Where Do Downloaded Apps Go On Mac
The Mac App Store revolutionises the way apps are installed on a computer — it happens in one step. Enter the same iTunes password you use to buy apps and music on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or iPod touch. Within seconds, your new app flies to Launchpad, ready to go. So you can spend more time enjoying new apps and less time installing them. Dec 12, 2016 In theory, Gatekeeper protects your mac from apps that potentially have adverse affects. It works by not allowing unsigned apps from downloading and opening on your mac. Apple prefers that all 3rd party apps go through its signing process. Developers register with Apple and a unique Developer ID identifies each developer. Jan 17, 2020 How to Install Apps On a Mac: From the Web In case you have downloaded the app from the internet, then installation process will differ for various apps. The reason is all those apps you will download from the internet will be downloaded in various formats such as.zip.dmg and.pkg. Aug 21, 2012 Photos for Mac Speciality level out of ten: 0. Question: Q: Question: Q: Where do downloaded apps go? If I download an app on my iPhone does that app get downloaded to my iPad and displayed as such on a page? The reason I ask is that some apps appear on my iPad from my iPhone and vice versa but others don't appear at all? Apps can transform the way you do anything you’re passionate about, whether that’s creating, learning, playing games, or just getting more done. And the App Store is the best place to discover new apps that let you pursue your passions in ways you never thought possible.
Dec 31, 2014 I read up on the 'hidden app' bug that some, including me, were using as a feature to hide certain apps. A reboot usually brings it out of app limbo, if that's what's happened. May 25, 2015 Basic: Visit the /Applications/ Folder in OS X to See Installed Mac Apps. The simplest approach to see what apps are on a Mac is to visit the /Applications folder, this will show all apps that users have installed through the App Store, that came bundled with the Mac, and that have been installed through most package managers, and by user drag & drop.
How to get updates for macOS Mojave or later
If you've upgraded to macOS Mojave or later, follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
- If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click ”More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install.
- When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime.
To find updates for iMovie, Garageband, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and other apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, open the App Store on your Mac, then click the Updates tab.
To automatically install macOS updates in the future, including apps that were downloaded separately from the App Store, select ”Automatically keep my Mac up to date.” Your Mac will notify you when updates require it to restart, so you can always choose to install those later.
How to get updates for earlier macOS versions
If you're using an earlier macOS, such as macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or earlier,* follow these steps to keep it up to date:
- Open the App Store app on your Mac.
- Click Updates in the App Store toolbar.
- Use the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
- When the App Store shows no more updates, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are up to date. That includes Safari, iTunes, iBooks, Messages, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and FaceTime. Later versions may be available by upgrading your macOS.
To automatically download updates in the future, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click App Store, then select ”Download newly available updates in the background.” Your Mac will notify you when updates are ready to install.
* If you're using OS X Lion or Snow Leopard, get OS X updates by choosing Apple menu > Software Update.
How to get updates for iOS
Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS.
Learn more
- Learn how to upgrade to the latest version of macOS.
- Find out which macOS your Mac is using.
- You can redownload apps that you previously downloaded from the App Store.
- Your Mac doesn't automatically download large updates when it's using a Personal Hotspot.
Maybe this one change in macOS Sierra slipped by until you needed it most. Or maybe you didn’t discovered this little shift until you tried to install a favorite app that you didn’t download from the mac app store. Whatever the manner, you learn the hard way that macOS Sierra’s made invisible the usual method to open apps downloaded from anywhere!
The settings was until recently found in the General tab of the Security & Privacy System Preference. But no more, not with macOS. So if you really need that app and can’t figure out how to get it open, it’s frustrating. No, it’s very frustrating that our macs just aren’t working the way the used to!
Since OSX Lion, Apple’s mac operating system includes a security tool named Gatekeeper. This feature prevents downloads of software and apps from unidentified developers. Gatekeeper assumes the app is trouble when the app you want to download is not signed with Apple. And it does not allow that app onto your mac computer. For most mac users, this is a very good thing and helps keep their computers safe and secure. But their are a lot of us iFolk who absolutely need and want the ability to download AND open apps downloaded from anywhere.
