What Apple notarization means, and what Open Anyway does

When you open an app you downloaded, macOS’s Gatekeeper checks who made it before it runs.

Notarized apps

Developers in Apple’s paid Developer Program sign apps with a Developer ID and send them to Apple for notarization, an automated malware scan. Notarized apps open after a single “downloaded from the internet” confirmation.

Apps that aren’t notarized

Apps signed another way, or not at all, are blocked on first launch with a message like Apple could not verify this app is free of malware. That doesn’t mean they contain malware; it means Apple hasn’t scanned them.

Approving one with Open Anyway

1. Try to open the app, then choose Done.
2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
3. Under Security, choose Open Anyway next to the app, and authenticate.

Since macOS 15 Sequoia, this is the only way; the old right-click → Open shortcut no longer skips the check. It approves that app only.

When to stop

If macOS says the app contains malware or will damage your computer, don’t open it. Delete it and download it again from the developer’s own site.

Our case

NotchMind, which I make, is signed with an Apple Development certificate and Hardened Runtime but isn’t notarized yet, so it needs Open Anyway once. See why macOS blocks NotchMind’s first launch and is NotchMind safe?