Mac OS users are commonly asking for a question how to deal with an application error, which says: “Name.app is damaged and can’t be opened. Delete Name.app and download it again from the App Store.” It occurs when a Mac owner downloads a random application from Mac App Store and attempts to run it.
This article introduces common causes for the “App is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the Trash. ” error and 9 solutions to fix it.
Are you experiencing this issue also? Please note that attempting to open some files may also produce this error message. If you see this warning message and can’t install an app, here is why and how to fix it:
See also: Mac App Store: An Error Occurred During Purchase
Why?
Your macOS system includes a security feature, called Gatekeeper, that can block the installation of applications downloaded from sources other than the Mac App Store or from a list of “identified developers”. This is to prevent you from installing “malware” – malicious software on your Mac.
A huge digital rights management blunder in Apple's Mac App Store on Wednesday, November 11th has rendered some apps unusable. When opening certain apps, the following message could be displayed: 'App Name' is damaged and can't be opened. Delete 'App Name' and download it again from the App. When you try to install an app that isn’t registered with Apple by an identified developer, or install third-party apps from unidentified developers, you can refer to this guide to install apps from unidentified developers on Mac. Sometimes Apple may tell you the app is damaged and can’t be opened, you should eject the disk image.
See also: How Do I Password Protect My Files & Folders In macOS?
If you run into this issue meaning if you see the “damaged” label, it is highly likely that the app you are trying to download has been altered by something other than the developer. It is also mean that the app you want to install is from an identified developer. So your Mac is trying yo warn you. You may think that the app is developed by a trusted source. However make sure that you are downloading the app directly from the developer website only. Do not use a third party source. If you still think, the app will not hurt your Mac upon installing, please read how you can install it below:
How
1-You may want to re-download the app. It is possible that the app might be damaged during the downloading process. Also, please make sure that you download directly from the developers website. As stated above, do now download from any other source. For instance, do not download the Google Chrome app from any other source than Google itself.
2-It is known that sometimes macOS gives this error mistakenly. Sometimes installing some trusted apps may be prevented. You may want to simply restart your Mac. And further, on your Mac, go to System Preferences > Software Update and check to see if there is an update available.
3-You may want to temporarily disable Gatekeeper. This was easy but newer version of macOS do not have the option of changing this easily by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and selecting the Anywhere option. However you can still do that using the Terminal app. Here is how:
- Launch the Terminal app (Applications > Utilities), you may also use Spotlight to search and launch it. (Spotlight not working?)
- Enter the following and hit enter
- sudo spctl –master-disable
- You will have to enter your password
- And you are done. Now you can install and open apps from unidentified developers.
If you want to disable this option after you are done, here is how you can do that:
- Open the Terminal app
- This time enter the following command hit enter
- sudo spctl –master-enable
- Enter your password and you are done
You can also disable this by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy on your Mac. Simply select the “App Store” option or “App Store and Identified Developers” option. However, a few users have reported that even changing this setting does not stick meaning does not work. So you may have to do this via Terminal as explained above.
See also: How To Restore Your Mac To Factory Settings
Please do not randomly download software using this tip to bypass Gatekeeper, you may damage your system. And it could be really difficult to clean your system (e.g., How To Remove Weknow.ac Malware).
Home → CLC FAQ - Basics: Installation, data, system resources → Installation and upgrades → What does it mean if a Mac installer says it 'is damaged and can't be opened'?
If you are working on Mac OS X 10.9.2 or newer, you may see a message about a software installer being damaged when you try to launch it. e.g. saying the software 'is damaged and can't be opened. You should eject the disk image' or that the software 'is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash.'
Newer Mac systems include a security setting that can block the installation of apps downloaded from places other than the Mac App Store. To install QIAGEN software, you need to allow apps downloaded from identified developers as well the Mac App Store. Do this by adjusting your security settings:
- Go to System Preferences | Security & Privacy
- Click on the padlock icon at the lower-left corner to enable you to make changes.
- Choose 'App Store and identified developers'
We sign our software with a Developer ID from Apple. With the above setting chosen, you should be able to install our software. You will see a message warning you that the software has been downloaded from the internet, and asking if you wish to open it. This is expected, and you can proceed with installing the software.
Security settings affect your whole system. If you generally do not want to allow apps downloaded from anywhere except the App Store, then change the security settings back to the desired setting after you have finished installing your QIAGEN software.
If you continue to see this issue with the 'Allow apps downloaded from' option set to 'App Store and identified developers', please report this problem by emailing AdvancedGenomicsSupport@qiagen.com Please include the full name of the installer, when you downloaded it and the URL of the page you visited to download it from.
If you wish to proceed with installation anyway
If you are certain you obtained the installer via official channels and thus wish to proceed with installation anyway, information on how to do so is below.
Mac OS X 10.9.2 to 10.11.x
In Mac OS X 10.9.2 and newer, there is a security setting that must be changed so that the downloaded installer can be opened. To change this setting on Mac 10.9.2 through 10.11.x, please take the following steps:
- Go to System Preferences | Security & Privacy
- Click on the padlock icon at the lower-left corner to to enable you to make changes.
- Select the option for Allow apps downloaded from: to Anywhere
- Close the security settings window
- Double click on the installer file again and click the Open button when prompted.
We recommend reverting your security settings after installation of the software is complete.
Mac OS Sierra 10.12.x
The premise is the same as shown for Mac OS 10.9.2 through 10.11.x except that the steps to enable the 'Anywhere' option are different.
If you view your security settings under System Preferences | Security & Privacy, you will see there is no Anywhere option.
To enable the 'Anywhere' option, run the following command in a terminal:
If you go back to System Preferences | Security & Privacy, you will see the Anywhere option enabled. Unlock the edit option by clicking on the padlock icon at the bottom of the window to change to Anywhere option.
At this point, you should be able to install the software.
Mac Os Sierra App Is Damaged
This security setting affects your whole system. To reinstate the earlier security policy, run the following after the software is installed:
App Is Damaged And Can T Be Opened
and then check your security settings are as you expect.