Don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix!
“"App" Is Damaged and Can't Be Opened”
What This Means (In Plain English)
macOS thinks the app you are trying to open may be unsafe or corrupted. This is a security feature called Gatekeeper.
Common Causes
- •The app was downloaded from a third-party website
- •The download was corrupted or incomplete
- •macOS Gatekeeper is blocking an unverified app
How to Fix It — Step by Step
- 1
First, try re-downloading the app from the Mac App Store or the developer's official website.
- 2
If you just downloaded it, right-click (or Control-click) the app and choose "Open" from the menu.
- 3
Click "Open" in the confirmation dialog.
- 4
If that does not work, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and look for a message about the blocked app.
- 5
Click "Open Anyway" if you trust the developer.
- 6
Never open apps from sources you do not trust.
How to Prevent This in the Future
Download apps from the Mac App Store whenever possible. Only download from trusted developer websites.
Still stuck? Don’t worry!
If the steps above did not solve the problem, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or contact us and we will do our best to assist you.