Docs / Troubleshooting

"App is damaged" or won't open

If macOS says Crawlpit Monster "is damaged and can't be opened," the app is not actually damaged. This is Gatekeeper being cautious about an app it has not seen notarized yet, and it clears in one step.

Troubleshooting Gatekeeper 2 min read

The same applies to the message that it "cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer."

What is happening

During the beta, Crawlpit Monster is not yet notarized by Apple. macOS adds a quarantine flag to apps downloaded from the internet, and for an app it does not recognize as notarized, Gatekeeper blocks the first launch with a warning that sounds alarming but is routine for pre-notarization builds.

Fix 1: Right-click to open

This is the simplest, and you only do it once.

  1. Open your Applications folder in Finder.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) Crawlpit Monster and choose Open.
  3. In the dialog, click Open again.

macOS remembers this choice, so the app opens normally from then on.

Fix 2: Clear the quarantine flag in Terminal

If the "damaged" message will not clear with Fix 1, remove the quarantine flag once. Open Terminal (in Applications, Utilities) and paste this, then press Return:

xattr -cr "/Applications/Crawlpit Monster.app"

Then open the app normally. This tells macOS to trust the copy you already downloaded.

Why this is safe

You downloaded the app from the official site over HTTPS. The warning is about notarization status, not the integrity of the file. Clearing the quarantine flag simply lets the app you already have run.

When it will go away

This step disappears entirely once the app is notarized by Apple. After that, Crawlpit Monster opens on a double-click like any other app, with no warning and no Terminal.

If it still will not open

  • Confirm you are on macOS 12 or later. See System requirements.
  • Make sure you downloaded the build that matches your chip, Apple Silicon or Intel.
  • Re-download the .dmg from the download page in case the file did not finish downloading.

Frequently asked questions

Is the app really damaged?

No. The message is a Gatekeeper warning about an app that is not yet notarized. The file is fine.

Is it safe to bypass this warning?

Yes, for an app you downloaded from the official site. The step lets the copy you already have run.

Why does this happen?

The app is not yet notarized during the beta, and macOS is cautious about apps it has not seen notarized.

When will I stop seeing it?

Once notarization is in place. Then the app opens normally with no extra step.