Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 69 views

Unable to Run Current Version on MacOS: Troubleshooting and Solutions

Are you experiencing issues running the current version of Ollama on your MacOS device? You're not alone. Many users have reported encountering a pop-up message stating that the app cannot be opened due to security concerns. In this article, we'll delve into the possible causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve the problem.

When you try to run the current version of Ollama on your MacOS device, you may encounter a pop-up message indicating that the app cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified. This message is often accompanied by a warning stating that MacOS cannot verify that the app is free from malware. This issue is not unique to Ollama and has been reported by users of other apps as well.

There are several possible reasons why you may be experiencing this issue:

Security updates: MacOS Ventura 13.7.4, which you may have recently installed, may have introduced new security checks that are causing the issue.
Developer certificate: The developer certificate used to sign the Ollama app may have expired or been revoked, leading to the security warning.
App notarization: Ollama may not be properly notarized, which is a process required by Apple to ensure that apps are safe to run on MacOS devices.

To resolve the issue, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check for Security Updates

Ensure that your MacOS device is up-to-date with the latest security patches. Go to System Preferences > Software Update and install any available updates.

Step 2: Verify Developer Certificate

Check if the developer certificate used to sign the Ollama app is valid. You can do this by:

Checking the app's signature: Go to Finder > Applications > Ollama > Right-click > Show Package Contents > Contents > Resources > Info.plist. Look for the Signature field, which should indicate the developer's name and certificate details.
Verifying the certificate: Go to Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority. Enter the developer's name and email address, and select the certificate type. Follow the prompts to create a certificate request.

Step 3: Notarize the App

If the app is not properly notarized, you may need to submit it for notarization. To do this:

Create a Developer ID: Go to Apple Developer > Certificates, IDs & Profiles > Create a Certificate. Follow the prompts to create a Developer ID certificate.
Notarize the app: Go to Xcode > Product > Archive. Select the app and click Distribute App. Follow the prompts to submit the app for notarization.

Step 4: Reset Security Settings

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may need to reset your security settings. To do this:

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General.
Click on the lock icon and enter your administrator password.
Click on the "Reset" button to reset your security settings.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may want to try the following additional solutions:

Reinstall the app: Try reinstalling the Ollama app to see if that resolves the issue.
Contact the developer: Reach out to the Ollama developer to see if they have any additional solutions or workarounds.
Seek further assistance: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you may want to seek further assistance from Apple Support or a MacOS expert.

In conclusion, the issue of not being able to run the current version of Ollama on MacOS is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your app up and running. Remember to always keep your MacOS device up-to-date with the latest security patches and to verify the developer certificate used to sign the app. If none of the above steps resolve the issue, don't hesitate to seek further assistance from Apple Support or a MacOS expert.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unable to Run Current Version on MacOS

A: The error is caused by a security check in MacOS that verifies the developer's identity and ensures that the app is free from malware. If the developer's certificate is not valid or the app is not properly notarized, you may encounter this error.

A: To check if the developer certificate is valid, follow these steps:

Go to Finder > Applications > Ollama > Right-click > Show Package Contents > Contents > Resources > Info.plist.
Look for the Signature field, which should indicate the developer's name and certificate details.
Verify the certificate by going to Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority.

A: Notarization is a process required by Apple to ensure that apps are safe to run on MacOS devices. It involves submitting the app for review and verification by Apple. Notarization helps to prevent malware and other security threats.

A: To notarize the Ollama app, follow these steps:

Create a Developer ID certificate by going to Apple Developer > Certificates, IDs & Profiles > Create a Certificate.
Notarize the app by going to Xcode > Product > Archive. Select the app and click Distribute App. Follow the prompts to submit the app for notarization.

A: If you're still experiencing issues after trying the troubleshooting steps, you may want to try the following additional solutions:

Reinstall the app to see if that resolves the issue.
Contact the Ollama developer to see if they have any additional solutions or workarounds.
Seek further assistance from Apple Support or a MacOS expert.

A: While it's technically possible to disable the security check, it's not recommended. Disabling the security check can leave your device vulnerable to malware and other security threats. Instead, try the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article to resolve the issue.

A: To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, make sure to:

Keep your MacOS device up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Verify the developer certificate used to sign the app.
Notarize the app before distributing it.

In conclusion, the "Ollama" cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified error is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors. By following the troubleshooting steps and FAQs outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your app up and running. Remember to always keep your MacOS device up-to-date with the latest security patches and to verify the developer certificate used to sign the app.