> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://octop.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Installing the Octop Client and OctopPet on macOS > What to do when macOS reports that the app is damaged and cannot be opened — remove the quarantine flag or allow apps from anywhere. Step-by-step, no terminal experience needed. The Octop desktop client and the OctopPet desktop pet are not yet notarized by Apple. The first time you open them on macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later, macOS shows a dialog saying the app *is damaged and can't be opened. You should move it to the Trash.* **The download is not actually broken.** macOS tags every file that arrives through a browser, messaging app, or email with a quarantine flag (`com.apple.quarantine`), and refuses to launch anything that isn't notarized. Remove that flag and the app runs normally. ![macOS reports that the app is damaged](https://mintcdn.com/octop/6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V/images/macos-unsigned-damaged.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V\&q=85\&s=a3db37b885c7668ecedc599f40252883) > [!WARNING] > > Click **Cancel** on this dialog. Do **not** click **Move to Trash** — you would have to download the app again. > [!NOTE] > > The screenshots in this guide come from a Chinese-language macOS install and a different unsigned app. The steps are identical; your dialogs will name `Octop.app` or `OctopPet.app`. ## Step 1: Move the app into Applications Install the app to a fixed location first, so the commands below work as written. > [tab] You downloaded a .dmg > > Double-click the `.dmg` to mount it, drag `Octop.app` (or `OctopPet.app`) into the **Applications** folder, then eject the disk image from the Finder sidebar. > [tab] You downloaded a .zip > > Double-click the `.zip` to unpack it, then drag the resulting `Octop.app` (or `OctopPet.app`) into **Finder → Applications**. > [!TIP] > > Don't run the app straight from your Downloads folder. Once it is in **Applications**, its path is always `/Applications/Octop.app` or `/Applications/OctopPet.app`, so you can copy and paste the commands below verbatim. ## Option A: Remove the quarantine flag (recommended) This is the simplest and safest fix. It affects only the app you name, and leaves your system-wide security settings untouched. **1. Open Terminal** Press `⌘ + Space` to open Spotlight, type `Terminal`, and press Return. You can also find it under **Launchpad → Utilities → Terminal**. **2. Run the command** If the app is in your **Applications** folder, paste the matching command into Terminal and press Return: ```bash Octop client theme={null} sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Octop.app ``` ```bash OctopPet theme={null} sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OctopPet.app ``` **3. Enter your password** Terminal prompts for `Password:`. Type your Mac login password and press Return. > [!NOTE] > > Terminal shows nothing at all while you type — no characters, no moving cursor. That is normal macOS behavior, not a freeze. Type the password blind and press Return. **4. Open the app** A successful command prints no output. Go back to **Applications** and double-click the app; it now opens normally. ### If the app is not in Applications You don't have to type the path by hand — drag the icon into Terminal: **1. Type the first half of the command** In Terminal, type the following **with a trailing space**, and don't press Return yet: ```bash theme={null} sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine ``` **2. Drag the app into Terminal** In Finder, locate the app and drag its icon onto the Terminal window. Terminal appends the full path to the command. Press Return, then enter your login password. ## Option B: Allow apps from anywhere Use this if Option A wasn't enough, or if you are installing several unsigned apps at once. > [!WARNING] > > This weakens Gatekeeper checks **system-wide** — macOS will stop blocking unsigned apps from any source. Restore the default afterwards, as described below. **1. Run the command in Terminal** ```bash theme={null} sudo spctl --global-disable ``` You will be prompted for your login password again. Nothing appears as you type; just press Return when done. **2. Select Anywhere in System Settings** Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and scroll to the **Security** section. An **Anywhere** option now appears under **Allow applications from**. Select it. ![The Anywhere option under Privacy & Security](https://mintcdn.com/octop/6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V/images/macos-unsigned-anywhere.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V\&q=85\&s=3d2f17dfa0bdac1dd95062bdd17c2fa0) **3. Confirm the change** macOS warns you about the risk and asks you to authenticate again. Click **Allow From Anywhere**, then confirm with your password or Touch ID. ![Confirming Allow From Anywhere](https://mintcdn.com/octop/6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V/images/macos-unsigned-anywhere-auth.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=6Hy3WRgjtZ0cAh4V\&q=85\&s=2cfcdbfdcae27cf347d4b8446784890d) **4. Open the app** Return to **Applications** and double-click the Octop client or OctopPet. ### Restore the default afterwards Once the app launches, put Gatekeeper back into its default state. Apps you have already installed keep working: ```bash theme={null} sudo spctl --global-enable ``` ## Troubleshooting > [accordion] Terminal says: No such xattr: com.apple.quarantine > > The app had no quarantine flag to begin with, or you already ran the command. This is not an error — just open the app. > [accordion] There is no Anywhere option in System Settings > > `sudo spctl --global-disable` did not actually run, usually because the password was mistyped. Run it again in Terminal, remembering that nothing is displayed while you type. Then check **System Settings → Privacy & Security** once more. > [accordion] The dialog says the developer cannot be verified, not damaged > > That case is easier and needs no terminal. In **Finder → Applications**, **right-click** the app, choose **Open**, then click **Open** again in the confirmation dialog. > > If that is still blocked, go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security**, find the blocked app in the **Security** section, and click **Open Anyway** next to it. > [accordion] A new version shows the damaged dialog again > > Every fresh download carries a new quarantine flag, so this is expected. Run the **Option A** command again against the new version. > [accordion] Command not found, or the path contains spaces > > Check that the command reads `xattr` and nothing else. If the app's path contains spaces, wrap it in quotes — for example `sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/My Apps/Octop.app"`. Dragging the app icon into Terminal avoids typing the path. ## A note on safety Bypassing Gatekeeper is only reasonable when you trust where the installer came from. Download the client and the desktop pet from official Octop release channels only — never from a third-party mirror. Option A touches a single app and is the better default. Option B opens up source checks for the whole system, so restore the default as soon as you are done. > [!TIP] > > Only need Octop on a server or from the command line? The desktop client is optional — follow the [Quickstart](https://octop.mintlify.site/quickstart.md) to install the `octop` CLI and use the web UI in your browser. 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