Delete the apps in question from the Applications folder. Empty the trash. In the Mac App Store, make sure you are logged into the store using the Apple ID you routinely use for purchases. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer (Uninstall Program on Mac). It also requires software to be notarized. To open apps safely on macOS Catalina, consider these following tips.
- Mac App Store Download
- Cannot Download Apps From Mac App Store
- Mac App Store Cannot Downloading
- Mac App Store Cannot Downloads
- I want to download apps in the Mac App Store and the apps won't start to download. As you can see in the pictures below, the spinner starts spinning but nothing gets downloaded, the download simply doesn't start. I am logged in with my account. I tried logging out of the App Store and logging in again, restarting the Mac etc, nothing helped.
- Now, use these same process to avert Mac App Store downloads. There is another way you can cancel downloads on your Mac. Simply disconnect your computer from internet → a popup menu will appear on the screen saying “(x) failed to download.” → click on OK.
By Tasnia Salinas, on January 26, 2020, in Mac Uninstaller
Summary: Trying to install an app on macOS Catalina but get an error message saying XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. Check this complete macOS Catalina Problem troubleshooting article.
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User feedback: I'm trying to open a .pkg package from Skype for passcode management on macOS Catalina. When I go to open the package it tell me: 'Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.' I've checked in System Preferences but can't figure it out. Any help is appreciated.
Other Affected Apps:
App Name | Error Message | Status |
---|---|---|
Adobe Creative Cloud | 'com.adobe.acc.installer.v2' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Adobe Flash Player | 'pepperflashplayer.plugin' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Visual Studio Code | Visual Studio Code can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Katalon Studio | 'Katalon Studio' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Java Update | 'Java 8 Update 231' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Android Studio | Android Studio can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Steam | Steam can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Spotify | Spotify can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Skype | Skype can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
VirtualBox | virtualbox.pkg can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Docker | com.docker.vmnetd can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Origin | Origin can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
FireFox | FireFox.app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
League Of Legends | 'League Of Legends' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Java Update | 'Java 8 Update 231' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software. | |
Guild Wars 2 | 'Guild Wars 2 64 bit' can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software |
Diagnosis: Modern macOS, like Mojave and Catalina, includes a technology called Gatekeeper, which is built to help you safely open apps on your Mac. For sure Apple App Store is the best place to get software applications, but in many cases, you'll need to download and install apps out of the store. To distribute apps without App Store, it requires the developer to have valid Apple Developer ID and get their apps notarized. Otherwise, it has large chance that they'll get the following error: 'XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.'
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Table of Content:
Part 1: Open Apps That Apple Cannot Check for Malicious Software
Keep it in mind that, by bypassing this Apple gateway protection method, you may expose your computer and personal information to malware (Check Malware App List on macOS) that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. So make sure that this app you want to install on macOS Catalina is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with. You can temporarily override your Mac security settings so as to run this software that hasn’t been signed and notarized (Learn How To Uninstall Programs on macOS Catalina).
Step 1:
In macOS Catalina (or macOS Mojave), to open an app that fails to be opened because it hasn't been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy:How To Fix App Can't Be Opened on macOS Catalina Step 1 Step 2:
Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.How To Fix App Can't Be Opened on macOS Catalina Step 2 Optional Method:
An alternative method to bypass this error is to click on the “Show in Finder” button > Go to 'Applications' folder to locate the app > Control click or right click on the application file and choose 'Open' option.Optional Method:
You will get a similar error message for malicious software checking like below. However, this time you will see an additional 'Open' button.Control Click App To Open
Get Omni Remover To Uninstall 32-bit Apps in Catalina
Part 2: Additional Tips To Open Apps on macOS Catalina Safely
One more side note is that, Apple designed this Gateway method is for protecting your Mac from malicious malware. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer (Uninstall Program on Mac). It also requires software to be notarized. To open apps safely on macOS Catalina, consider these following tips.
