Open an app by overriding security settings You can open an app that isn’t allowed to open by manually overriding the settings in Security & Privacy preferences. In the Finder on your Mac, locate the app you want to open. Most apps can be found in the Applications folder. Control-click the app icon, then choose Open from the shortcut menu. Click Open. The app is saved as an exception to your security settings, and you can open it in the future by double-clicking it, just as you can any authorised app.