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How to Install App from Unidentified Developer in Mac OS X | Open Apps from Unidentified Developer in Mac

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Many times we need to install apps which are not present on the Apple Mac OS X Store. In such cases we either download the app from external sources on the web. These apps prompt errors such as”app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” when we try to install them. In this tutorial we will show you two ways to Open & install Applications or Programs from Unidentified Developer in Mac OS X. This method has been tried & tested on Mountain Line, Mavericks, Yosemite as well as El Capitano too.

Error Dialogue box

Pre-Requisites : 

  • The Mac App package either in the .dmg , .pkg or .app file Format.
    • Non-Guest User account access in Mac OS X (Requires any User account with app-install permissions or Administrator account).

Method – 1 Method to Install App from Unidentified Developer Using Command Click .

  • Navigate & Open the Directory where your App package is located using Finder.
  • Now, When you try to  Open it by double clicking the application file it will show an error as shown in the alongside image of “Unidentified Developer”.
  • In order to Bypass this error, Simply “press the control key and click your mouse button” or “right-click” the app file to open the app context menu as shown below –

    Context Menu after control-click

    In the menu select “Open”.

  • After you click on Open it will create an exception in the Security preferences for the selected app and you will be able to Open & Install your favorite app! without modifying the Security Process at all.
  • This is perhaps the most easy way of Installing & Open an app from an unidentified developer.

 

Method – 2 Creating a Manual Exception for the App in System Preferences 

The first two steps in this method are same as that of the first one –

  • Navigate & Open the Directory where your App package is located using Finder.
  • Now, When you try to  Open it by double clicking the application file it will show an error as “unable to open app from Unidentified Developer”.
  • Now Click on the “Apple icon” on the toolbar and select “System Preferences” as shown below –

    System Preferences

    In the System Preferences Window select “Security & Privacy” as shown below –

    Security & Privacy

     

  • Now, inside the Security & Privacy Window click on “General” tab at the top.
  • Here in General tab, Search for “Open Anyway” button under the label “Allow Apps from”. You will find the name of the app which you recently failed to install/open.
  • Now simply “Click On Open Anyway”. Congratulations! Your app would be successfully Opened & Installed on your Mac OS X.

Geeky Note – All Apps for Mac OS X need to be signed by Apple which is a paid process, and all developers cannot afford them. Hence, they directly distribute their app packages which are marked as “unidentified” by Apple. Please do check the App Source before you trust your downloaded app/Program.

 

 

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