That isn’t the case for Mac, thoughyou can download apps from anywhere.

So how do you install apps from outside the store, and should you?

Should You Install Apps From Outside the Mac App Store?

Screenshot showing that Spotify isnt in the Mac App Store.

The App Store also doesn’t allow trial versions.

And they come with an extra layer of protection anyway.

However, developers don’t have to register and get their apps checked.

Warning saying a Mac app cannot be opened for security reasons.

This is where any potential risk comes in.

Apps from unknown developers may still be safe, but there are no guarantees.

You should always be wary of apps you aren’t sure about or have downloaded from sketchy sources.

Screenshot showing how to install a Mac app downloaded from the internet.

There are different ways to do it, depending on the format you download the app in.

In most cases, the app will be in the DMG formatan Apple Disk Image.

Here, double-smack the icon and follow the onscreen instructions.

Screenshot showing the Mac app installer in action.

Unless you have specific requirements, you’re able to accept all the default configs.

For these, simply unzip the file to reveal the app.

Now open Finder and drag the app into the Applications folder.

Mac dialog box asking if you want to open an app downloaded from the internet.

From there, you’re able to alsodrag the app onto the dockfor easy access.

When you run it for the first time, there’s one final step to complete.

It will ask you to confirm you want to launch the app, so click “Open.”

The Mac setting that allows you to open potentially unsafe apps.

You won’t have to do this the next time you run it.

By default, macOS will not launch these apps.

you’re free to override this if you want to.

Again, you’ll only have to do this the first time you launch the app.

In most cases, it’s totally safe to install Mac apps from outside the App Store.

Indeed, it’s the only way to get some of the most popular apps and games at all.