Starting with OS X Mountain Lion, Apple introduced Gatekeeper so users couldn't easily install downloaded apps from outside the Mac App Store.
When someone downloads an app from somewhere other than the Mac App Store they will get one of a few warning messages depending on what security settings they've set in System Preferences. We'll show users how to set the security settings in Security & Privacy section of the OS X System Preferences using any version of OS X after Mountain Lion so they can install downloaded apps from outside the Mac App Store.
Why Can't I Install 3rd-Party Apps By Default?
If you don't care about why this works, skip to the next section. Here's why Apple sets OS X to disallow 3rd-party apps by default, for those who like to understand why things work as they do.
For the past 3-4 betas (currently beta 9), my Big Sur installation's Mac App Store has broken. IMovie and/or Final Cut never install; they download, with the progress 'roundel' going to its 3/4 position, but then there is no advancement. 'zsh', part of a process family tree that seems to include install-related components, spins at 100% CPU and nothing ever progresses further. You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to trade in for credit or for an Apple Store Gift Card. Not all devices are eligible for credit. More details are available from Apple's Mac trade‑in partner and Apple's iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch trade‑in partner for trade-in and recycling of eligible devices.
Cynics will say that Apple does this because they don't get a 30% cut from applications bought directly from third-party apps instead of their curated app store. A $10 app nets Apple $3 and the developer gets only $7. The developer gets the entire $10 if the app is sold directly.
Apple says they set things blocking third-party apps because they want to protect users who might install downloaded apps with malware or viruses. They take the 30% cut to cover the cost of hosting the Mac App Store and testing apps to keep malware out of the store. In other words, they want to help protect us from our own mistakes.
Apple offers three setting options in the Security & Privacy Settings in System Preferences. Apple set the default to help protect users from Malware or to lock down computers depending on which explanation you prefer.
Install any app with ease. The Mac App Store revolutionises the way apps are installed on a computer — it happens in one step. Enter the same iTunes password you use to buy apps and music on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or iPod touch. The Mac App Store features rich editorial content and great apps for Mac. Explore the Mac App Store. Get more out of Mac. Coming this fall Apple One. Bundle up to six Apple services. 5 And enjoy more for less. More details are available from Apple's Mac trade‑in partner and Apple. It has something to do with your Apple ID's two-step verification, so turn it off. visit appleid.apple.com and login with your apple id. (probably using 2 step verification) - left side: 'security' something (mine is dutch too) - turn of two step verification. After a reboot i was able to log in to the Mac App Store and also iCloud again!
Apple created Gatekeeper, a program to protect users from Malware. Developers can get a security certificate from Apple through the Apple Developer program. If a developer distributes their app on the Mac App Store, they have to follow certain guidelines to get approved. These guidelines try to keep malware out of the store. Developers can also add a security certificate to their apps. The certificate is some code inserted into the app code. Users can set their machines to allow third-party apps downloaded from the Internet, but only if they include one of these security certificates.
Find out how to change the settings below so you can install downloaded apps from trusted third-party websites. Don't install apps from just any site because relaxing security settings could potentially open the door to malware and viruses.
How to Install Apps from Outside the Mac App Store
To install third-party apps, the user must change a setting in the Security & Privacy section of System Preferences, the Settings app in OS X.
Open OS X System Preferences by clicking on the app icon from OS X Dock or by clicking the Apple icon in the Menu Bar in the upper left corner of the screen. When the menu pops up, click on System Preferences.
Click on Security & Privacy from the top row of the System Preferences app. Choose the General tab to see the settings below.
There's a lock icon at the bottom of the dialog box. Click it to enable all the settings in the box. The OS will ask the user to enter their administrator's password. Click OK and the grayed out settings become clickable.
The settings we need to work with show up at the bottom half of the dialog box. There are three options under Allow apps downloaded from:. Here are the descriptions taken from Apple's support site.
- Mac App Store – Only apps that came from the Mac App Store can open.
- Mac App Store and identified developers (default in OS X) – Only allow apps that came from the Mac App Store and developers using Gatekeeper can open.
- Anywhere – Allow applications to run regardless of their source on the Internet (default in OS X Lion v10.7.5); Gatekeeper is effectively turned off. Note: Developer ID-signed apps that have been inappropriately altered will not open, even with this option selected.
Pdf format software free download. If the user chooses the first two options, they can close the dialog box and continue. However, if the user chooses Anywhere, the above warning pops up to scare the user from using this setting. It says:
Choosing 'Anywhere' makes your Mac less secure. Minecraft macbook air free.
The warning box explains that OS X resets this setting after 30 days. Users will have to come back here and do the above steps again. Further, it explains that it's safer to let the OS warn you each time you launch an app, which includes an option to allow it by clicking an OK button if you select the middle option of the three.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Those who only install apps from the Mac App Store should not bother changing the default settings. Make sure to select the first option labelled Mac App Store and close the box. If you want to install and run any app you want and don't worry at all about malware, then choose the third option labelled Anywhere. I use the second option since I can still install third-party apps, but they have to come from developers who take the time to add an Apple Developer security certificate to their app. These are safe, but can come from outside the Mac App Store.
