macOS Sequoia Makes It Harder to Override Gatekeeper Security - MacRumors
Skip to Content

macOS Sequoia Makes It Harder to Override Gatekeeper Security

With macOS Sequoia, Apple is making it more difficult for users to override the built-in Gatekeeper security function to install Mac software.

apple security banner
Apple is eliminating the option to Control-click to open Mac software that is not correctly signed or notarized in macOS Sequoia. To install apps that Gatekeeper blocks, users will need to open up System Settings and go to the Privacy and Security section to "review security information" before being able to run the software.

Some macOS Sequoia users have already noticed that the function was removed, but Apple today confirmed that it is no longer available in the update.

Apple recommends that software distributed outside of the Mac App Store be submitted for notarization, a process that scans Developer ID-signed software and performs security checks. Notarized software does not trigger Gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper ensures that Macs only run "trusted" software in order to protect users from malware, viruses, and other security risks. Gatekeeper checks to make sure that software comes from an identified developer and is free from malicious content.

Related Forum: macOS Sequoia

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet

iOS 27 Will Add Two New Apple Wallet Features to Your iPhone

Monday June 1, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by
Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8, and the update will reportedly include two new Apple Wallet features. First, iOS 27 will reportedly let users create their own digital passes by scanning items like movie tickets, concert passes, and gym membership cards. Many apps already offer Apple Wallet passes, but now users will be able to create a custom...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Battery Capacities Allegedly Leaked

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:54 am PDT by
Battery capacities for Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro have allegedly surfaced, and the numbers suggest only a modest increase over the iPhone 17 Pro. According to prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is testing the iPhone 18 Pro with different battery capacities for the China and U.S. versions of the device, similar to last year's iPhone 17 Pro models. The Chinese model is ...
macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

Apple Says macOS 27 Won't Be Compatible With These Macs

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:29 am PDT by
During WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe would be the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. macOS 27 will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. Apple will unveil macOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote this Monday, June 8, and the...

Top Rated Comments

jasnw Avatar
24 months ago
As soon as this starts impacting use of MacPorts and Homebrew and self-written software, this sort of Big Brother protection will move rapidly out of the "mildly annoying" bin into the "hell no" bin.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
24 months ago

Good. Anything to help the tech illiterate gullible keep from compromising themselves. For users who know what they are doing, no big issue at all if they want to install unsigned apps from god knows where. More power to them but no sympathy of they get nailed.
The tech illiterate wouldn’t know about the Control-Click shortcut.

For power users, this is a step back imo.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aiii83 Avatar
24 months ago
One step closer to permanently locking down MacOS, just slowly ease people into the change. A worrying development to be sure, but a fairly obvious one.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadkill401 Avatar
24 months ago
so in other words, Apple wants everyone who writes free software for Mac to have to pay the $99+ yearly to make it just expensive for anyone wanting to write free stuff as a hobby or for the good of the community. If Apple really wanted to make a difference then it would have a free level of developer that allows for a small number of apps to be released for free. Like 10-15 free before you need to pay the $99
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kylelerner Avatar
24 months ago
Quit telling us how we want to use our machines, thanks. Microsoft, too.
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
24 months ago
Boiling the frog one major release at a time.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)