In the Updates section of the Mac App Store, Apple software updates will appear near the top of the page. Usually, the section will say 'Updates are available for your computer,' followed by the names of the available updates, such as OS X Update 10.8.1. Apple has a built-in way to protect you from opening up potentially malicious apps on your computer in Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, and macOS Sierra. This setting, named Gatekeeper, will never stop you from installing apps from the Mac App Store, but it could from anywhere else.
Just the Mac App Store The safest option to choose here would be the 'Mac App Store,' since Apple reviews all apps that are accepted in their store and can remove them quickly if necessary. Basically, you'll know that your Mac will be as free as possible from malware if you use this option only. Mac App Store & Trusted Developers The next option also trusts apps from 'identified developers,' which are basically developers with a unique Developer ID from Apple who have their apps signed digitally. This is the option I use, since Apple can verify that there hasn't been any tampering with the apps since they were signed. Apps from Anywhere The last option, 'Anywhere,' obviously removes Gatekeeper's blocking capabilities on your Mac, letting you install and open any app off the internet, including Automator apps made by individuals. Sometimes these things have malware baked in, so I would recommend using the 'identified developers' option and okay installation of apps missing a Developer ID on a case-by-case basis. Trusting Apps on a Case-by-Case Basis If you have the 'Mac App Store and identified developers' option selected, then whenever you download an app without a Developer ID and try to open it, you'll get the following warning.
'App Name' can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer. Big thanks to for bringing this trick to my attention in the comments below. This is the best way to keep your Mac running malware-free, while still being able to download and use cool apps that haven't been signed yet.
This includes built by regular users to streamline a certain process, like just by dragging and dropping photos into the app. If you were to build an Automator app yourself, Gatekeeper wouldn't block you from opening it since you never downloaded it from the internet, but would. For more information on how Gatekeeper works, check out. Follow Gadget Hacks on, and. Follow WonderHowTo on, and Cover image and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks Related.