- The Application Can't Be Opened
- Mac App Is Damaged And Can't Be Opened The Same
- Application Cannot Be Opened Mac
- Mac App Is Damaged And Can T Be Opened
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'?
Note: This also works when a Mac App Store app is reported as being damaged for other reasons. How to fix a damaged app that won't open on the Mac. Reboot your Mac. Open your Applications folder either by using the Finder or searching in Spotlight. Find the damaged app and delete it. Enter your Mac user password to authorize deletion, if requested.
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:
The Application Can't Be Opened
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.
This security setting affects your whole system. To reinstate the earlier security policy, run the following after the software is installed:
and then check your security settings are as you expect.
Mac App Is Damaged And Can't Be Opened The Same
Mac has the security settings to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. When you downloaded an app from the internet or an unknown source other than App Store your Mac may warn you. The first time you launch a third-party app from an identified developer, your Mac asks if you’re sure you want to open it. 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
This message doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong with the app. Sometimes the error message may be incorrect. You can try to allow applications downloaded from anywhere from the system security setting see if you can get rid of the error message.
Access Mac System Preferences, click Security & Privacy > General. Click the lock icon at the bottom-left and enter your password to make changes. Select Anywhere under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.” Enter your password again when prompted. Try to install the app again see if any help.
Can’t find Anywhere under Allow apps downloaded from?
The “Allow applications downloaded from anywhere” option is hidden by default in Gatekeeper since Mac Sierra. Mac does not users to allow all apps to keep their computer safe. Advanced Mac users can reinstate the Anywhere option in Gatekeeper from Terminal.
Open Launchpad on Mac. Select and launch Terminal. Then type in the following command:
Application Cannot Be Opened Mac
sudo spctl --master-disable,
Press Enter or Return on your keyboard. You will be prompted to enter your Mac password. Type in your password and press the Enter or Return on your keyboard again.
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General again, this time you should see the Anywhere option in the Allow apps downloaded from section. You can enable it to allow all apps or allow third-party apps downloaded from anywhere from there.
Mac App Is Damaged And Can T Be Opened
You can also reverse this and go back to the default strict Gatekeeper settings. Also in the Terminal windows, enter and execute the following command string:
sudo spctl --master-enable.