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PDF file cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer

I have a lot of scanned books and I use both Acrobat Pro DC and Preview. Acrobat is better at text recognition and searching but it's very heavy and slow so I switch between the programs.

My default program for PDFs is Acrobat but every time I set Preview as a default program for a certain file and I open it, I get this "cannot be opened" notification and I have to approve it in the preferences again and again. How can I solve this?

Thank you

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Feb 23, 2020 1:17 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 23, 2020 1:22 PM

Interesting it happens on a PDF file (?) typically this is applications that GateKeeper stops according to preferences.


Try holding the Control key>open to bypass this. Sometimes you have to be reject 2-3 times before finally it lets you>Open


If you can post a link to a particular PDF you are having issues with, I can test it myself for issues out of your control.


Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 23, 2020 1:22 PM in response to shlook

Interesting it happens on a PDF file (?) typically this is applications that GateKeeper stops according to preferences.


Try holding the Control key>open to bypass this. Sometimes you have to be reject 2-3 times before finally it lets you>Open


If you can post a link to a particular PDF you are having issues with, I can test it myself for issues out of your control.


Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support


PDF file cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer

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