The most common obstacle Mac users encounter when installing the Binance desktop client is macOS popping up a prompt saying "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified" or "Apple cannot check it for malicious software." This is due to the macOS Gatekeeper security feature, which by default only trusts applications downloaded from the App Store and from Apple-notarized developers. The Binance desktop client is not published in the Mac App Store, so it triggers this security warning. However, this does not mean the Binance client is unsafe; as long as you downloaded the genuine program from the Binance official website, it is completely fine. This restriction only affects the Mac desktop client. If you want to use it on your phone, Android users can directly download the official Binance APP, and iPhone users can refer to the iOS installation guide to complete the installation. This article will detail three methods to resolve this security prompt, ranging from simple system settings adjustments to terminal command line operations, ensuring Mac users of all technical levels can successfully install it.
What is macOS Gatekeeper?
How It Works
Gatekeeper is a built-in security feature in macOS, introduced since OS X 10.7.5, designed to prevent users from running unverified software. Gatekeeper's checking mechanism has three levels:
- App Store: Only allows running applications downloaded from the Mac App Store (strictest).
- App Store and identified developers: Allows running App Store applications as well as applications that have an Apple developer certificate and are notarized by Apple (default setting).
- Anywhere: Allows running any application (most lenient; this option is hidden by default in macOS Sierra and later versions).
The default setting for most Macs is the second level. This means if an application hasn't gone through Apple's notarization process, Gatekeeper will block it from running.
Why is the Binance Client Blocked?
The Binance desktop client might trigger Gatekeeper for the following reasons:
- It hasn't passed Apple's Notarization process.
- The developer certificate used is not trusted by macOS.
- Applications downloaded from the internet carry a "quarantine flag".
These are technical issues and have nothing to do with whether the application itself is safe. Many well-known third-party software programs (especially cross-platform ones) can encounter the same situation.
Prompt Differences Across macOS Versions
Different versions of macOS vary slightly in their prompt messages and handling methods:
- macOS Ventura (13) and above: Prompts "cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software."
- macOS Monterey (12): Prompts "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified."
- macOS Big Sur (11): Prompt is similar to Monterey.
- macOS Catalina (10.15): Prompts "cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software."
Although the prompt messages differ slightly, the solutions are basically the same.
Method 1: Allow via System Settings (Easiest)
This is Apple's officially recommended handling method and the easiest one.
Steps for macOS Ventura (13) and Above
- Double-click the Binance client to try opening it; the system will pop up a security prompt.
- Click "OK" to close the prompt (note: do not click "Move to Trash").
- Open "System Settings" (Apple icon in the top left -> System Settings).
- Click "Privacy & Security" on the left.
- Scroll down to the "Security" section.
- You will see a message similar to "Binance was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer."
- There is an "Open Anyway" button next to it; click it.
- The system will pop up a confirmation dialog; you may need to enter your Mac login password or use Touch ID.
- After confirming, the Binance client will launch normally.
- The prompt will not appear again the next time you open it.
Steps for macOS Monterey (12) and Below
- Double-click the Binance client to try opening it; the system will pop up a security prompt.
- Click "OK" to close the prompt.
- Open "System Preferences" (Apple icon in the top left -> System Preferences).
- Click "Security & Privacy".
- Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner to unlock settings (requires password).
- Under the "General" tab, you will see a prompt about the blocked application.
- Click "Open Anyway".
- Enter your password to confirm.
- Done.
Important Note
This "Open Anyway" message will only display briefly in System Settings. If you close the security prompt and wait a long time before checking System Settings, the message might have disappeared. In this case, you need to double-click the Binance client again to trigger the security prompt, and then quickly go to System Settings to handle it.
Method 2: Right-Click to Open
This method is faster and doesn't require going into System Settings.
Operation Steps
- Find the Binance client in Finder (usually in the "Applications" folder).
- Control-click (or right-click) the Binance APP icon.
- Select "Open" from the context menu.
- The system will pop up a slightly different security prompt dialog, this time with an extra "Open" button.
- Click "Open".
Why does right-clicking to open yield a different result than double-clicking? Because selecting "Open" from the context menu tells macOS that you are consciously choosing to open this unverified application (rather than doing it by mistake), so the system gives you an extra confirmation option.
The advantage of this method is that it's the simplest to execute and doesn't require entering System Settings. The disadvantage is that it only works for the current launch—however, in reality, once you successfully open it this way once, macOS usually remembers your choice, and you can double-click it directly thereafter.
Method 3: Using Terminal Commands (Most Thorough)
If Method 1 and Method 2 don't work (which is very rare), you can use a terminal command to solve the issue.
Remove the Quarantine Attribute
Files downloaded from the internet are marked by macOS with a "quarantine attribute" (com.apple.quarantine). Gatekeeper checks this attribute to decide whether to block the file. We can manually remove this attribute.
Operation Steps:
- Open the "Terminal" application (in Applications -> Utilities, or search "Terminal" with Spotlight).
- Enter the following command:
xattr -cr /Applications/Binance.app
- Press Enter to execute.
- If the system asks for a password, enter your Mac login password.
- Once the command finishes executing (usually without any output), double-click the Binance client again to open it.
Meaning of this command:
xattr: Tool for manipulating extended file attributes.-c: Clear all extended attributes.-r: Process recursively (including all files within the APP package)./Applications/Binance.app: The path to the Binance client (if you installed it elsewhere, you need to modify the path accordingly).
