Sometimes when you try to open an app on your Mac, you may get a security message that says “Apple cannot check it for malicious software” to tell you that the app you are trying to launch is not from a trusted source and you should consider removing it.
Mark you, you can still get this message even if the app is from a trustworthy source.
Apple can’t check apps for malicious software messages is a clear warning and it can be harmful to your Mac. Hackers often add malicious codes to compromise your safety.
Although Apple may claim its security system is no match but these hackers sometimes escape their security patch and these apps end up in the Apple store causing security threats for its users,
Here in this article, we will guide you on how to bypass apple cannot check it for malicious software error messages on your Mac.
Note: You can fix Apple Cannot Check It For Malicious Software by simply closing the suspected app and download it from the Apple store or a trusted source.
Apple Cannot Check It For Malicious Software
The following troubleshooting tips explain how to take control of your app when it says Apple can’t check the app for malicious software.
Save The App As An Exception
- Click on the Finder icon to switch to the finder on your Mac.
- Find the app you want to open in the Finder.
- In the Finder locate the app you want to open. Make sure you do not use Launchpad to find the app.
- Double-click the app icon and select open from the shortcut menu
- Click Open.
Change Your Security Preference
- Choose the Apple menu at the top left corner of your Mac screen.
- Select system settings.
- Click Security & privacy settings.
- Click General.
- To make changes, click the lock and enter your password.
- Select App Store under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.”
- Now launch the app, as it should open without getting any security message.
What To Do When Mac Says macOS Cannot Verify That This App Is Free From Malware?
When you install Mac apps from outside the app store, macOS verifies that the software is from an identified developer and has not been altered by checking the Developer ID signature.
The macOS needs to check the software you run on your Mac doesn’t contain known malware. And some times you can a security message that says macOS cannot verify that this App is free from malware. It could mean that the app you are trying to open poses a security threat to your Mac.
If still you want to open an app that MacOS cannot verify. Below is what to do when Mac says MacOs cannot verify that this app is free from Malware:
- Choose the Apple menu on your Mac screen.
- Select system settings.
- Click Security & privacy settings.
- Click General.
- To make changes, click the lock and enter your password.
- Under allow apps downloaded from, Select App Store and identified developers.
- Click the “Open Anyway” button.
- When the warning prompt reappears click Open.
How Do I Make My Mac Detect Malicious Software?
As part of recommended security measures to make your Mac device free of viruses or malware and detect malicious apps or code quickly, you should practise the following troubleshooting tips.
Use the macOS Built-in Antivirus
Your macOS has a built-in antivirus known as XProtect which detects and removes malware. This tool is enabled by default settings and does not require any action.
If you download an app that contains a virus, XProtect can detect malware and prevent the app from running on your Mac.
Xprotect has some limitations which make it limited and can’t detect so many viruses to give your Mac the total protection necessary to keep it safe.
Use Activity Monitor
One of the several signs of malware is a reduced performance speed and you can check your Mac’s activity monitor to see the cause of your reduced Mac’s CPU performance.
- Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
- Go to the CPU tab.
- Click on the % CPU column to sort high to low, and look for high CPU use activity monitor CPU tab.
- If you locate any harmful app and malware within Activity Monitor, click the item and select the X button to terminate it.
Check For Unwanted Apps, Plugins, or Extensions
You should check your Mac folder for unwanted apps that you don’t recognize or remember installing on your device. If you find any suspicious app, delete it from your folder and empty your Trash.
When you download a malicious app on your Mac, they often leave behind unwanted plugins and extensions on your browser. You should check your web browser for unwanted plugins and extensions.
Scan For Mac Malware With Antivirus Software
The best way to detect malicious software is by using an antivirus application. This third-party dedicated antivirus is designed to detect and remove antivirus. You can search your entire Mac or selected folder for viruses by carrying out manual scans.
We recommend carrying out a scan with a MacKeeper and below is how to run a virus scan using MacKeeper:
- Open MacKeeper, and select Antivirus from the left sidebar.
- Click Start Scan.
- By default, the Mackeeper antivirus scans through your Mac’s home folder for malware and viruses.
You can run a custom virus scan to check a specific file or folder for viruses if you download any new files on your Mac:
- Open MacKeeper Antivirus.
- Click Custom Scan in the bottom right corner.
- Click the + icon to select the items and tap Open.
If you found any malware infections on your Mac, you need to delete the viruses and made your Mac safer. Here is what to do if viruses are found:
- Check the list of threats found.
- Tap Move to Quarantine to avoid infected files from damaging your Mac.
- Tap Restart to open MacKeeper Antivirus again.
- Tap Quarantine and select all infections from the list.
- Tap Delete and confirm it in the next window.
We could keep listing different methods to take absolute control of your macOS device when it keeps saying Apple cannot check it for malicious software. However, we