How to fix: AltDeploy.app “will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash”?

The warnings “AltDeploy.app will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash” and “You do not have permission to open the application” on macOS are triggered by Gatekeeper, a security feature that blocks apps from unverified developers or those flagged as potential malware.

These errors often appear with tools like AltDeploy (a utility for sideloading apps to iOS devices) due to revoked certificates, lack of notarization, or macOS detecting it as untrusted.

Also, the method can be used to solve:-
– xcrun: error: invalid active developer path (/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools), missing xcrun at: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/xcrun /Users/sherifeid/Desktop/AltDeploy.app/Contents/MacOS/AltDeploy: the codesign_allocate helper tool cannot be found or used.
– missing xcrun
– xcrun: error
– install Xcode command line tools

Below are step-by-step solutions to fix this issue using built-in macOS tools.

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Step-by-Step Solutions for “AltDeploy .app will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash”

1. Verify the Source and Redownload (Recommended First Step)

• Why: The version of AltDeploy you have might be outdated, corrupted, or flagged by Apple due to a revoked certificate.
• How:
  • Delete the current AltDeploy.app (drag it to Trash and empty Trash).
  • Download the latest version from the official GitHub page: https://github.com/pixelomer/AltDeploy.
  • Ensure you’re getting it from this trusted source to avoid tampered files.
• Test: Double-click the new AltDeploy.app. If the error persists, proceed to the next steps.

2. Override Gatekeeper via System Settings (Quick Fix)

• Try Opening the App:
  • Double-click AltDeploy.app in Finder (e.g., from /Applications or ~/Downloads). You’ll see the malware warning.
• Open System Settings:
  • Go to Apple menu () > System Settings (or System Preferences on macOS 12 or earlier) > Privacy & Security (or Security & Privacy).
• Allow the App:
  • Look for a message like “‘AltDeploy.app’ was blocked because it is not from an identified developer.”
  • Click Open Anyway next to it (this option appears after attempting to open the app).
• Retry:
  • Double-click AltDeploy.app again. Enter your admin password if prompted. It should now open.
• Note: This is a one-time override and adds AltDeploy to Gatekeeper’s exceptions.

3. Bypass Quarantine via Terminal (Manual Override)

• Open Terminal:
  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
• Remove Quarantine Attribute:
  • Run this command, replacing the path with AltDeploy’s location (drag the app into Terminal to auto-fill the path):
    sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/AltDeploy.app
  • Example:
    sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/AltDeploy.app
  • Enter your admin password when prompted.
• Launch the App:
  • Double-click AltDeploy.app. It should open without the warning.
• Why: This removes the quarantine flag that marks the app as untrusted, bypassing the “malware” alert.

4. Right-Click Open (Simple Workaround)

• Open via Context Menu:
  • In Finder, right-click AltDeploy.app > Open.
  • A dialog will show an “Open” option (unlike double-clicking, which only offers “Move to Trash” or “Cancel”).
  • Click Open.
• Why: This explicitly tells macOS you trust the app, overriding the initial block.
• After: Future launches should work normally via double-click.

5. Temporarily Disable Gatekeeper (Broad Fix – Use with Caution)

• Open Terminal:
  • Run:
    sudo spctl --master-disable
  • Enter your admin password.
• Launch the App:
  • Double-click AltDeploy.app—it should open without errors.
• Re-enable Gatekeeper (Recommended):
  • After running AltDeploy, turn Gatekeeper back on for security:
    sudo spctl --master-enable
• Why: This disables Gatekeeper entirely, allowing all unsigned apps, but it reduces security—only use temporarily.

6. Address Revoked Certificate (If Persistent)

• Why: Older AltDeploy versions had certificates revoked by Apple, triggering the “damage your computer” warning.
• Check Certificate:
  • Run:
    codesign -vv /path/to/AltDeploy.app
  • If it says “revoked” or “invalid,” the certificate is the issue.
• Fix:
  • Redownload the latest AltDeploy version (Step 1).
  • If unavailable, use Terminal to strip the quarantine (Step 3) or override Gatekeeper (Step 2/4).

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Troubleshooting

• “Open Anyway” Not Showing:
• Try opening the app first, then check Privacy & Security again. If still missing, use Terminal (Step 3).
• Permission Denied:
• Ensure you’re using sudo in Terminal and entering the correct password. Drag the app into Terminal to avoid path errors.
• Warning Persists After Trash:
• If you moved AltDeploy to Trash and the popup remains, empty the Trash:
  rm -rf ~/.Trash/AltDeploy.app
• Restart your Mac to clear residual alerts.
• App Crashes:
• Ensure you have Xcode installed (required for AltDeploy to sign IPA files):
  xcode-select --install
• Accept Xcode license terms if prompted.

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Notes

• Security Risk: These fixes bypass macOS protections. Only proceed if you trust AltDeploy (e.g., from its official GitHub). The “malware” warning doesn’t mean AltDeploy is malicious—it’s often just unnotarized or has an outdated certificate.
• macOS Version: Tested on Big Sur and later (April 6, 2025). Older versions (e.g., Mojave) may show an “Anywhere” option in Security & Privacy—select it if available.
• Purpose: AltDeploy sideloads apps to iOS devices, so after fixing, connect your iPhone/iPad and test with an IPA file.