If you are using an Apple device, you may encounter “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” while attempting to open an app on your Mac and the system shows the notification.
macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware is one of the random errors in macOS. The message means that the application is not yet authorized by Apple Store and it might not be safe to use.
The issue is common especially when you download apps from other websites instead of the Mac Store. Even some legitimate apps can however have this issue with Apple’s authorization.
In this article, we will explain to you more about the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” error, what it means, and when to take it seriously.
Why do I get the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” warning?
While trying to install packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the developer ID signature by default to verify that the software is from an identified developer and has not been modified.
This is the main reason why you get the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” warning while trying to install unknown apps.
If you’re sure of the app’s safety and want to install it on your device, you can bypass the warning and install the software.
Is it Safe to Open an App macOS cannot Verify?
It’s safer to verify the app’s publisher before opening and installing apps from unverified publishers. If you are sure of the publisher, then you can go ahead to open and install the app.
In a case where you do not know the app publisher, you should be careful when installing it because it might be a malicious app and it might damage your Mac.
How to fix “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from Malware”
You can fix “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from Malware” using the steps listed below:
Use Control-Click
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- Select the app with the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware” error.
- Control-Click on the application to open the shortcut menu.
- Click on Open to run the app. When you do this, the app will be added to the whitelist, thus you won’t see the error “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware”.
Open Anyway
- Go to Apple menu >> System Preferences.
- Select Security & Privacy >> tap the General tab.
- Select the “Open Anyway” button for the unverified app. You will be prompted for the admin credentials, enter them and proceed.
- Click Open when asked to run or install the blocked app.
Look for the app on Mac App Store
Search the Mac App Store and check if the app is available there, if the app is available on Mac App Store, you can download and install it from there and this will not generate any error. Downloading it from a different source generates the “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from Malware” error.
Download the app through Safari
If all the above processes didn’t work, you can try to download the app using Safari. Sometimes, downloading apps through other browsers, like Chrome and Edge, will cause a problem when trying to install unsigned apps. If you already downloaded the app from another source and you are having issues, you can take the following steps:
- Delete the app you downloaded from another web browser.
- Restart your Mac.
- Download the app again using Safari.
- Open and run the app.
That’s it!
How to Check for Malware
When you are trying to install an application from another source other than Mac App Store, you may be the risk of a virus attack. One of the best ways to be safe from viruses is to install antivirus software.
You can check the Apple Store for various available antiviruses. After it has been installed, the antivirus thoroughly checks for malware on your Mac and provides information on what viruses and other threats it has detected.
You can check if the app you are trying to install is malicious by scanning it using an Antivirus:
- Download and install the Antivirus of choice from the App Store.
- Open your Antivirus.
- Select the Scan option.
We hope this article was helpful to you. What are the other issues you have with your device if you have any? Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comment section below.