MacOS has been designed to keep users and their data safe while respecting their privacy. Please take caution if you choose to install any software for which your Mac displays an alert. The warning messages displayed below are examples, and it's possible that you could see a similar message that isn't displayed here. Running software that hasn’t been signed and notarised may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. Before opening downloaded software for the first time, macOS requests your approval to make sure you aren’t misled into running software you didn’t expect. By default, macOS Catalina and later also requires software to be notarised, so you can be confident that the software you run on your Mac doesn't contain known malware. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered. If you download and install apps from the Internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac.

If there’s ever a problem with an app, Apple can remove it from the store quickly. Apple reviews each app in the App Store before it’s accepted and signs it to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with or altered. The safest place to get apps for your Mac is the App Store.