Allow Applications from Anywhere
If you frequently need to install applications from various sources, you can restore macOS's hidden "Anywhere" option, so you will no longer receive Gatekeeper blocking prompts in the future.
Operation Steps:
- Open Terminal.
- Enter the following command:
sudo spctl --master-disable
- Enter the administrator password and press Enter.
- Open "System Settings" -> "Privacy & Security", and you will find a new "Anywhere" option under the "Security" section, which is already selected.
Important Warning: This operation will lower your Mac's security protection level, and macOS will no longer block the running of any applications. It is only recommended for users who have enough security judgment regarding the software they download. If you are unsure, it is recommended to use Method 1 or Method 2, handling only specific applications.
Command to restore default settings:
sudo spctl --master-enable
Handling Special Cases
"App is damaged and can't be opened"
If the prompt is not "cannot verify developer" but "App is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash," this usually does not mean the file is actually damaged, but is another way Gatekeeper blocks it.
The solution is the same as Method 3: use the xattr command to remove the quarantine attribute:
xattr -cr /Applications/Binance.app
If the problem persists after executing the command, the file might actually be damaged during the download process. Try downloading it from the official website again and reinstalling.
Downloaded DMG File Cannot be Opened
Sometimes the problem is that the DMG file itself cannot mount normally. Possible reasons:
- Incomplete download: Check if the file size is normal; if it's too small, it means the download was incomplete, so download it again.
- Corrupted DMG file: Something might have gone wrong during network transmission; download it again.
- macOS version is too low: Certain new DMG formats might not be supported by older versions of macOS.
Prompt Appears Every Time After Installation
Normally, after handling it using the above methods, the prompt should not appear again upon subsequent launches. If it pops up every time, it might be due to the following reasons:
- The APP's signature changed after an update.
- The system's security settings were reset by other software or policies.
- The APP has an auto-update mechanism, and the new files after the update carry the quarantine attribute again.
The solution is to execute the xattr command again to clear the attributes.
Enterprise-Managed Macs
If your Mac is issued by your company, it might be managed by an MDM (Mobile Device Management) system. The MDM may enforce stricter security policies, and you might not have permission to modify security settings or run unapproved software. In this case, you need to contact your IT department for assistance.
Overview of macOS Security Features
In addition to Gatekeeper, macOS has several layers of security protection mechanisms. Understanding them will help you better handle various security prompts.
XProtect
XProtect is macOS's built-in malware detection feature, similar to Windows Defender. It checks whether downloaded applications contain known malicious code when you open them for the first time. XProtect's virus definition library is regularly updated by Apple.
If XProtect detects known malicious code, it will directly block the application from running and suggest you delete it. In this case, you should not force it to run, because XProtect detects confirmed malware, not a false positive (unlike Gatekeeper's "cannot verify developer").
Quarantine Attribute
Whenever you download a file from the internet (via a browser, email client, etc.), macOS automatically adds a quarantine attribute to the file. This attribute triggers Gatekeeper to check the file the first time you open it.
Notarization
Starting with macOS Catalina, Apple requires all applications distributed outside the App Store to go through the Notarization process. Developers need to submit their applications to Apple for automated security checks, and upon passing, Apple attaches a "notarization ticket" to the app. When a user opens a notarized app, Gatekeeper verifies this ticket and allows it to run.
If Binance's developers completed the notarization process, users wouldn't receive the "cannot verify developer" prompt. But if for some reason (such as updates happening faster than the notarization process) a certain version isn't notarized, it will trigger the prompt.
Safe Usage Recommendations
Don't Make It a Habit to Unconditionally Bypass Security Prompts
Although this article taught you how to bypass macOS security prompts, these prompts exist for a reason. They protect you from genuine malware. The correct approach is:
- Only bypass prompts for software from sources you confirm are reliable.
- Always confirm the software source before bypassing.
- If an unknown software triggers a security prompt, do not easily bypass it.
Try to Use Method 1 or Method 2
Method 1 and Method 2 are officially supported handling methods by Apple. They only make an exception for one specific application and will not affect the overall security level of the system. The "Allow from Anywhere" in Method 3 comprehensively lowers security protection and is not recommended to be kept on daily.
Keep macOS Updated
Regularly install macOS updates and security patches. Apple continuously improves security features and patches vulnerabilities, so keeping the system updated is a fundamental security guarantee.
Verify the Application After Installation
After installation is complete, open the Binance client to confirm the interface and functions are normal. Log into your account and check if everything works properly. If you find any anomalies (interface doesn't match official screenshots, functions behave strangely, etc.), uninstall it immediately and re-download from the official website.
Conclusion
Encountering the "cannot verify developer" security prompt when installing the Binance client on a Mac is normal behavior of macOS Gatekeeper and does not mean there is a problem with the software. The three solutions, in order of recommendation, are: click "Open Anyway" via System Settings -> right-click and select "Open" -> use a terminal command to remove the quarantine attribute. Most users can resolve it using the first or second method. The prerequisite for handling security prompts is confirming that the installation package comes from the Binance official website; this verification step cannot be skipped. After bypassing the security prompt, remember to maintain other security practices—updating your system, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication—to comprehensively protect your Mac and digital assets.