Encountering the frustrating message “Google Drive can’t scan this file for viruses” when trying to open a downloaded application on your macOS system? This is a common hurdle, especially when dealing with apps not directly from the Apple App Store. While Google Drive’s warning is a security measure, it can sometimes block legitimate applications. This article, drawing from expert user experiences, will guide you through practical methods to bypass this scan error and safely access your files.
Understanding the “Can’t Scan” Error on macOS
This message doesn’t always indicate a virus. macOS has built-in security features, like Gatekeeper, which are designed to protect your system from malware. When you download an application from the internet, macOS may quarantine it. Google Drive, in turn, might flag this quarantine, leading to the “can’t scan” message. This often occurs with smaller or less common applications that haven’t been notarized by Apple.
Solutions to Open Your Application
Here are several user-proven methods to resolve this issue and open your application, ranging from simple workarounds to slightly more technical approaches.
Method 1: The “Right-Click and Open” Trick
This is often the quickest and easiest solution. macOS offers a bypass for quarantined applications through the right-click menu.
- Locate the Application: Find the application file in Finder, usually in your Downloads folder or Applications folder.
- Right-Click (or Control-Click): Instead of double-clicking to open, right-click on the application icon.
- Select “Open”: From the context menu that appears, choose “Open”.
- Confirm “Open”: A dialog box will pop up, warning you about the application’s origin. Click “Open” again.
- Admin Password (If Prompted): You might be asked to enter your administrator name and password to confirm your action.
This method essentially tells macOS that you are intentionally choosing to open this application despite the initial security warning.
Method 2: Using Terminal to Remove Quarantine Attribute
For a more direct approach, you can use the Terminal application to remove the quarantine attribute from the file. This command line method is favored by more technical users.
- Open Terminal: Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
- Type the Command: In the Terminal window, type
xattr -d com.apple.quarantine(make sure there is a space after “quarantine”). - Drag and Drop: Find the application file in Finder and drag its icon directly into the Terminal window. This will automatically paste the file path into the command line.
- Press Enter: Press the Return key to execute the command.
- Open the Application: Now, try to open the application by double-clicking it. The “can’t scan” message should be gone.
This command specifically removes the “com.apple.quarantine” extended attribute, which is what triggers the security warnings.
Method 3: Employing Pacifist for Installation
In some cases, especially with installer packages, using a third-party utility like Pacifist can help. Pacifist is designed to open package files and bypass certain macOS restrictions during installation.
- Download and Install Pacifist: Obtain Pacifist from a reputable source like http://www.charlessoft.com/. They offer a demo mode you can use.
- Open with Pacifist: Instead of directly opening the application installer, right-click on it and choose “Open With” > “Pacifist”.
- Install from Pacifist: Pacifist will allow you to open the package contents. Use Pacifist’s interface to install the application.
Pacifist can be particularly useful when dealing with complex installers that are being blocked by macOS’s security measures.
Conclusion: Opening Your Files Safely
While the “Google Drive can’t scan this file for viruses” message can be concerning, it’s often a result of macOS’s robust security protocols rather than an actual virus. By using methods like right-clicking to open, employing Terminal commands, or utilizing Pacifist, you can often bypass this error and access your applications. Always ensure you trust the source of your downloaded files and exercise caution when overriding security warnings. These solutions provide practical ways to manage these situations and maintain control over the applications you use on your Mac.
