---
title: "Open a Program From Unidentified Developer on MacOS"
slug: "open-a-program-from-unidentified-developer-on-macos"
updated: 2026-05-17T17:26:09Z
published: 2026-05-21T21:28:00Z
canonical: "help.8x8.com/open-a-program-from-unidentified-developer-on-macos"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.8x8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Open a Program From Unidentified Developer on MacOS

## Objective

Open a program from an unidentified developer on macOS.

## Applies To

- macOS

## Procedure

This can be done by one of two ways, through System Preferences or bypassing the security on macOS.

### System Preferences

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Select **Security & Privacy.**
3. On the *General* tab, under *Allow apps downloaded from*, select **App Store and identified developers**. **![macos-mojave-system-preferences-security-general-require-disable-dark.jpg](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/9582?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-03T21%3A12%3A43Z&se=2026-11-03T22%3A12%3A43Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=76uuZeZXzgZn0OM1T3iwMhKvDq%2B6i44%2FAfPSYlQtI0c%3D)**

### Bypassing Security Settings

Alternatively, to override your security settings and open the app anyway:

1. In the Finder, locate the app you want to open.

> [!NOTE]
> *Note*:
> 
> *Don’t use Launchpad to do this. Launchpad doesn’t allow you to access the shortcut menu.*
2. Press the **Control (CTRL) key**, then select the app icon.
3. Select **Open** from the shortcut menu.
4. Select **Open**.

The app is saved as an exception to your security settings, and you will be able to open it in the future by double-clicking it, just like any registered app.

## Additional Information

To learn more, visit [**Apple Support**](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202491).