macOS Sequoia Makes It Harder to Override Gatekeeper Security

With macOS Sequoia, Apple is making it more difficult for users to override the built-in Gatekeeper security function to install Mac software.

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Apple is eliminating the option to Control-click to open Mac software that is not correctly signed or notarized in ‌macOS Sequoia‌. To install apps that Gatekeeper blocks, users will need to open up System Settings and go to the Privacy and Security section to "review security information" before being able to run the software.

Some ‌macOS Sequoia‌ users have already noticed that the function was removed, but Apple today confirmed that it is no longer available in the update.

Apple recommends that software distributed outside of the Mac App Store be submitted for notarization, a process that scans Developer ID-signed software and performs security checks. Notarized software does not trigger Gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper ensures that Macs only run "trusted" software in order to protect users from malware, viruses, and other security risks. Gatekeeper checks to make sure that software comes from an identified developer and is free from malicious content.

Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia

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Top Rated Comments

flexwithmarius Avatar
8 months ago

Good. Anything to help the tech illiterate gullible keep from compromising themselves. For users who know what they are doing, no big issue at all if they want to install unsigned apps from god knows where. More power to them but no sympathy of they get nailed.
The tech illiterate wouldn’t know about the Control-Click shortcut.

For power users, this is a step back imo.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasnw Avatar
8 months ago
As soon as this starts impacting use of MacPorts and Homebrew and self-written software, this sort of Big Brother protection will move rapidly out of the "mildly annoying" bin into the "hell no" bin.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aiii83 Avatar
8 months ago
One step closer to permanently locking down MacOS, just slowly ease people into the change. A worrying development to be sure, but a fairly obvious one.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadkill401 Avatar
8 months ago
so in other words, Apple wants everyone who writes free software for Mac to have to pay the $99+ yearly to make it just expensive for anyone wanting to write free stuff as a hobby or for the good of the community. If Apple really wanted to make a difference then it would have a free level of developer that allows for a small number of apps to be released for free. Like 10-15 free before you need to pay the $99
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kylelerner Avatar
8 months ago
Quit telling us how we want to use our machines, thanks. Microsoft, too.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MilaM Avatar
8 months ago
Boiling the frog one major release at a time.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)