They’re also sandboxed, although this is a reason why many app developers don’t use the Mac App Store. Gatekeeper knows about three different types of apps: RELATED: How to Install Applications On a Mac: Everything You Need to Know (You may also want to bypass this and run an unsigned app if you’re developing your own apps.) That’s why Apple offers a way to bypass Gatekeeper.
Maybe they haven’t been updated in a while, or maybe the developer just didn’t bother. Some apps available on the web–particularly older ones–just aren’t signed, even if they’re trustworthy.
If it’s not, you’ll see a warning message and your Mac will prevent the application from running.īut not every Mac app is signed. If the application is signed with a valid signature, it’s allowed to run.
Whenever you launch a new application on your Mac, Gatekeeper checks to see that it’s signed with a valid signature.
