[Solve] App can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software

App can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software is an inconvenience for many users macOS. In this tutorial you will learn what you can do when you encounter this limitation.

As I have already said in other articles, macOS Catalina it hardens a lot security system operating system macOS. This also comes with a series of restrictions and headaches for users. At least at this moment, when we talk about it OS in Beta and when applications have not yet been optimized for the new rules.

By default, on macOS they cannot be installed and can only run downloaded applications from App Store or applications from developers identified (identified developers).
Pe macOS Catalina Beta, I was surprised to download WhatsApp from App Store, and when I tried to run it, it appeared to me that the application could not run because Apple it cannot be checked by malware software.

“ID.desktop.WhatsApp.?” can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.
This software needs to on updated. Contact the developer for more information“. App can’t be opened.

We know that macOS Catalina will bring with it the launch and removing support for applications on 32-bits, but this is not currently the case for the WhatsApp Desktop application. Keep in mind, though, that if you're running applications with 32-bit architecturepinof your work on the Mac, it's a good idea to stick to macOS Mojave up developers will release 64-bit versions.

How to solve the security limitation App can’t be opened on macOS?

To solve this limitation "app can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software ”which prevents an application from being opened on macOS Catalina, you have to consider several aspects.

First of all, this step is only recommended if you do not download and install dubious applications on your Mac. Avoid accessing sites that may endanger the security of your data.

This limitation of launching an application “app an’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software“ can be avoided if we allow downloading and running third-party applications, other than App Store and from developers identified by Apple.
Resistences are found in System Preferences →  Security & Privacy, under the "Allow apps downloaded from:“. “App Store“ si “App Store and identified developers“. To change these settings, it is necessary to click on the lock on the bottom left of the panel and enter the password of the system user.

As can be seen in the image above, there is nothing to check that we allow installation from third parties. Activation of this option is done through a command line executed in the Terminal.

  sudo spctl --master-disable

After executing the command line, we reopen System Preferences and we notice the new option: Anywhere.

Remember that from now on you are "on your own". Applications downloaded and installed on the system will no longer be filtered by Apple.
The good part is that you will be able to run applications such as WhatsApp and others, without further adopinyou have the message: “app can‘t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software”.

Returning to the initial settings is also done from Port, running the command line:

  sudo spctl --master-enable 

After reactivation, applications that cannot be verified by malware will no longer be able to run on macOS.