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Level 1

103 points

file is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the Trash.

All the files that I download from the internet return the error "*****" is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the Trash. when I try to open them. This issue started today.

To clarify the problem only applies to downloaded files like apps, zip and dmg.

I'm able to open all the other files and run apps.

To solve the issue I reinstalled Catalina and disable Gatekeeper without any success.

Any Ideas on how to resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Mac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) running Catalina 10..15.1

Thanks in advance,

WFG

iMac 27", macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 26, 2019 5:05 PM

Best reply

Old Toad

Level 10

207,643 points

Posted on Nov 27, 2019 1:43 PM

To tell if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide log into another user account on your Mac, download a file and try to open it. If it opens then we know the problem is limited to your account.

Back in your account boot into Safe Mode (Use Safe Mode to isolate issues with your Mac) and repeat the download and open test. Reboot normally try opening the files again.\

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing some system cache cleaning, volume verifying and directory repairing.

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Similar questions

59 replies

Jan 14, 2020 7:28 AM in response to wgrahame

This problem has been driving me crazy. The fix so far that worked for me was to turn off SIP protection restart check my files were working and then re-enable it. So far so good.

MacPCmb

Level 1

9 points

Jan 14, 2020 8:00 AM in response to nekken169

Glad that technique has worked for you. I have not seen any reoccurrence after re-enabling SIP. Hoping it stays that way!

Best of luck to you.

RiPC

Level 1

12 points

Mar 17, 2020 8:20 AM in response to nekken169

I have also found that I can successfully open a file from within an App e.g. Adobe Reader. However the same file will not open from within Finder.

LD150

Level 10

89,865 points

Mar 17, 2020 9:22 AM in response to RiPC

What do you see in Finder if you use Open With ?

(Strictly speaking you shgould open a new thread.)

RiPC

Level 1

12 points

Mar 17, 2020 10:11 AM in response to LD150

I get the 'can't be opened' message, e.g.

“April Payments.numbers” is damaged and can’t be opened.

RiPC

Level 1

12 points

Mar 17, 2020 11:19 AM in response to Old Toad

Done, but same result (only tried one file)

LD150

Level 10

89,865 points

Mar 17, 2020 11:59 AM in response to RiPC

You didn't tell us what options you have when you choose "Open With" - does it give a list of apps?

I hope you are trying to open it with Numbers app? Your example was an Adobe app.

RiPC

Level 1

12 points

Mar 17, 2020 12:20 PM in response to LD150

It gives the default app, and a list of others. Behaviour is true for all file types except (possibly) rtf and txt. Some files (maybe those created not imported/downloaded?) open ok.