Fix "App is Damaged and Can't Be Opened" on Mac: Terminal Commands (Gatekeeper)
Fix "App is damaged and can't be opened" on Mac: Terminal Commands (Gatekeeper Settings)
Downloaded a third-party app and macOS is telling you to "move it to the Trash"? The file isn't actually broken. Learn how to bypass Apple's security blocks using the Terminal.
When installing third-party software (like Adobe installers or patches) outside the Mac App Store, many users encounter a frustrating warning: "XXX is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash."
In most cases, the file is perfectly fine. This is simply macOS's Gatekeeper and quarantine mechanism forcefully blocking an app that hasn't been signed by an identified Apple developer. You can easily fix this by executing two simple commands in the Terminal.
Command 1: Allow Apps Downloaded from "Anywhere"
Since macOS Sierra, Apple has hidden the "Anywhere" option in System Settings > Privacy & Security. We need to use the Terminal to bring it back.
Execute the unlock command:
- Click the magnifying glass in the top-right corner (or press
Command + Space), search for and open Terminal. - Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:
- Your Mac will prompt you for your login password. (Note: Characters will not show up on the screen as you type. This is normal). Type it and press Enter.
- Now, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and verify that the "Anywhere" option is now visible and selected.
Command 2: Remove the Quarantine Attribute (Crucial Step)
If the app still says it's damaged after enabling "Anywhere", it means macOS has tagged the file with a com.apple.quarantine extended attribute. We must manually remove this tag using the xattr command.
Execute the cleanup command:
- Open Terminal again.
- Type the following command, making sure to add a SPACE at the very end:
- Open Finder and locate the app that is giving you the error.
- Drag and drop the application directly into the Terminal window. The Terminal will auto-fill the path (e.g.,
sudo xattr -cr /Applications/Photoshop.app). - Press Enter and type your password to confirm.
Once completed, double-click the application again. The error pop-up will vanish, and the app will open normally!
Still Risking Your Mac with Pirated Apps?
The main reason you have to bypass Gatekeeper with Terminal commands is that you are installing unauthorized, "cracked" software. Modifying these security attributes exposes your Mac to severe malware, ransomware, and crypto-mining scripts.
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