The safest place to get apps for your Mac is the App Store. Apple reviews each app in the App Store before it’s accepted and signs it to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with or altered. If there’s ever a problem with an app, Apple can quickly remove it from the store.
To set or change the default program that opens a file, here’s what you’ll do: Right-click by touching two fingers to your Mac’s trackpad and click or right-click your mouse on the file. Next, select “Get Info” and a long, rectangular box will appear on your Mac’s screen. Change App, File, and Folder Icons Using PNG Images. When it comes to icons of any sort, PNG, with its transparent background, is the most popular format out there.You can find any PNG icon online (as long as it’s square and high-resolution) and make it an icon for any app, file, or folder on your Mac.
If you download and install apps from the internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered. By default, macOS Catalina also requires software to be notarized, so you can be confident that the software you run on your Mac doesn't contain known malware. Before opening downloaded software for the first time, macOS requests your approval to make sure you aren’t misled into running software you didn’t expect.
Running software that hasn’t been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy.
View the app security settings on your Mac
By default, the security and privacy preferences of your Mac are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. For additional security, you can chose to allow only apps from the App Store.
In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. Select App Store under the header “Allow apps downloaded from.”
Open a developer-signed or notarized app
If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, the first time that you launch a new app, your Mac asks if you’re sure you want to open it.
An app that has been notarized by Apple indicates that Apple checked it for malicious software and none was detected:
Prior to macOS Catalina, opening an app that hasn't been notarized shows a yellow warning icon and asks if you're sure you want to open it:
If you see a warning message and can’t install an app
If you have set your Mac to allow apps only from the App Store and you try to install an app from elsewhere, your Mac will say that the app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store.*
If your Mac is set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers, and you try to install an app that isn’t signed by an identified developer or—in macOS Catalina—notarized by Apple, you also see a warning that the app cannot be opened.
If you see this warning, it means that the app was not notarized, and Apple could not scan the app for known malicious software.
You may want to look for an updated version of the app in the App Store or look for an alternative app.
If macOS detects a malicious app
If macOS detects that an app has malicious content, it will notify you when you try to open it and ask you to move it to the Trash.
How to open an app that hasn’t been notarized or is from an unidentified developer
Running software that hasn’t been signed and notarized may expose your computer and personal information to malware that can harm your Mac or compromise your privacy. If you’re certain that an app you want to install is from a trustworthy source and hasn’t been tampered with, you can temporarily override your Mac security settings to open it.
In macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave, when an app fails to install because it hasn’t been notarized or is from an unidentified developer, it will appear in System Preferences > Security & Privacy, under the General tab. Click Open Anyway to confirm your intent to open or install the app.
The warning prompt reappears, and you can click Open.*
The app is now saved as an exception to your security settings, and you can open it in the future by double-clicking it, just as you can any authorized app.
*If you're prompted to open Finder: control-click the app in Finder, choose Open from the menu, and then click Open in the dialog that appears. Enter your admin name and password to open the app.
You can choose how often you want to enter your password when you buy items (including in-app purchases) from the App Store and iTunes Store:
- Always Require—Every time you make a purchase, you'll be asked to enter your password, even if you're signed in with your Apple ID.
- Require After 15 Minutes—If you entered your password within the last 15 minutes, you won't be asked to enter your password again.
If you don't want to enter a password when you download free items, follow the steps below and turn off password protection for free items.
How To Change Setup Pc
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap [your name], then tap iTunes & App Store.
- Tap Password Settings. If you have Touch ID or Face ID turned on for purchases, you won't see Password Settings.
- Under Purchases and In-App Purchases, tap the setting that you want.
- Under Free Downloads, tap Require Password to turn the setting on or off.
- When asked, enter your password. Then tap OK.
How To Change A Default App
On your computer
- On your Mac, choose the Apple menu () at the top of your screen, then choose System Preferences.
- Click Apple ID.
- Click Media & Purchases.
- Select the settings that you want for free downloads and purchases. If you have Touch ID turned on for purchases, you won't see this menu.
If you're using an older version of macOS, open iTunes, choose iTunes > Preferences, then click the Store tab.
On a PC
If you're using a PC, open iTunes. From the top of the iTunes window, choose Edit, then choose Preferences. Click the Store tab. Then select the settings that you want for purchases and free downloads.
On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD
- From the Home screen, select Settings.
- Select Users and Accounts.
- Select [your name]'s Account.
- Under Require Password, choose the settings that you want for purchases and free downloads.
How To Change Setup Apps Mac Os
On your Apple TV (3rd generation)
- From the Home screen, select Settings > iTunes Store > Sign In.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- After you click Submit, you'll see a screen that says 'Remember Password?' Select your preferred level of protection:
- Choose Yes if you want the Apple TV to remember your password for purchases as long as you're signed in with your Apple ID.
- Choose No if you want to enter your password each time that you make a purchase in the iTunes Store.
To change your password settings, sign out, then follow the steps above to sign in again.
About turning off password protection
You can't completely turn off password protection for paid items on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or computer. On Apple TV, you can turn off password protection for both free and paid items.
If you enabled Touch ID or Face ID for App Store and iTunes Store purchases, you'll be asked to use Touch ID or Face ID for every download, even if the item is free.
Manage what kids buy or download
If you use Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy to control what kids buy. When a child asks to buy an item or download a free item, the family organizer can approve or decline the request.