How to Fix the Error: “The Application Does Not Have Permission to Open (null)”
Reading Time: 3 minutes After updating your Mac to the latest macOS, you may encounter an error when trying to open certain apps, stating either: “The application ‘Dock‘ does not have permission to open (null)” or “The application ‘Finder‘ does not have permission to open (null).” This issue may occur due to corrupted system permissions, incomplete updates, or the implementation of stricter Gatekeeper policies designed to enhance macOS security. I included the error messages below:
If you’re dealing with this issue, don’t worry—there’s a way to fix it. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a quick workaround to access the app and a permanent solution to resolve the error entirely.
How to Open the App Temporarily
If you need to access the app immediately, you can manually open it using the steps below. Note that this is a workaround, not a permanent fix, but this method will allow you to open and use the app:
- Open the Applications folder on your Mac.
- Locate the app you’re trying to open.
- Right-click (or Control-click) the app and select Show Package Contents.
- Navigate to the Contents folder, then open the MacOS folder.
- Double-click the file with the app’s name to launch it.
While this allows you to open the app temporarily, and you can continue to use the app without any issue but it doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. For a permanent fix, follow the steps below.
Permanent Fix: Remove and Self-Sign the App’s Signature
To fix the issue completely, you need to remove the app’s existing signature and self-sign it. This restores the app’s permissions and ensures it opens normally.
- Open Terminal:
Launch the Terminal app on your Mac (you can find it in Applications > Utilities). - Remove the App’s Signature:
Run the following command in Terminal, replacingtheproblemappnamewith the app’s name:
codesign --remove-signature /Applications/theproblemappname.app- Self-Sign the App:
After removing the signature, run this command to self-sign the app:
codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/theproblemappname.app- Test the App:
Try opening the app again. It should now launch without displaying the permission error.
If you’re seeing the “The application does not have permission to open (null)” error, it’s likely due to system permission issues or stricter security policies in macOS. While you can temporarily open the app by accessing its internal files, the permanent fix involves removing the app’s signature and self-signing it via Terminal. These steps will resolve the error and ensure the app functions as expected.
If the issue persists, consider reaching out to the app’s developer for further assistance or checking for an updated version of the app that is fully compatible with the latest macOS.
Related articles:
