anywhere : This option involves risk of installing infected files that may harm computer or data, but there are many useful applications that can’t be installed until you select this option. However, you should do only when you really know what you are doing

Why I can’t install or open an App on Mac that I downloaded from internet via browser?

As we discussed about three options for App Installation on Mac, you need to understand those, and you will have the answer to this question. If you can’t install the app even selecting the second option, you will have to select “Anywhere,” but do that only if you trust the app developer/maker.

How to select Anywhere or other option for “Allow apps downloaded from”

Allow Apps Download From Anywhere Mac

• Click the lock icon (located on the bottom left corner
• When you click lock icon, you will have to enter Admin Password
• Now all the three options will be unlocked, and you can select “Anywhere“or any other option according to your need
• Then click on lock icon again

How To Enable Download From Anywhere For Mac

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