“Apple could not verify” — how to open a beta Mac app
The first time you open the peeq beta, macOS shows a message like “peeq” Not Opened — Apple could not verify “peeq” is free of malware. Here’s what it means and how to get past it in under a minute.
Why you see it
Apps downloaded from the web go through Gatekeeper. If an app isn’t notarized — scanned by Apple and stamped with a ticket — macOS won’t open it with a double-click. The peeq beta is signed and built with the Hardened Runtime, but it isn’t notarized yet. Notarization will come with the full release.
How to open peeq (macOS 15 and later)
- Double-click peeq in Applications. When the warning appears, click Done.
- Open System Settings and go to Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to Security. You’ll see “peeq” was blocked to protect your Mac.
- Click Open Anyway, then confirm with your password or Touch ID.
- Click Open in the last dialog. peeq starts in the notch.
You only do this once. After that peeq opens normally, including at login.
On macOS 15 Sequoia and later, the old shortcut of Control-clicking the app and choosing Open no longer skips this step; System Settings is the way.
Is it safe?
Only open apps from a source you trust. During the beta, peeq builds come only from us, by email, after you join the testlist. If someone sends you peeq any other way, don’t open it.
Still stuck?
- No Open Anyway button? It only appears for about an hour after you tried to open the app. Double-click peeq again, then go back to Privacy & Security.
- “peeq is damaged and can’t be opened”? The download was probably interrupted. Delete it, download it again from your invite email, and unzip it with Finder.
- Nothing in the notch? peeq has no Dock icon. Look for its icon in the menu bar, and make sure you’re on the MacBook’s built-in display.
Write to hello@peeq.space if none of that helps.