When running the Binance desktop client for the first time on macOS, Gatekeeper may intercept it and display a "Cannot verify developer" prompt. The solution is: Right-click the Binance.app in Finder → Open → Click "Open" again in the pop-up to allow it once, after which it will no longer be blocked. Alternatively, you can execute xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Binance.app in the Terminal to permanently remove the quarantine attribute. Be sure to only download the installer from the Binance Official Website; any third-party source carries the risk of malicious code injection. If you wish to use it on your phone as well, click the Binance Official APP to download the official APK. This article explains the principles of Gatekeeper, when it is triggered, and how to bypass it.
I. What is Gatekeeper?
Gatekeeper is a security mechanism introduced in macOS starting from 10.7.5 to check if an application meets Apple's "Developer Signature + Notarization" requirements:
- Developer Signature: Whether the app is signed by a registered developer account;
- Notarization: Whether the app has been submitted to Apple for malicious code scanning and time-stamped;
- Quarantine Attribute: Files downloaded from the internet are marked with a flag that triggers Gatekeeper review upon first opening.
Although the Binance client has an Apple Developer ID signature, certain versions may be flagged by Gatekeeper as "unverifiable" if they haven't gone through notarization or were repackaged by a third-party mirror.
II. Gatekeeper Policies Across Different macOS Versions
| macOS Version | Default Gatekeeper Behavior | How to Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Monterey | Double-click allows "Open" | Right-click Open / Settings Allowance |
| 13 Ventura | Double-click allows "Open" | Right-click Open / Settings Allowance |
| 14 Sonoma | Double-click only allows "Cancel" | Only via Right-click + Settings Allowance |
| 15 Sequoia | Double-click only allows "Cancel" | Only via Right-click + Settings Allowance |
Starting with Sonoma, Apple has tightened its policy, no longer providing an "Open" button upon double-clicking; you must actively trigger a right-click to bypass it. This is why many users believe Binance "won't open" after upgrading their system.
III. Method 1: Right-Click to Open (Fastest)
- Open Finder → Applications;
- Locate the Binance icon;
- Hold the Control key and left-click the Binance icon (equivalent to a right-click);
- Select Open from the menu;
- A pop-up will appear: "macOS cannot verify if Binance contains malware";
- Click the Open button again;
- Confirm with your system password or Touch ID.
Double-clicking to launch thereafter will not be intercepted. The essence of this bypass is adding Binance.app to Gatekeeper's trust list.
IV. Method 2: System Settings Allowance
If you forget Method 1 and get blocked by a double-click:
1. Trigger the Interception
Double-click Binance; it will pop up "Cannot open Binance because the developer cannot be verified" → click Cancel.
2. Open System Settings
Go to the Apple menu (top-left) → System Settings → Privacy & Security.
3. Find "Open Anyway"
In Sonoma / Sequoia, you need to scroll all the way to the bottom to find the "Security" section, where you will see a line:
"Binance" was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer.
4. Click to Allow
Click the Open Anyway button → Enter your system password or Touch ID → Binance will launch immediately.
5. Launch Again
Double-click the Binance icon again; it will now open directly without any pop-ups.
V. Method 3: Command Line xattr to Remove Quarantine Attribute
This is suitable for processing multiple apps at once or for automated deployment scenarios.
1. View Quarantine Attribute
xattr -l /Applications/Binance.app
If you see the com.apple.quarantine field, it means the app has been flagged for quarantine.
2. Remove Quarantine Attribute
sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Binance.app
-r processes all sub-files recursively; -d deletes the specified attribute. After execution, double-clicking Binance will not be blocked.
3. Verification
xattr /Applications/Binance.app
If the output is empty, the removal was successful.
VI. Method 4: Temporarily Disabling Gatekeeper
If you need to batch process multiple apps, temporarily disabling Gatekeeper globally is more efficient, but be sure to turn it back on afterwards.
1. Disable Gatekeeper
sudo spctl --master-disable
On Sonoma/Sequoia, this command may be prompted as "deprecated"; use this instead:
sudo spctl --global-disable
2. Install/Launch Binance
You can now double-click any app to launch without Gatekeeper interception.
