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# Installing MD DOCS on macOS

The Mac version of **MD DOCS** is **code-signed** with an Apple Developer ID, but it is **not yet notarized** by Apple. Because of that, macOS shows a **one-time** security prompt the first time you open it. This is normal — once you approve it, MD DOCS opens straight away every time after.

Follow the steps for your macOS version below.

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## macOS 15 (Sequoia) and later

Apple removed the old right-click shortcut in Sequoia, so the approval now lives in System Settings:

1. Double-click **MD DOCS** (in Applications, or wherever you put it).
2. A dialog says it can't be opened because Apple can't check it for malicious software — click **Done**.
3. Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security**.
4. Scroll down to the **Security** section. You'll see a message like *"MD DOCS was blocked to protect your Mac."*
5. Click **Open Anyway**.
6. Confirm with **Touch ID** or your password, then click **Open**.

That's it — MD DOCS now opens normally from then on.

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## macOS 14 (Sonoma) and earlier

1. **Right-click** (or **Control-click**) the **MD DOCS** app icon.
2. Choose **Open** from the menu.
3. In the warning dialog, click **Open** again.

MD DOCS launches and is remembered as safe, so future launches just double-click as usual.

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## Optional: Terminal shortcut

If you're comfortable in Terminal, you can remove the quarantine flag so there's no prompt at all:

```bash
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/MD DOCS.app"
```

Adjust the path if you installed MD DOCS somewhere other than **Applications**.

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## Tip: avoid the prompt entirely

The security prompt is triggered by the *quarantine* flag macOS adds to files downloaded from a browser. If you transfer the MD DOCS app to the Mac via **AirDrop** or a **USB drive** instead of downloading it, the flag usually isn't added — and you won't see the warning at all.

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## Why does this happen?

- **Signed** means the app is verified as coming from a known developer and hasn't been tampered with.
- **Notarized** is an additional Apple service that scans the app and lets it open with **no warning whatsoever**.

A signed-but-not-notarized app is safe to run; macOS just asks you to confirm once. A future MD DOCS release that is fully notarized will open with no prompt at all.