Requirements: OS X 10.8+ , 13.1Mb free space
Version 3.3.2 (November 12, 2020) | Support macOS Big Sur | Category: Mac Uninstaller
App Can't Be Opened Because Apple Cannot Check It for Malicious Software
By
Tasnia Salinas, on December 24, 2020, in
Mac Uninstaller | SOLVED
Summary: Trying to install an app on macOS Big Sur but get an error message saying XXX app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. Check this complete macOS Big Sur Problem troubleshooting article.
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User feedback: I'm trying to open a .pkg package from Skype for passcode management on macOS Big Sur. When I go to open the package it tell me: "Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software." I've checked in System Preferences but can't figure it out. Any help is appreciated.
Other Affected Apps:
| App Name | Error Message | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Cloud | "com.adobe.acc.installer.v2" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Adobe Flash Player | "pepperflashplayer.plugin" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Visual Studio Code | Visual Studio Code can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Katalon Studio | "Katalon Studio" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Java Update | "Java 8 Update 231" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Android Studio | Android Studio can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Steam | Steam can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Spotify | Spotify can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Skype | Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| VirtualBox | virtualbox.pkg can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Docker | com.docker.vmnetd can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Origin | Origin can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| FireFox | FireFox.app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| League Of Legends | "League Of Legends" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Java Update | "Java 8 Update 231" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
| Guild Wars 2 | "Guild Wars 2 64 bit" can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software |
Diagnosis: Modern macOS, like Mojave and Big Sur, includes a technology called Gatekeeper, which is built to help you safely open apps on your Mac. For sure Apple App Store is the best place to get software applications, but in many cases, you'll need to download and install apps out of the store. To distribute apps without App Store, it requires the developer to have valid Apple Developer ID and get their apps notarized. Otherwise, it has large chance that they'll get the following error: "XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software."
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Table of Content:
- Part 1: How To Open Apps That Apple Cannot Check for Malicious Software
- Part 2: Additional Tips To Open Apps on macOS Big Sur Safely
Part 1: Open Apps That Apple Cannot Check for Malicious Software
Keep it in mind that, by bypassing this Apple gateway protection method, you may expose your computer and personal information to malware (Check Malware App List on macOS) that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. So make sure that this app you want to install on macOS Big Sur is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with. You can temporarily override your Mac security settings so as to run this software that hasn’t been signed and notarized (Learn How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Big Sur).
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Step 1:
In macOS Big Sur (or macOS Mojave), to open an app that fails to be opened because it hasn't been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy:
How To Fix App Can't Be Opened on macOS Big Sur Step 1 -
Step 2:
Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.
How To Fix App Can't Be Opened on macOS Big Sur Step 2 -
Optional Method:
An alternative method to bypass this error is to click on the “Show in Finder” button > Go to "Applications" folder to locate the app > Control click or right click on the application file and choose "Open" option.
-
Optional Method:
You will get a similar error message for malicious software checking like below. However, this time you will see an additional "Open" button.
Control Click App To Open
Part 2: Additional Tips To Open Apps on macOS Big Sur Safely
One more side note is that, Apple designed this Gateway method is for protecting your Mac from malicious malware. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer (Uninstall Program on Mac). It also requires software to be notarized. To open apps safely on macOS Big Sur, consider these following tips.
General Tips for Open Apps Safely on macOS Big Sur:
The Bottom Line
Still get stuck by error: "XXX App can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software"? Here is an alternative method that can fix this issue. In the Finder > Control-click the app DMG/PKG file > choose Open from the menu, and in the dialog that appears, click Open. Enter your admin name and password when prompted. Have other macOS Big Sur app not working issue? Try Omni Remover >
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More Mac App Cleaner and Uninstaller Tips
- How To Completely Uninstall Anaconda on macOS Big Sur >
- How To Uninstall uTorrent on Mac in Easy Steps >
- A Complete Guide To Uninstall Citrix Receiver Mac >
- How To Uninstall VMware Fusion on Mac Big Sur >
- How To Uninstall Silverlight & Plugins on Mac >
- How To Completely Uninstall Spotify on Mac OS X >
Tags: Uninstall Office 2011 Mac Uninstall Firefox Uninstall Kaspersky Mac Uninstall MacKeeper Uninstall Google Earth Mac Uninstall Steam Mac Uninstall Adobe Flash Mac Uninstall Dropbox Mac Uninstall Skype Mac Uninstall Teamviewer Mac Uninstall Sophos Antivirus Mac Uninstall Norton Mac Uninstall Soundflower Mac Uninstall WinZip Mac