How to Disable Gatekeeper on macOS: Complete Guide

Introduction / Why You Need This

Gatekeeper is a built-in macOS security mechanism that verifies the digital signatures of applications and blocks the launch of programs from unknown sources. While this is useful for protection against malicious software, sometimes it is necessary to run specialized, test, or outdated applications that have not passed Apple's verification. In this guide, you will learn how to completely disable Gatekeeper to install and run any software without restrictions.

Requirements / Preparation

Before you begin, ensure that:

• You have macOS Ventura (13.x) or newer installed (the instructions also work on older versions, but the interface may differ).
• You have a user account with administrator privileges.
• You understand the risks: disabling Gatekeeper makes your system vulnerable to malicious software. Disable it only for trusted applications and for the minimal necessary time.
• It is recommended to back up important data using Time Machine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Method 1: Disable via Terminal (Recommended)

This is the primary and most reliable method, working on all versions of macOS.

Step 1: Open Terminal

Press Cmd+Space to invoke Spotlight, type Terminal, and press Enter. Alternatively, go to Applications → Utilities → Terminal.

Step 2: Execute the disable command

Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo spctl --master-disable

The system will prompt for the administrator password. Type it (characters are not displayed) and press Enter.

⚠️ Important: Ensure you trust the sources of the applications you plan to run. Disabling Gatekeeper reduces your system's protection.

Step 3: Check Gatekeeper status

To confirm that Gatekeeper is disabled, run:

spctl --status

If the output is assessments disabled, the disable was successful.

Step 4: Configure settings in System Preferences (Optional)

After disabling via Terminal, an additional option will appear in the security settings:

1. Open System Preferences (or System Settings in newer versions).
2. Go to Security & Privacy.
3. In the Allow apps downloaded from section, the Anywhere option should now be available.
4. If the option is not visible, restart your Mac.

You can now install applications from any source, including those not signed by a developer.

Method 2: Alternative Method via System Preferences (If Available)

In some versions of macOS, the Anywhere option may be hidden but can be activated through hidden settings. However, the Terminal method is more reliable. If you still want to try the GUI method:

1. Open System Preferences → Security & Privacy.
2. Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter the administrator password.
3. Hold the Option (Alt) key and click the Allow button (if present) or check if the Anywhere option has appeared.
4. If not, use the Terminal method.

Verifying the Result

To confirm that Gatekeeper is disabled, try running an application that was previously blocked. For example, download a test application without a signature and attempt to open it. The system should not show a warning about the app being from an unidentified developer.

You can also check the status with the spctl --status command as described above.

Potential Issues

"command not found" error when typing spctl

Ensure you type the command exactly: spctl (no typos). The command is available by default in all macOS versions. If the error persists, restart Terminal or your Mac.

Permission denied error

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. Ensure you are entering the password for a user account that is part of the administrators group (check in System Preferences → Users & Groups).

Gatekeeper re-enabled after a macOS update

After major system updates (e.g., from Ventura to Sonoma), Gatekeeper may automatically re-enable itself. In this case, re-run the sudo spctl --master-disable command.

Application still won't launch

Some applications may have other protection mechanisms (e.g., requirements for a specific macOS version or missing necessary libraries). Ensure the application is compatible with your macOS version. Also, check if it is being blocked by another setting, such as System Integrity Protection (SIP). Disabling SIP is not recommended and requires special steps.

How to temporarily disable Gatekeeper for a single application?

Instead of fully disabling it, you can add an exception for a specific application using xattr -cr /path/to/application. However, this is more complex and does not always work. Fully disabling via spctl is simpler.

How to re-enable Gatekeeper?

To restore protection, run in Terminal:

sudo spctl --master-enable

Or via System Preferences: in the Security & Privacy section, select App Store and identified developers.