macOS includes a highly aggressive security feature called “Gatekeeper.” Whenever you download an application from the internet and attempt to open it, Gatekeeper intercepts the launch. It checks the application’s digital signature against Apple’s developer database and verifies that the software has been explicitly “notarized” (scanned for malware by Apple). If the app lacks a recognized signature, macOS completely blocks it from opening, displaying a menacing warning that the app is “damaged and can’t be opened” or that it “cannot be checked for malicious software.”
While Gatekeeper is essential for protecting average users from trojans, it is a massive roadblock for developers, security researchers, and users of niche, open-source software. Many independent developers release incredibly useful tools via GitHub without paying the $99/year fee required for an Apple Developer ID. If you rely on unsigned, compiled binaries or beta software, the constant requirement to manually bypass Gatekeeper by right-clicking and selecting “Open” (and sometimes resorting to stripping quarantine attributes) is infuriating. To reclaim total control over what software you are permitted to run, you must completely disable Gatekeeper.
Disabling Gatekeeper Globally via Terminal
Apple intentionally removed the graphical “Anywhere” option from the System Settings menu years ago to prevent users from accidentally disabling the protection. You must use the command line to force the option back into existence.
- Open the Terminal application (press Command + Space, type
Terminal, and hit Enter). - Paste the following command exactly as written and press Enter:
sudo spctl --master-disable - You will be prompted to enter your Mac’s administrator password. (The text will not appear on the screen as you type; this is normal). Type the password and press Enter.
- The command will execute silently.
Verifying the Change in System Settings
You can verify that the command successfully neutered Gatekeeper by checking your privacy preferences.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen and select System Settings….
- Scroll down the left-hand navigation sidebar and click on Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down the main panel until you find the section labelled “Security.”
- Under the heading “Allow applications downloaded from,” you will notice a third option has miraculously appeared: Anywhere.
- Ensure the Anywhere option is selected.
Warning: Your Mac is now completely unprotected against malicious software payloads. If you download a compromised application, macOS will execute it immediately without scanning it. You should only maintain this setting if you exclusively download software from trusted repositories and understand the security implications of running unsigned binaries.