Big Sur "Apple cannot check it for malicious software"

[lcuff]

With Big Sur installed, (version 11.2.1) I downloaded the newest version of Quicksilver (1.6.1). Trying to launch results in the dialog "can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software". Followed by "This software needs to be updated."

[skurfer]

Code signing broke a couple of years ago. It should be safe to open.

(Right-click it and choose “Open” to allow it to run anyway. You only need to do this once.)

[kconner]

At least as of macOS 11.2.3, version 1.6.1 as downloaded from qsapp.com won't open even with right-click and Open. The error is no different. What does work is to strip the quarantine metadata entry so Gatekeeper no longer flags it as downloaded code.

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine Quicksilver.app

[kajala]

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine Quicksilver.app

Got error "App not found" (Launchpad shows Quicksilver.app though)

[finisi]

Just disable the Gatekeeper to run any unsigned software.
To disable to allow apps from anywhere to be installed use the following command in terminal ::

sudo spctl --master-disable

To re-enable use the following command

sudo spctl --master-enable

[skurfer]

Got error "App not found" (Launchpad shows Quicksilver.app though)

@kajala I haven’t tried this, but I Assume you need to cd /Applications first, or specify the whole path in the command: /Applications/Quicksilver.app

[kajala]

Thanks @skurfer & @finisi the xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Quicksilver.app worked!

[radiospiel]

BTW: Besides CLI shanannigans one can also do the following:

1. download
2. doubleclick to start, macOS will complain
3. Open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy > General, this should now show a checkbox allowing to run Quicksilver. ("Open Anyway")

[radiospiel]

This might be a useful addition to the installation guide

[DaveEveritt]

This might be a useful addition to the installation guide

I'm on Monterey, obvs same issue.

To head off new issues about signing I updated the actual Quicksilver download page to mention the "ctrl-click -> security dialog; open button" method and sent a pull request. I've done similar for the installation guide repo, also adding a note about installing with Homebrew.

[DaveEveritt]

Clarification:

(Right-click it and choose “Open” to allow it to run anyway. You only need to do this once.)

You need to ctrl- or right-click (if you've set that up) the app, choose "open" from the contextual menu, then choose the extra "open" button that now appears in the warning dialog box—only needs doing once. (BTW I'm on Monterey)

[gliptak]

Dialog/option might not be available in (corporate) more restricted environments.

[DaveEveritt]

Dialog/option might not be available in (corporate) more restricted environments.

For university/corporate settings etc. I suppose admins would install it. I suppose it's a workaround for those with admin access until the issue is fixed.

[pjrobertson]

I'm going to close this issue, and open a new issue at #2654 so we can better keep track of exactly what needs doing.

For those following this issue, you may continue to follow #2654. Our goal is to have this issue fixed for the next version of Quicksilver.

Thanks for all the reports everyone!