3. Re-enable Gatekeeper
sudo spctl --master-enable
# OR
sudo spctl --global-enable
This step is extremely important. Keeping Gatekeeper disabled long-term is equivalent to letting macOS lose half of its application-level defenses.
VII. Which Method is Safest?
- Method 1 (Right-click Open): Safest. Only allows Binance.app without affecting other apps;
- Method 2 (Settings Allowance): Equally safe, suitable for scenarios where you've already been blocked;
- Method 3 (xattr Removal): Safe, provided you ensure the DMG source you downloaded is reliable;
- Method 4 (spctl Disable): Not recommended. If you forget to turn it back on, other malicious software you download will run unhindered.
VIII. Difference Between SIP and Gatekeeper
Many users confuse System Integrity Protection (SIP) with Gatekeeper. The differences are:
| Mechanism | Protection Object | How to Disable |
|---|---|---|
| Gatekeeper | App signatures/notarization/quarantine | Can be disabled in normal mode |
| SIP | Critical system files and processes | Must enter Recovery Mode to disable |
| XProtect | Real-time malware scanning | Cannot be manually disabled |
| Sandbox | App permission isolation | Declared by the app itself |
The Binance client only triggers a Gatekeeper review and is not blocked by SIP because it is installed in /Applications/ rather than a system directory.
IX. Troubleshooting Persistent Gatekeeper Blocks
Symptom 1: Prompted "Damaged" After Right-clicking Open
Reason: The DMG download is incomplete or has been modified by antivirus software. Fix: Delete the old Binance.app, re-download the DMG, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and reinstall.
Symptom 2: Crashing Upon Launch After Allowance
Reason: Client version mismatch with macOS version. Fix: Go to the Binance Official Website and re-download the latest version for your architecture.
Symptom 3: Warning Pops Up Every Time You Launch
Reason: The quarantine attribute was not thoroughly removed. Fix:
sudo xattr -cr /Applications/Binance.app
-c clears all extended attributes, which is more thorough than -d com.apple.quarantine.
Symptom 4: "Open Anyway" Cannot Be Found in Settings
Reason: The interface hasn't refreshed. Fix: Close and reopen the "Settings" window, or simply right-click to open once.
Symptom 5: MDM Managed Devices Cannot Bypass
Reason: Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies prohibit users from changing Gatekeeper settings. Fix: Contact your corporate IT administrator to add it to the whitelist, or use your personal Mac.
X. Apple Developer Signature Information
The developer signature ID for the Binance Mac client is Binance Holdings Limited, and the Team ID is usually M6K8B9N24W (subject to the actual signature). You can verify with the following command:
codesign -dv --verbose=4 /Applications/Binance.app 2>&1 | grep -E "Authority|Team"
The output should contain Developer ID Application: Binance Holdings Limited; otherwise, the installer you have may be forged. Delete it immediately and re-download.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is there a virus risk in disabling Gatekeeper?
A: Yes. Gatekeeper is the most important application-level defense in macOS. Once disabled, any application downloaded to your machine can run directly. It is recommended to only disable it temporarily when needed and re-enable it immediately. Use right-click open for individual apps in daily use.
Q2: No "Open" option when holding Control on Sonoma?
A: You might be using "trackpad right-click" instead of Control + click. Try tapping the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously, or use an external mouse right-click. Fn + mouse click can also trigger it.
Q3: Why can't I install Binance on my work Mac no matter what?
A: It is likely that MDM policies prohibit the installation of apps from "unidentified developers." You must contact the IT department to add it to the whitelist; bypassing it on your own may violate company security policies.
Q4: Do I need to allow it again after switching Mac accounts?
A: No. Gatekeeper allowance is based on the app bundle itself (/Applications/), which is shared across all users. Switching Mac users does not affect it. However, if the app is installed in the user directory ~/Applications/, it only applies to the current user.
Q5: Is there a way for Binance to automatically pass Gatekeeper?
A: No. The initial Gatekeeper allowance must be performed manually by someone with administrator privileges; this is a security baseline in Apple's design. Automation scripts can at most pre-remove quarantine attributes, but true allowance still requires user confirmation.
Have more Mac usage details? Check the full Mac Guide tutorial series in the Tutorials.