First Launch on macOS

The current macOS build is distributed as an unsigned open-source DMG. On first launch, macOS may say the developer cannot be verified, the app cannot be opened, or the app was downloaded from the internet. That usually reflects system security policy, not a broken install.

Use the UI path first and the terminal command last. Most first-launch cases are solved by moving the app into Applications, right-clicking Open, and allowing it in system settings.

[Screenshot: macOS security dialog blocking Ameow on first launch]

Recommended order

Do these in order. Do not start with terminal commands:

1. Drag Ameow.app into Applications.
2. Right-click Ameow.app in Applications.
3. Choose Open.
4. If the system prompts again, allow it to open.
5. If that still fails, allow it in system settings.
6. Only then use xattr to remove quarantine.

1. Confirm you are not running from the DMG

After opening the DMG, drag Ameow.app into Applications. Do not keep launching it directly from the mounted DMG window.

Success state: Ameow.app appears in Applications and you launch it from there.

2. Use right-click Open

1. Open Applications.
2. Find Ameow.app.
3. Right-click it, or Control-click it.
4. Choose Open.
5. Confirm again in the dialog.

Right-click Open is not the same as double-clicking. For unsigned apps, it usually gives you the extra confirmation path you need.

3. Allow it in system settings

If right-click Open still fails:

1. open System Settings;
2. go to Privacy & Security;
3. find the security notice that mentions Ameow;
4. click the option to allow or open it anyway;
5. launch Ameow again.

[Screenshot: macOS Privacy & Security showing the allow-anyway option for Ameow]

Success state: Ameow launches and the floating window appears.

4. Remove quarantine with a command

If system settings does not show the allow option, or allowing it there still fails, run:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Ameow.app"

Then relaunch Ameow from Applications.

Only use this command on the Ameow app you already placed in Applications. Do not run it on apps from uncertain sources.

What if it still will not open?

Check in this order:

1. you downloaded the Apple Silicon / arm64 DMG, not a different platform file;
2. the DMG finished downloading correctly and was not truncated;
3. the app is really in Applications;
4. the current macOS account has permission to run it;
5. you are on the latest stable release.

If the Release Notes mention a macOS launch, DMG, or Gatekeeper fix, update to that version or newer first.