General Tips for Open Apps Safely on macOS Catalina:
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Still get stuck by error: 'XXX can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software'? Here is an alternative method that can fix this issue. In the Finder > Control-click the app DMG/PKG file > choose Open from the menu, and in the dialog that appears, click Open. Enter your admin name and password when prompted. Have other macOS Catalina app not working issue? Try Omni Remover >
Omni Remover
Requirements: OS X 10.8+ , 13.1Mb free space
Version 3.3.2 (January 26, 2020) | Support macOS Catalina | Category: Mac Uninstaller
Version 3.3.2 (January 26, 2020) | Support macOS Catalina | Category: Mac Uninstaller
More Mac App Cleaner and Uninstaller Tips
Tags: Uninstall Office 2011 MacUninstall FirefoxUninstall Kaspersky MacUninstall MacKeeperUninstall Google Earth MacUninstall Steam MacUninstall Adobe Flash MacUninstall Dropbox MacUninstall Skype MacUninstall Teamviewer MacUninstall Sophos Antivirus MacUninstall Norton MacUninstall Soundflower MacUninstall WinZip Mac
So, you’ve decided to download an older version of Mac OS X. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac’s performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you too will need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further down we’ll explain where to get one and what problems you may face down the road.
Mac App Store Download
A list of all Mac OS X versions
We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.
Cheetah 10.0 | Puma 10.1 | Jaguar 10.2 |
Panther 10.3 | Tiger 10.4 | Leopard 10.5 |
Snow Leopard 10.6 | Lion 10.7 | Mountain Lion 10.8 |
Mavericks 10.9 | Yosemite 10.10 | El Capitan 10.11 |
Sierra 10.12 | High Sierra 10.13 | Mojave 10.14 |
Catalina 10.15 |
STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation
Given your Mac isn’t new and is filled with data, you will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the OS itself but also space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory so your apps have “fuel” to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.
Cannot Download Apps From Mac App Store
Note, that it is recommended that you install OS on a clean drive. Next, you will need enough disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:
- Uninstall large unused apps
- Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
- Locate the biggest files on your computer:
Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size
Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.
If you aren’t comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic “room cleaners”. Our favorite is CleanMyMac as it’s most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.
Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.
If you aren’t comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic “room cleaners”. Our favorite is CleanMyMac as it’s most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.4 - 10.8 (free version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)
Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free version)
STEP 2. Get a copy of Mac OS X download
Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That’s why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your computer.
How to download older Mac OS X versions via the App Store
If you once had purchased an old version of Mac OS X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There you’ll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn’t always work that way. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:
- Click the App Store icon.
- Click Purchases in the top menu.
- Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
- Click Download.
This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.
Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple Developer
If you are signed with an Apple Developer account, you can get access to products that are no longer listed on the App Store. If you desperately need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Developer account among other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find 10.3-10.6 OS X operating systems there. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.
Purchase an older version of Mac operating system
You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac OS X directly from Apple. Both will cost you around $20. For the reason of being rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions can only be installed from DVD.
Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.6
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8
The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on top of it.
How to get macOS El Capitan download
Mac App Store Cannot Downloading
If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it’s possible too. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to OS X 10.6.8. So, here are main steps you should take:
1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.
“I can’t download an old version of Mac OS X”
If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don’t expect it to run any OS released prior of that time, because older Apple OS versions simply do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.
But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once again, set up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you will need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using OS X Utilities.
After you’ve completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to do it.
STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive
The following method allows you to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.
- Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
- Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
- Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
- Select external drive as a source.
- Enter your Apple ID.
Now the OS should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, but at this point, you should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is “captured” onto your external drive, you can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.
- Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
- Connect the external drive.
- Go to external drive > OS X Install Data.
Mac App Store Cannot Downloads
Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.
How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions
If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are not satisfied with the experience. You can do it either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS High Sierra
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina
Before you do it, the best advice is to back your Mac up so your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest way to do it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free here).
Visit your local Apple Store to download older OS X version
If none of the options to get older OS X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.