Related Posts
While most people can access their email via the web these days, having a dedicated…
We've put together a list of some of the best Mac apps anywhere: if you're looking…
Any time a user installs a new application on a Mac, it becomes the default…
Apple Developer Program membership is required to request, download, and use signing certificates issued by Apple. For developers part of a team enrolled as an organization, you must also be the account holder or an admin to request distribution certificates used for submitting apps to the App Store.
Using Certificates
In most cases, Xcode is the preferred method to request and install digital certificates for iOS and macOS. However, to request certificates for services such as Apple Pay, the Apple Push Notification service, Apple Wallet, and Mobile Device Management (MDM), you will need to request and download them from Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles in your account on the developer website.
For more information on how to use signing certificates, review the Xcode Help Guide.
Protecting Your Account and Certificates
Your Apple ID, authentication credentials, and related account information and materials (such as Apple Certificates used for distribution or submission to the App Store) are sensitive assets that confirm your identity.
- Keep your Apple ID and authentication credentials secure and do not share them with anyone. To learn more, see Security and your Apple ID.
- Do not share Apple Certificates outside of your organization. To learn how to securely share them with trusted team members within your organization, see Maintaining Signing Assets in Xcode Help.
App Store For Macbook
Expired or Revoked Certificates
- Apple Push Notification Service Certificate
You can no longer send push notifications to your app. - Apple Pay Payment Processing Certificate
Apple Pay transactions in your apps and websites will fail. - Apple Pay Merchant Identity Certificate
Apple Pay transactions on your websites will fail. - Pass Type ID Certificate (Wallet)
If your certificate expires, passes that are already installed on users' devices will continue to function normally. However, you will no longer be able to sign new passes or send updates to existing passes. If your certificate is revoked, your passes will no longer function properly. - iOS Distribution Certificate (App Store)
If your Apple Developer Program membership is valid, your existing apps on the App Store will not be affected. However, you will no longer be able to upload new apps or updates signed with the expired or revoked certificate to the App Store. - iOS Distribution Certificate (in-house, internal use apps)
Users will no longer be able to run apps that have been signed with this certificate. You must distribute a new version of your app that is signed with a new certificate. - Mac App Distribution Certificate and Mac Installer Distribution Certificate (Mac App Store)
If your Apple Developer Program membership is valid, your existing apps on the Mac App Store will not be affected. However, you will no longer be able to upload new apps or updates signed with the expired or revoked certificate to the Mac App Store. - Developer ID Application Certificate (Mac applications)
If your certificate expires, users can still download, install, and run versions of your Mac applications that were signed with this certificate. However, you will need a new certificate to sign updates and new applications. If your certificate is revoked, users will no longer be able to install applications that have been signed with this certificate. If your Mac application utilizes a Developer ID provisioning profile to take advantage of advanced capabilities such as CloudKit and push notifications, you must ensure your Developer ID provisioning profile is valid in order for installed versions of your application to run. Read more. - Developer ID Installer Certificate (Mac applications)
If your certificate expires, users can no longer launch installer packages for your Mac applications that were signed with this certificate. Previously installed apps will continue to run however new installations will not be possible until you have re-signed your installer package with a valid Developer ID Installer certificate. If your certificate is revoked, users will no longer be able to install applications that have been signed with this certificate. - Apple Worldwide Developer Relations Certification Intermediate Certificate
The Apple Worldwide Developer Relations Certificate Authority issues certificates used by developers for signing third party apps and Safari Extensions, and for using Apple Wallet and Apple Push Notification services. We've issued a renewed certificate that must be included when signing all new Apple Wallet Passes, Apple Push Notifications, Safari Extensions, and apps for the App Store, starting February 14, 2016. Read more.
Note: Apple can revoke digital certificates at any time at its sole discretion. For more information, read the Apple Developer Program license agreements in your account on the developer website.
Compromised Certificates
If you suspect that your Pass Type ID certificate or Developer ID certificate and private key have been compromised, and would like to request revocation of the certificate, send an email to product-security@apple.com. You can continue to develop and distribute passes by requesting an additional certificate from your account on the developer website.
FAQs
Apple App Store On Mac
I received an error message saying, 'Xcode could not find a valid private-key/certificate pair for this profile in your keychain.'
This error message indicates that your system's Keychain is missing either the public or private key for the certificate you are using to sign your application.
Apple App Store On Macbook Air
This often happens when you are trying to sign and build your application from a different system than the one you originally used to request your code signing certificate. It can also happen if your certificate has expired or has been revoked. Ensure that your app's provisioning profile contains a valid code signing certificate, and that your system's Keychain contains that certificate, the private key originally used to generate that certificate, and the WWDR Intermediate Certificate.
For instructions on how to resolve this error, review the Code Signing support page.
Apple App Store On Macbook
What happens to my applications signed with Developer ID if my Apple Developer Program membership expires?
If your membership expires, users can still download, install, and run your applications that are signed with Developer ID. However, once your Developer ID certificate expires, you must be an Apple Developer Program member to get new Developer ID certificates to sign updates and new applications.