The message, “You do not have permission to open the application (contact your computer or network administrator for assistance),” appears on macOS Big Sur when trying to launch applications or files.
Key Takeaways
- The error means you cannot open or install apps on your macOS system.
- It may occur due to restricted access, incorrect system configurations or disabled settings for the app.
- Several solutions for this error include removing the app’s quarantine, disabling SIP, and allowing full disk access to the app.
What Can’t You Open An Application On MacOS?
If you encounter an error message “You do not have permission to open the application,” and it advises you to “contact your computer or network administrator for assistance,” it can be because the app is not signed or verified by Apple. Consequently, the system may perceive the app as a security threat.
Furthermore, your user profile may not have adequate access to launch the file, which another user on the system may own. Plus, if you have recently installed this app on your device, it could be under quarantine due to security risks.
How To Fix “You Do Not Have Permission To Open The Application?”
Many fixes can get you out of the situation, for instance, reinstalling the app, blocking ocsp.apple.com on your macOS, force signing the app, and more. Before heading on, do not forget to read How To Check Insufficient Power Supply.
Ask Permission From The File Owner
If the troublesome app or file exists on a shared drive, you may need to contact the file owner to permit you to access the file under your user on the macOS device.
Reinstall The App
Another foremost troubleshooting step is to uninstall the app in which you are facing this error. Reinstall the file from the App Store and launch it to send away the error message.
Change Recent Items To None
Recent Items maintains a history of the recently used apps and files on the system. Changing it to None declutters the system by removing unnecessary files, data, and corrupt content. Furthermore, a Reddit user found this fix effective in resolving the error on their macOS Big Sur.
- From the Apple menu, highlight Recent Items.
- Click on Clear Menu from the sub-box.
Clear Menu - Next, go to System Preferences from the Apple menu.
System Preferences – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Pick the General icon.
General – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Look at the last option on this dialog box, Recent Items.
- Set it to None.
Recent Items – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Use The Go Menu
Access the Go menu when you cannot open some apps on your macOS Big Sur. Apart from this, learn how our team got through the error where Computer Restarts When Trying To Print.
- Close all the running apps on your computer.
- Click on the Go button from the top bar.
- Select Go to Folder.
Go Menu – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Type /Library/Image Capture/Devices in the dialog box and hit Go.
Go – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Now, Double-Click on the app that you cannot open.
- Close this menu and Re-open the app.
Read And Execute Access For Everyone
This command will allow read and execute access for everyone on your system. Therefore, anyone can read and access the file, while the owner can also write it.
- Launch Terminal on your Mac computer.
- Type sudo chmod -R 755 /path/to/your/file.
For Slack, type; sudo chmod -R 755 /Applications/slack.app
Codes- Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Remove The Quarantine
The system may quarantine newly installed apps on your macOS as a security prevention to ensure it is safe for the device. Therefore, you can unquarantine the app after installation. Plus, the method resolved this error message for several users who encountered the same issue on macOS devices.
- Open Terminal on your macOS PC.
Terminal – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Type xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/your/app. Replace path/to/your/app with the instructions to the problematic app. For instance, if the app is Atom, the code should go like this: xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Atom.app
- Hit Enter to remove quarantine from the app.
Force Sign The App
Signing an app with a credible Developer ID Certificate enhances the app’s security to run on your system. Be careful to execute the command accurately. Otherwise, it may lead the app to malfunction.
- Execute the command codesign –force –deep –sign “Developer ID Application: Your Developer Name” /path/to/your/app.
In the code, replace Developer’s Name with your name and /path/to/your/app with instructions to reach the app. For Slack App, the code would be; codesign –force –deep –sign “Developer ID Application: Laiba” /Applications/slack.app. - Press the Enter key to run the command.
Force Quit The App
You can force quit an app if it is not responding or displaying errors while launching. This fix will completely quit the app on your system, and you can restart it after a minute. Besides, see how we fixed Windows Could Not Prepare Computer To Boot Installation Error.
- Access the Apple menu.
- Select Force Quit from the mini-menu.
Force Quit – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Highlight the relevant app and hit the Force Quit button.
Update The App
Using the latest versions of apps on your devices is always recommended to keep up its hassle-free functioning. An outdated version can lead to loading issues, app crashes and freezing, and even the “”You do not have permission to open the application (contact your computer or network administrator for assistance)” error.
- Go to App Store.
App Store – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Select Updates from the left bar and see if any latest updates are available for the concerned app.
Updates – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - You can also manually Search for the app to look for its updates.
