# Mac OS Catalina won't open exported applications

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581>\
**Category:** Processing\
**Created:** [November 20, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581 "2020-11-20T23:10:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PhilHaw](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/philhaw/32/8221_2.png) [@PhilHaw](https://discourse.processing.org/u/PhilHaw)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/1 "2020-11-20T23:10:16Z")

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I have a couple of Processing applications exported with embedded java from Processing 3.5.4 on a Mac. I upload these in a zip file to a website for users to download on their Macs. Unfortunately on Mac OS Catalina, double clicking on the application gives an error “The application xxxxx cannot be opened”. No further explanation, and when I click the ‘?’ in the dialog box for help, the help window that opens is just blank!

I have been able to get the same apps to run on the Mac if I access a copy on my local Windows 10 Network shared folder.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue and, hopefully found a workaround?

I did try using Terminal to disable the protection using

**sudo spctl --master-disable**

and whilst this does enable the _Allow apps downloaded from “Anywhere”_ option in Security & Privacy, I still get the same ‘unable to open’ error.

Thanks, Phil.

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**Author:** ![jay\_m](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/jay_m/32/11020_2.png) [@jay\_m](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jay_m)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/2 "2020-11-21T18:17:10Z")

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Did you try right clicking on the app and choose open ?  
You might get a confirmation panel asking if that’s what you intend to do the first time.

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**Author:** ![PhilHaw](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/philhaw/32/8221_2.png) [@PhilHaw](https://discourse.processing.org/u/PhilHaw)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/3 "2020-11-21T18:49:07Z")

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Yes, I did, same outcome alas. Catalina seems to have locked everything down 🤪

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**Author:** ![jay\_m](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/jay_m/32/11020_2.png) [@jay\_m](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jay_m)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/4 "2020-11-21T19:02:55Z")

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Yeah Gatekeeper is doing a good job 🙂

Have you tried allowing apps from anywhere in the Security and Privacy preference panel directly?

(If you issue sudo spctl --master-disable with preferences running I don’t think it works)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PhilHaw](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/philhaw/32/8221_2.png) [@PhilHaw](https://discourse.processing.org/u/PhilHaw)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/5 "2020-11-21T19:19:54Z")

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I’ll try again but the sudo spctl --master-disable command is required to make the ‘Anywhere’ option visible. It does become visible and I select it but I still get the ‘can’t open’ error.

Thanks for your suggestions 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jay\_m](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/jay_m/32/11020_2.png) [@jay\_m](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jay_m)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 12:51am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/mac-os-catalina-wont-open-exported-applications/25581/6 "2020-11-22T00:51:19Z")

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Try notarizing it?

See [Notarizing exported application on macOS 10.15 (Catalina)](https://discourse.processing.org/t/notarizing-exported-application-on-macos-10-15-catalina/22622)