When it comes to installation, macOS only allows users to install apps from Apple-verified developers. If the app developer hasn’t registered with Apple, the system will prevent you from installing their program. Instead, you’ll get an error message indicating that you can’t install the app because the developer hasn’t been verified. Although this app blocking system is in place to protect your device from malware, there are ways to fix the unverified developer error message.

Check out why you’re getting this error message and some methods you can use to remedy the problem.

Why Am I Getting an Unverified Developer Error Message?

Apple has a system that requires developers to register with the company and submit their apps for review. After undergoing this process, the developers’ apps will be made available to Apple users. The company has adopted these measures to prevent user devices from getting infected by malicious software.

For a third-party app to be made available on the iOS app store, the developer has to jump through several hoops to satisfy Apple’s requirements. If you try to install an app from a developer who hasn’t registered with Apple, you’ll get an error message. You will also see this message if the developer is registered, but the app itself hasn’t been reviewed and approved by the company.

How to Fix the Unverified Developer Error Message

You can try a few things if you want to download your desired app from the Apple store. When following the tips below, remember that Apple has prohibited downloading the app in question to protect its users. If you want a safe way to install the application, you can try the following methods.

Find a New Version of the App

Apple may be preventing you from installing an app because there is a newer version available. Try searching for an updated version of the app in the Mac App Store and download this version instead.

Find an Alternative App

If the app you’re trying to download is blocked by an error message, try looking for an alternate version from the Mac App Store. You may find an app that performs the same function from a developer who the platform has verified. This was would be a safer alternative than downloading a program that has not been approved.

Override the Security Settings

If you know or have heard of the developer, you may feel that their app is safe to download. In this scenario, you can override Apple’s security settings to install the application on your device. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Locate the app you would like to install and right-click on the app.
2. Tap “Open” from the dropdown menu displayed.
3. Click “Open” again on the security alert that appears.

This method will bypass Apple’s security system, allowing you to install your app.

Bypass the Security Block

You can alter the security setting of your device to install an app from an unverified developer. To do this, follow the steps outlined here:

1. Go to the Apple menu and click “System Preferences,” then “Security & Privacy.”
   
2. Press the “General” tab.
   
3. Tap the lock icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
   
4. Input your username and password in the dialogue box, then hit “Unlock.”
   
5. Select the “App Store and identified developer” button.
   
6. Scroll to the app you want to be installed and tap “Open Anyway.”

The app should now be able to open on your device.

Download the App Using Safari

Attempting to download the app through other browsers like Chrome or Firefox could result in an error message. Try using Safari to get the app instead. The instructions below will help you do that:

1. Delete the app you downloaded using a different browser.
2. Restart your PC and download the app through the Safari browser.
   

You should now be able to open the app on your device.

How to Open an App From an Unverified Developer

The Apple developer identification system is in place to protect users from downloading apps that may contain malware. Through its Gatekeeper program, the company makes it harder for apps of unknown origin to be installed. However, if you’re keen on downloading a particular program even after receiving an error message, the tips below will enable you to do that.

Open an App Not on the App Store

If the macOS app store settings are set as your default, you will see a warning when trying to open an app that’s not on the App Store. Fortunately, you can easily change your settings to enable you to open apps not on the App Store. Doing so should reduce the number of warnings that appear when trying to open a non-Apple app.

1. From the Apple menu, tap “System Preferences.”
   
2. Navigate to “Security & Privacy” and click on the lock icon.
   
3. Enter your password and change the settings in the “Allow apps downloaded from” section.
   

Apple will still warn you when you try to open an app they don’t recognize, but the system will allow you to proceed with the installation.

Open a Blocked App

If macOS stops you from opening an app, the app is not from a known developer. Fortunately, there is a way to bypass the blockage. Here’s how:

1. Go to “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.
   
2. Select “Security & Privacy” then “General.”
   
3. Tap “Open Anyway” to override the temporary blockage of the app.
   
4. Click “Open” to confirm that you want to access the app.

This method will create an exception for the particular app you’ve opened, and you can access it in the future without going through this process.

Allow Apps From Anywhere

Changing your Mac settings to allow you to download apps that are not in the Mac App Store can fix your unverified developer error.

This option used to be available in older Mac devices, but it’s possible to make the feature visible on your PC. Enabling the “Allow apps from anywhere” option is not ideal because there will be no protective barrier to keep your device from downloading malicious software. If you would like to access the feature anyway, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal by typing “terminal.app” into the search bar.
   
2. Input the command below into the terminal window:
   sudo spctl --master-disable
   
3. Hit “Enter” and input your password when prompted.
   
4. Open “System Preferences” then “Security & Privacy.”
   
5. Click the “Allow app from anywhere” option that will now be visible.
   

You should now be able to download and install your app without receiving an unverified developer error.

Take the Plunge

To protect its users, Apple has set up a system that prevents unverified developers and their apps from being downloaded onto Apple devices. While this s a safety precaution to lockout malware, you may feel the need to bypass it to install the app in question. If this is the situation you find yourself in, our guide has shown you different methods of bypassing Apple’s security measures. Note that it’s crucial to proceed with caution to prevent your device from becoming corrupted.

Have you encountered the “Cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified” error? If so, what did you do to bypass the problem? Let us know in the comments section below.