In Mojave, installed software can't be opened...

[Sy1vi@]

I'm trying to install/open non Apple identified software on my late 2017 I Mac but OS X tells me the software can't be opened ... ID cannot be confirmed. I'm running Mojave 10.14.6.

Despite Preference 'Security & Privacy having an "Open anyway" button, the System still won't allow the installed software to be opened.

Can anyone suggest a workaround, please? Perhaps a command in Terminal would overcome the issue. With thanks

sincerely, Sy1vi@

 

[chscag]

The dialog is clearly telling you that your System Preference, Security & Privacy setting is set to only allow apps from the App Store and Identified Developers.

You need to change that setting in Security & Privacy to "anywhere". Make sure you click the lock at the bottom of the preference pane and enter your Admin Password. Otherwise no changes will take place.

 

[Sy1vi@]

I have unlocked the lock and entered my Admin Password. However, still no changes are possible. The only options remain

"allow apps downloaded from:
App Store
App Store and identified developers"

No "Anywhere" button appears.

 

[chscag]

Do you by chance have FileVault turned on?

In any event you can also force Gatekeeper off with this terminal command:

sudo spctl --master-disable

Once the app is downloaded and you have installed it, you can turn Gatekeeper back on with this command:

sudo spctl --master-enable

 

[Nermal]

Instead of double-clicking the app, right-click it and choose Open. That should give you an option to continue anyway.

 

[chrfr]

The dialog is clearly telling you that your System Preference, Security & Privacy setting is set to only allow apps from the App Store and Identified Developers.

You need to change that setting in Security & Privacy to "anywhere". Make sure you click the lock at the bottom of the preference pane and enter your Admin Password. Otherwise no changes will take place.

It is not necessary to select "anywhere" (which is not shown as an option anyway, because it weakens security.) The process of right clicking and selecting "open" as described in post 5 of this thread works just fine when trying to open an unsigned app.

 

[DeltaMac]

It is not necessary to select "anywhere" (which is not shown as an option anyway, because it weakens security.) The process of right clicking and selecting "open" as described in post 5 of this thread works just fine when trying to open an unsigned app.

Yes, I agree, that's the workaround that OP was asking about.
And, that is (usually) only needed once, the first time you launch a new app. Second launch should be normal double-click, or whatever process you would normally use to launch other apps.

 

[Fishrrman]

Running this command in terminal will SOLVE your problems -- GUARANTEED:
sudo spctl --master-disable

One of the things I do on all my Macs is to DISABLE gatekeeper, as much as it can be disabled.
Doing fine here.

 

[chrfr]

Running this command in terminal will SOLVE your problems -- GUARANTEED:
sudo spctl --master-disable

One of the things I do on all my Macs is to DISABLE gatekeeper, as much as it can be disabled.
Doing fine here.

Without a further explanation from you, this is terrible advice. You're telling people to turn off Gatekeeper as if it has no potential ramifications. Gatekeeper is a key part of Apple's security.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Without a further explanation from you, this is terrible advice"

It is MY advice, and I stand by it.

I have never had problems with any downloaded app... anything at all... running this way.

Indeed, before "Gatekeeper", running "my way" was the default for downloaded applications, from the early days of the Mac.

Running the terminal command
sudo spctl --master-disable
... simply restores "the third option" that was always there until Apple chose to remove it.
Do you not remember back then when it was previously there in the Security pane?

Over the course of 34 years of Mac use, I've never bothered much with "virus protection", and have never had "a virus" (per se). I did discover some malware/crapware once, by running MalwareBytes (the free version) which got rid of it quickly. In that case, Gatekeeper would have done nothing, because even with Gatekeeper on I would have done what needs to be done to "get around it" and run the software anyway (if it indeed WAS a software application that served as the vector for the malware/crapware/adware).

The OP wrote in post 1 above:
"Despite Preference 'Security & Privacy having an "Open anyway" button, the System still won't allow the installed software to be opened."

He wanted a solution.
I offered it.