[FIXED] You Do Not Have Permission To Open The Application

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.

1. From the Apple menu, highlight Recent Items.
2. Click on Clear Menu from the sub-box.

   

3. Next, go to System Preferences from the Apple menu.
   

   

4. Pick the General icon.

   

5. Look at the last option on this dialog box, Recent Items.
6. Set it to None.
   

   

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.

1. Close all the running apps on your computer.
2. Click on the Go button from the top bar.
3. Select Go to Folder.
   

   

4. Type /Library/Image Capture/Devices in the dialog box and hit Go.
   

   

5. Now, Double-Click on the app that you cannot open.
6. 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. 

1. Launch Terminal on your Mac computer.
2. Type sudo chmod -R 755 /path/to/your/file. 
   For Slack, type; sudo chmod -R 755 /Applications/slack.app
   

   

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.

1. Open Terminal on your macOS PC.

   

2. 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
3. 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. 

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. Access the Apple menu.
2. Select Force Quit from the mini-menu.

   

3. 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. 

1. Go to App Store.
   

   

2. Select Updates from the left bar and see if any latest updates are available for the concerned app.

   

3. 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].

1. Head to System Settings.
   

   

2. Pick General from the left panel.
3. Press Software Update.
   

   

4. The system will begin looking for updates.

   

5. 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.

1. Click on the Search icon on the top bar.
2. Type Terminal and open the result.

   

3. Enter the code, sudo spctl –master-disable, and hit Enter.
4. Write your Password and press Enter.
   
5. Execute the code, spctl –status.
   

   

6. 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

1. Click on Finder on the left edge of the top bar.
2. Choose the first option, About This Mac.

   

3. It will open a pop-up.
4. Pick System Report.
   

   

5. Select the Software section from the left bar.
6. Find System Integrity Protection and see if it is Enabled on your system.

   

7. Lastly, Quit System Preferences.
   

   

Disable SIP

1. Hit the Apple logo at the top bar.
2. Press Restart from the drop-down. Simultaneously, hold the Command+R keys on your keyboard.

   

3. Confirm Restart.
   

   

4. Wait for the Apple Logo to appear and the Release The Keys.
5. Allow the loading to complete.

   

6. You will see an Examining Volumes screen once you reach the Recovery Mode. Wait till it goes away.

   

7. Navigate to Utilities on the top bar.

   

8. Select Terminal from the mini-menu.

   

9. Execute the command, csrutil disable to Turn Off SIP.

   

10. Quit Terminal.
    

    

11. Restart your computer to apply the new settings.
    

    

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.

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enforce the command cd /etc.
3. Then, write sudo nano hosts and hit Enter.
4. It will ask for your Password. Type and Enter.
   

   

5. Next, add a line after the pre-existing codes. Type 127.0.0.1 and ocsp.apple.com in front of it.
6. Hold together Ctrl+X on the keyboard to Exit the menu.

   

7. Press Y to save the changes.

   

8. 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.

1. Click on the Download icon from the bottom bar.

   

2. Go to the section where you can view the Downloaded apps on your PC.
3. Right-Click on the concerned app.
4. Choose Get Info from the sub-menu to open a new window.

   

5. Locate the Sharing And Permissions option. It is mainly located at the bottom of the window.

   

6. Press the Lock symbol.

   

7. Enter Your Password to modify the permissions.

   

8. Allow Read And Write privileges for your username.

   

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.

1. Press the Apple Logo at the upper left corner of the screen to open a drop-down.
2. Choose System Settings.
   

   

3. Highlight Privacy And Security.
4. Go to Full Disk Access.
   

   

5. Navigate to the concerned app and Give Access Via The Toggle Bar.
   

   

6. Enter your Password and hit Unlock to save the changes.

   

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.