Contents
- 1 So What is this Gatekeeper Anyway?
- 3 How-To Open apps Not Available in the app Store
- 4 Terminal Is At Your Command to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
- 5 A Word For the Wise
So What is this Gatekeeper Anyway?
In theory, Gatekeeper protects your mac from apps that potentially have adverse affects. It works by not allowing unsigned apps from downloading and opening on your mac. Apple prefers that all 3rd party apps go through its signing process. Developers register with Apple and a unique Developer ID identifies each developer. This ID is then used in testing and validating the app for Apple products. Apple reviews, approves, and accepts all signed apps. Once accepted, the app then officially supports Gatekeeper. And users are able to download and open these apps via the mac app store.
Apple views this method as the safest and most reliable to download new apps onto your mac computers. They believe that downloading apps exclusively from the mac app store translates into reduced hazard. And since Apple’s reviewed the app, if there’s ever a problem, Apple quickly removes it from the mac app store.
Consequently, if an app is developed by an unknown developer with no Developer ID, Gatekeeper blocks that app from being installed and opened. However, there are a lot of great apps out there, particularly open source apps, that for numerous reasons are not available via the mac app store. Many of these third-party apps are thoroughly tested and have worked on macs and other computers for ages. Either by choice or chance, these apps are not currently available in the mac app store.
What About the mac app store?
It’s easy to think that the mac app store works exactly like the app store for iPhones and other iDevices. But not so! Since the mac app store opened, mac computers have always allowed you to install applications not available in the store. Before there was a mac app store (2011), installing applications via third-party websites or installation discs was the norm. Plus, developers must pay a percentage to Apple when you purchase apps from the mac app store. When purchased directly through the developer, there is no additional fees for Apple, keeping costs lower for all of us users. So for these reasons and more, many apps are not included in the mac app store.
Mac users continue (and will continue) to get apps directly from developers sites or old-school via installation discs. The long and short is that the mac app store is not the only way to get apps. So getting around this macOS default is pretty important!
Where is Setting to Open Apps Downloaded from Anywhere?
In previous versions of its mac operating system, there was a checkbox option in System Preferences>Security & Privacy allowing you to download apps from anywhere. However, macOS Sierra introduced a Gatekeeper that’s a heck of a lot more strict than in the past. In this newest os incarnation, Gatekeeper defaults to only allowing options for apps downloaded from the app store or the app store and identified developers. So for us iFolk that want or need to download an app from a source we trust but Apple currently does not trust (or identify), what to do?
We need that third option, the option to “allow apps downloaded from anywhere” that seemingly disappeared with our update to macOS Sierra.
Luckily, there are a couple of ways to circumvent Gatekeeper’s defaults so when we want or need to, we can indeed open apps downloaded from anywhere.
So let’s get to it!
How-To Open apps Not Available in the app Store
The Super Easy Way to Bypass Apple Defaults and Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
So if your trust the app and its unidentified developer, then there is a really easy way to open that app.
And it’s surprising how simple this method is and basically involves a single click. To selectively bypass Gatekeeper, just Control Click (or Right Click) and choose Open from the menu options. A message appears warning you that the app is from an unidentified developer and asks if you are sure you want to open it? If you are confident in the app’s source, click Open. That’s it!
This option works for single apps. It does update your computer’s internal list of identified developers so in the future, macOS recognizes the developer as “identified.” But this method does not make universal updates to your Security & Privacy System options. It’s a one and done option, for times when you want or need to download and open a particular app that is currently NOT available in the app store. (i.e. the app is not signed.)
Another, Slightly Longer Way to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
Assuming you trust the app, after downloading move it to your Applications folder. Now, try to open it. You likely see a warning that the app “can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.” Select OK. But this does not actually open the app.
