How to Disable Gatekeeper on Mac and Enable the ‘Anywhere’ Option for Installing Any Software

By default, your Mac prioritizes security by restricting the software you can install and run. This built-in protection, known as Gatekeeper, helps safeguard your Mac from malware and unauthorized applications. You can customize this protection by selecting trusted sources for app installations.

• App Store: Restricts app installations to those downloaded exclusively from the App Store.
• App Store & Known Developers: Allows apps from both the App Store and developers verified by Apple.

To adjust these settings, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and select either App Store or App Store & Known Developers under the Allow Applications option. If needed, you can disable Gatekeeper to install and run any software on your Mac, bypassing these restrictions. Disabling Gatekeeper is straightforward and involves a simple Terminal command.

However, some macOS Sequoia users have reported encountering an error message that states: “Globally disabling the assessment system needs to be confirmed in System Settings.” when attempting to disable Gatekeeper, as you can see below:

In this article, I will explain how you can turn off Gatekeeper and restore the Anywhere option under the Allow Applications settings, enabling you to install any software on your Mac.

Enabling the “Anywhere” option provides flexibility to install any software, including legacy or niche applications and tools for development or testing, without restrictions. However, it also increases the risk of malware, system instability, and potential security threats, as apps from unverified sources are not automatically checked for safety. There are several effective methods to safeguard your Mac against malware. You can also check our article: Does your Mac Need Antivirus?

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Gatekeeper and Enable the “Anywhere” Option

Follow these steps carefully and in the exact order:

1. Open System Settings:
   Launch System Settings on your Mac.
2. Go to Privacy & Security:
   Navigate to Privacy & Security in System Settings and leave the window open in the background.
3. Open Terminal:
   Open Terminal in a separate window. Do not close the System Settings window.
4. Run the Command to Disable Gatekeeper:
   In Terminal, type the following command and press Enter. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type your password and press Enter:

   sudo spctl --master-disable

5. Refresh the Privacy & Security Page:
   In System Settings, navigate out of the Privacy & Security page (for example, click on Lock Screen), then return to the Privacy & Security page.
6. Enable the Anywhere Option:
   • Scroll to the bottom of the Privacy & Security page.
   • Under Allow Applications From, you will now see the Anywhere option.
   • Select Anywhere and confirm by typing your administrator password if prompted.

How to Re-enable Gatekeeper (Optional):

If you decide to restore Gatekeeper’s default settings and re-enable the restrictions, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac.
2. Run the following command:

   sudo spctl --master-enable

3. This will re-enable Gatekeeper, restricting app installations to trusted sources: the App Store or App Store & Known Developers.

By following these steps, you can easily enable or disable Gatekeeper on your Mac, giving you control over the apps you choose to install. If you encounter any issues, such as error messages while disabling Gatekeeper, ensure you confirm the action in System Settings, as required in macOS Sequoia.

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