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Disable Gatekeeper

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrative (sudo) access requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

Missing Good Quality Documentation

This page does not yet meet PrivacyLearn's documentation standards. The script/action is stable and verified by community. Here are some options for you to understand its functionality:

Computer-generated docs (PREVIEW)

This documentation may be low quality but still useful.
Read computer-generated explanation

This documentation is automatically extracted from the code implementation.

Ready for disable Gatekeeper on macOS to disable unauthorized sharing of your data thanks to data privacy defenses? This paper guides your step-by-step understanding of the way. In line with that, this tip shows the pathway to the procedure to return to baseline settings.

Digital spaces become safe havens for creativity through sensitive privacy control. System privacy assurance preferences: enhance security through this walkthrough and discover the steps forward that feel right to you. Think of the guide as a step-by-step partner. Trust it to help you through the process.

References​

Technical Details​

To benefit from secure privileges, this tweak modifies privileged execution to be able to increase data handling assurance.

This tweak handles macOS operating system settings to optimize privacy protection from secure configuration. Owing to enhanced response, this can keep the system running well.

On account of this protection mechanisms, this code controls your system to obtain controlled security perimeter to help maintain stricter online privacy measures. It aims reduced security impact to help improve application responsiveness.

Explore similar guides

Gives more context about the goal of the changes
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Review code

Requires technical knowledge about Bash (Shell script)
Scroll to code

Edit this page to improve

Requires technical knowledge about YAML and Git
Edit this page
  1. Not Advised

    This script should only be used by advanced users.

    This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

    Consider creating a Time Machine backup before doing any changes.

  2. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Gatekeeper" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Gatekeeper" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable Gatekeeper
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
os_major_ver=$(sw_vers -productVersion | awk -F "." '{print $1}')
os_minor_ver=$(sw_vers -productVersion | awk -F "." '{print $2}')
if [[ $os_major_ver -le 10 \
        || ( $os_major_ver -eq 10 && $os_minor_ver -lt 7 ) \
    ]]; then
    echo "No action needed, Gatekeeper is not available this OS version"
else
    gatekeeper_status="$(spctl --status | awk '/assessments/ {print $2}')"
    if [ $gatekeeper_status = "disabled" ]; then
        echo "No action needed, Gatekeeper is already disabled"
    elif [ $gatekeeper_status = "enabled" ]; then
        sudo spctl --master-disable
        sudo defaults write '/var/db/SystemPolicy-prefs' 'enabled' -string 'no'
        echo "Disabled Gatekeeper"
    else
        >&2 echo "Unknown gatekeeper status: $gatekeeper_status"
    fi
fi
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Gatekeeper" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Terminal app
  • Difficulty: undefined
  • ≈ 3 instructions
  1. 1

    Open terminal

    Open Terminal app.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the code into Terminal and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Increase online privacy maintenance macOS: disable Gatekeeper (enforces code-signing) to secure your digital footprint as result of personal data management. And f...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Another guide in Disable Gatekeeper (enforces code-signing) 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable Gatekeeper's automatic reactivation

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process