Now, go to System Preferences>Security & Privacy and select the General tab. Look at the section “Allow apps downloaded from:” and see if the app you just attempted to open is listed with a button “Open Anyway.” If so, click this button to open that app. Be aware that the “Open Anyway” button is only available for around 1 hour after you first try to open the app.
macOS takes note of that app and developer and add it to the operating system’s list of identified developers (for this mac only.) If you ever download another app from this same developer, macOS checks this internal list. If the developer is listed, macOS open any app from that developer.
About the Unidentified Warning Message
When you open an app that is not registered with Apple by an identified developer, you see a warning message box. Seeing this message does not mean there’s something wrong with that particular app. Developers wrote many of these unidentified apps before developer ID registration began. And others choose not to register for various reasons from cost (Apple charges a yearly developer fee) to conviction.
The unidentified developer warning means that the app you want to open has not been reviewed by Apple. Consequently, macOS is not able to check and verify if that app has been modified or broken since it was released.
Once you open an unidentified app, that app is saved as an exception to your security settings. From now on, you open it by double-clicking as normal.
Terminal Is At Your Command to Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
Use Terminal to update our Security & Privacy options to include the checkbox allowing us to open apps downloaded from anywhere. And it’s actually pretty simple to make this modification.
Although simple, for the average mac user this step is not recommended . Before you download and open an app that Apple does not currently recognize or identify, make sure you (or your company) fully trust the app’s source and its validity. Modifying this security setting puts your computer at potential risk and makes your mac more vulnerable to some malware and other malicious junkware. So, proceed with caution and double (or triple) check the trust factor of any app before downloading and opening.
Allow and Open apps Downloaded from Anywhere
Where Do Downloaded Apps Go On Macbook
- Quit System Preferences and all open applications
- Open Terminal
- Located in /Applications/Utilities/ folder
- Type in sudo spctl –master-disable
- Press Return
- Type your admin password to confirm
- Open System Preferences>Security & Privacy
- Select General Tab
- Verfiy that “Allow apps downloaded from:” now shows “Anywhere” as an option
Now, you are able to install and open apps downloaded from anywhere under macOS Sierra. Using this command turns Gatekeeper off and allows apps from anywhere including unidentified developers. Apple issues warnings that these unidentified developer (unsigned) apps possibly make your mac more vulnerable to malware and junkware.
Reverse to Original macOS App Settings
To go back to the macOS default settings, repeat the steps above substituting step 3 with enableinstead of disable at the end of the command.
So step 3 reads like this:
sudo spctl –master-enable
This returns macOS Gatekeeper back to its strict default and disallows unsigned apps from downloading and opening.
Checking the status of Gatekeeper
To check the status of Gatekeeper on your mac without opening System Preferences, it’s as simple as one command. Open Terminal and type the following command: spctl –status. Then press the return key. And you get a response of either “assessments enabled,” meaning Gatekeeper is ON and ACTIVE. Or you see “disabled,” meaning Gatekeeper is OFF and INACTIVE.
File comparison free download - Android File Transfer, File Juicer, Prism Free Video File Converter for Mac, and many more programs. File Compare 1.1 for Mac is free to download from our software library. The software lies within System Tools, more precisely File Managers. The latest setup file that can be downloaded is 53 KB in size. This free Mac app is a product of Softhing. Free file comparison software mac.
A Word For the Wise
When you receive the message “app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer,” take a close look at that app and ensure that you trust its source before downloading and opening. This warning is there to protect your computer and you from harm and malware, so don’t just simply ignore it. Be mindful and careful when downloading apps not currently offered on the mac app store.
With that said, there are a host of wonderful third party apps that are not currently offered in the mac app store. Many of these apps are under review and not yet accepted. Still others do not seek approval based on conviction and values. So don’t discount a good app just because it’s not offered in the mac app store. Do your research and check out an app’s source before deciding to download or not. Think of great apps like NeoOffice that for the longest time wasn’t available on the mac app store but now is!
For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!
Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.
Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.