Update MacOS On Your Device
It is mandatory to keep your macOS updated with the latest changes to allow a smooth running of its apps and features. We also have an extensive guide on How To Update Windows [11, 10, 8, And 7].
- Head to System Settings.
System Settings – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Pick General from the left panel.
- Press Software Update.
Software Update – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - The system will begin looking for updates.
Checking For Updates – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Download any available updates for your computer.
Disable Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper is a built-in defense trait on macOS that is enabled by default. The Gatekeeper lets you install trusted apps only from the App Store and recognize their developers.
- Click on the Search icon on the top bar.
- Type Terminal and open the result.
Terminal – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Enter the code, sudo spctl –master-disable, and hit Enter.
- Write your Password and press Enter.
- Execute the code, spctl –status.
Codes – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - It will Disable the Gatekeeper service on your Apple computer.
Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
SIP is a security feature in macOS that protects the system files and apps against viruses and malware attacks. Temporarily disable SIP until you can smoothly launch the problematic app and re-enable the service.
Check Whether SIP Is Enabled
- Click on Finder on the left edge of the top bar.
- Choose the first option, About This Mac.
About This Mac – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - It will open a pop-up.
- Pick System Report.
System Report – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Select the Software section from the left bar.
- Find System Integrity Protection and see if it is Enabled on your system.
SIP Enabled – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Lastly, Quit System Preferences.
Quit System Preferences – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Disable SIP
- Hit the Apple logo at the top bar.
- Press Restart from the drop-down. Simultaneously, hold the Command+R keys on your keyboard.
Restart – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Confirm Restart.
Restart – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Wait for the Apple Logo to appear and the Release The Keys.
- Allow the loading to complete.
Loading Screen – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - You will see an Examining Volumes screen once you reach the Recovery Mode. Wait till it goes away.
Examining Volumes – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Navigate to Utilities on the top bar.
Utilities – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Select Terminal from the mini-menu.
Terminal – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Execute the command, csrutil disable to Turn Off SIP.
Codes – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Quit Terminal.
Quit Terminal – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Restart your computer to apply the new settings.
Restart – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Block ocsp.apple.com
Online Certificate Service Protocol (OCSP) is a security barrier when installing new apps on your macOS device. It checks the validity of digital certificates and the security of websites and apps to keep your computer safe from threats. Blocking this service lets you install apps and services from third-party sources and use them without hindrance.
- Open Terminal.
- Enforce the command cd /etc.
- Then, write sudo nano hosts and hit Enter.
- It will ask for your Password. Type and Enter.
Codes – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Next, add a line after the pre-existing codes. Type 127.0.0.1 and ocsp.apple.com in front of it.
- Hold together Ctrl+X on the keyboard to Exit the menu.
Code – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Press Y to save the changes.
Press Y – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Lastly, hit Enter.
Also Read: How To Restart A Router? [Ultimate Guide]
Verify Sharing and Permissions
You can allow different users on your Mac device to read and access different files and apps owned under your user profile.
- Click on the Download icon from the bottom bar.
Download – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Go to the section where you can view the Downloaded apps on your PC.
- Right-Click on the concerned app.
- Choose Get Info from the sub-menu to open a new window.
Get Info – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Locate the Sharing And Permissions option. It is mainly located at the bottom of the window.
Sharing And Permissions – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Press the Lock symbol.
Lock – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Enter Your Password to modify the permissions.
Enter Password – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Allow Read And Write privileges for your username.
Read And Write – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Allow Full Disk Access in Security And Privacy
Granting Full Disk Access to an app means it can access all the files on your system and the data on the computer’s hard drive. Some apps require Full Disk Access to perform their functions, such as disk management utilities, system maintenance tools and more.
- Press the Apple Logo at the upper left corner of the screen to open a drop-down.
- Choose System Settings.
System Settings – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Highlight Privacy And Security.
- Go to Full Disk Access.
Full Disk Access – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Navigate to the concerned app and Give Access Via The Toggle Bar.
Toggle Bar – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers] - Enter your Password and hit Unlock to save the changes.
Enter Password – Image Credits [Tech4Gamers]
Final Words
Summing up, you can enable various settings for the concerned app when you come across the message, “You do not have permission to open the application (contact your computer or network administrator for assistance),” on your macOS computer. Also, check out How To Play Steam Games On Nvidia Shield Via Steam Link and What Is TDP, Factors, Overclocking & Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can occur due to insufficient access for the concerned app, or the app is not signed by or verified by Apple
You can solve the error by updating the app, force signing it, disabling the Gatekeeper, and more.
Gatekeeper protects your computer from malware attacks. Hence, re-enable the Gatekeeper once you resolve the issue.
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