Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Developer cannot be verified macOS error/exception - a) Move to Trash b) cancel

MacOS security feature prevents running unverified apps.

Quick Answer: Try using the 'Open' command with the '-X' flag to bypass verification.

The error 'Chromium' will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash

🔍 Why This Happens

  • This issue occurs due to macOS's built-in Security feature called 'System Integrity Protection (SIP)' which prevents certain applications from running if they are not digitally signed or have not been specifically allowed by the user.
  • The SIP feature is designed to protect the system from malicious software and ensure the integrity of the file system. However, it can sometimes cause issues with legitimate applications that were installed before SIP was enabled.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) on Catalina

  1. Step 1: Go to the Apple menu and select 'About This Mac.'
  2. Step 2: Click on the 'System Report' button.
  3. Step 3: In the System Report window, click on 'Software' and then select 'Security & Privacy'.
  4. Step 4: In the Security & Privacy window, click on the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your administrator password.
  5. Step 5: Select 'Security Options' from the dropdown menu.
  6. Step 6: Check the box next to 'Allow applications downloaded from: Anywhere' and click 'OK'.
  7. Step 7: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Disable SIP for a specific application (Chromium)

  1. Step 1: Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder or use Spotlight to search for it.
  2. Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter: `sudo spctl -a`
  3. Step 3: This will list all the applications that are allowed to run without SIP protection. Look for Chromium in the list.
  4. Step 4: If Chromium is not already listed, you can add it by typing the following command and pressing Enter: `spctl --add-execution-policy anybody @/path/to/chromium.app` Replace /path/to/chromium.app with the actual path to your Chromium application.
  5. Step 5: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

🎯 Final Words

By disabling SIP or adding Chromium to the list of allowed applications, you should be able to run the app without being prompted by the 'Chromium will damage your computer' error message. Note that this may require administrative privileges and careful handling of system settings.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions