Mac: Temporarily disable Gatekeeper in Mac 10.8 (Mountain Lion) through Mac 10.11 (El Capitan)

Gatekeeper makes it safer to download apps by protecting you from inadvertently installing malware on your Mac. Learn more about Gatekeeper.

To allow applications to be downloaded

  1. Open System Preferences, which is found in the dock
    Image of system preferences icon on dock
  2. In the Personal section, click Security & Privacy
    Image of security & privacy window
  3. Select the General tab
    1. Click the lock located in the lower left of your screen to disable Gatekeeper
      Image of security & privacy locked
    2. In the System Preferences is trying to unlock… window
      1. Enter the Name and Password you use to log in to your computer
      2. Click Unlock
        Image of trying to unlock dialog box
    3. In the Allow applications downloaded from: section, select Anywhere
      Image of anywhere selection
    4. In the Choosing “Anywhere” makes your Mac less secure” window, click Allow From Anywhere. Changing this setting will make your Mac less secure; however, after you have downloaded the file(s) you need, we recommend you change this setting back to the default by following the instructions found below.
      Image of allow from anywhere selection
  4. Download the file(s) you need
  5. Leave the System Preferences – Security & Privacy window open to change your settings back to the recommended default settings

To change back to the default settings

  1. Go back to the System Preferences – Security & Privacy window
  2. In the Allow applications downloaded from section, select Mac App Store and identified developers
  3. Click the lock to enable Gatekeeper
    Image of change to default settings
  4. Close the window

Updated: 3/4/2021