The safest place to get apps for your Mac is the App Store. Apple reviews each app in the App Store before it’s accepted and signs it to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with or altered. If there’s ever a problem with an app, Apple can quickly remove it from the store.
Keep your Mac up to date. Periodically, Apple releases updates to your macOS software (which can include updates to apps that come with your Mac and important security updates). If you receive a notification that software updates are available, you can choose when to install the updates, or choose to be reminded the next day. Nov 03, 2016 Keep doing this, holding Cmd, until all the apps you want closed are gone. Why Is macOS So Weird? In a way, this is like asking English people why they have an accent. The Mac way of doing things is older than the Windows way, because macOS has been around longer.
If you download and install apps from the internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac. 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 and that it has not been altered. By default, macOS Catalina also requires software to be notarized, so you can be confident that the software you run on your Mac doesn't contain known malware. Before opening downloaded software for the first time, macOS requests your approval to make sure you aren’t misled into running software you didn’t expect.
Running software that hasn’t been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy.
View the app security settings on your Mac
By default, the security and privacy preferences of your Mac are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. For additional security, you can chose to allow only apps from the App Store.
In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. Select App Store under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.”
Open a developer-signed or notarized app
If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, the first time that you launch a new app, your Mac asks if you’re sure you want to open it.
An app that has been notarized by Apple indicates that Apple checked it for malicious software and none was detected:
Prior to macOS Catalina, opening an app that hasn't been notarized shows a yellow warning icon and asks if you're sure you want to open it:
If you see a warning message and can’t install an app
If you have set your Mac to allow apps only from the App Store and you try to install an app from elsewhere, your Mac will say that the app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.*
If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, and you try to install an app that isn’t signed by an identified developer or—in macOS Catalina—notarized by Apple, you also see a warning that the app cannot be opened.
If you see this warning, it means that the app was not notarized, and Apple could not scan the app for known malicious software.
You may want to look for an updated version of the app in the App Store or look for an alternative app.
If macOS detects a malicious app
If macOS detects that an app has malicious content, it will notify you when you try to open it and ask you to move it to the Trash.
How to open an app that hasn’t been notarized or is from an unidentified developer
Running software that hasn’t been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. If you’re certain that an app you want to install is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with, you can temporarily override your Mac security settings to open it.
In macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave, when an app fails to install because it hasn’t been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, it will appear in System Preferences > Security & Privacy, under the General tab. Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.
The warning prompt reappears, and you can click Open.*
The app is now saved as an exception to your security settings, and you can open it in the future by double-clicking it, just as you can any authorized app.
*If you're prompted to open Finder: control-click the app in Finder, choose Open from the menu, and then click Open in the dialog that appears. Enter your admin name and password to open the app.
If you have an unpaid balance in the App Store or iTunes Store, you might see one of these messages:
- 'There is a billing problem with a previous purchase. Please edit your billing info to correct the problem.'
- 'There is a billing problem with a previous purchase. Click Purchase History to view and correct the problem. If you cancel you will not be able to buy until this billing issue has been resolved.'
To resolve this, add a new payment method or update the billing information for your current payment method. Your unpaid balance will be charged. Then you can make other purchases and update your apps, including free apps.
Find out why a payment method can’t be charged
When you view your list of payment methods, you might see red text that summarizes why the payment method couldn't be charged.
If something is wrong with the primary payment method that you have on file, a different payment method will be charged. Learn about how purchases are billed.
Why Does My Mac Keep Verifying Apps Without
If none of your payment methods can be charged, your last order will remain unpaid. View your purchase history to see your recent purchases and find out which order is unpaid.
Update or change your payment method
You can update your billing information or add a payment method in Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or in iTunes on your Mac or PC. If there's an issue with the billing address or expiration date, tap or click the payment method, then update the payment information.
If you change your payment method, use a valid payment method in your country or region with money available on it. To prevent unpaid orders in the future, you can add multiple payment methods to your Apple ID.
If you use Family Sharing and you see a message about a billing problem with a previous purchase, the family organizer must update their billing information.
If you see an unexpected charge
You can request a refund* for a purchase that you don't recognize, but you must pay for the purchase first. You can also cancel a subscription if you don't want to continue it.
Why Does My Mac Keep Verifying Apps Free
*Refund requests must be in the refund period and refunds are not guaranteed. For more information, see the Terms & Conditions.
Get more help
If you disputed a charge from the App Store or iTunes Store, contact your financial institution again to authorize that charge and future purchases from the App Store or iTunes Store.
Why Does My Mac Keep Verifying Apps Without
If you're outside of the United States, you might need to contact your financial institution to allow international purchases.
If you still need help, contact Apple Support.