Problem: I am getting the pop up “Key36.plugin” will damage your computer while trying to run Key36 on my Mac.
Over the years the MacOS security Gatekeeper service has become more strict, and sometimes KEY36 is seen as malware simply because it was downloaded from the internet and not from Apple directly.
To get rid of this KEY36 error, you will need to temporarily disable Gatekeeper to allow you to open and install software from anywhere. To do this, you need to run a command that will give you the option in System Preferences to select Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere.
By default this option is hidden on more recent versions of MacOS:
1. Open the Terminal app.
2. Paste the following command and hit Return on your keyboard:
sudo spctl --master-disable
3. Enter your admin password and hit Return.
4. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura) > Security & Privacy.
5. Tick the yellow lock to verify the user and allow changes.
6. Under the General tab, you will find a new option that allows apps downloaded from: Anywhere. Select this option:
Next, close Photoshop and re-download and reinstall KEY36 from here.
Open an image in Photoshop and run KEY36.
You should once again see this pop up:
Click Show in Finder.
Right click KEY36.plugin and choose Get Info.
Click on the “Override Malware Protection” checkbox
You should now be able to run KEY36 in Photoshop.
To re-enable Gatekeeper to keep your Mac safe from Malware, go to Apple Menu > System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura) > Security & Privacy.
Under the General tab, click allow apps downloaded from: App store and identified developers. You may need to enter your password again to make the change.
If you close system preferences and reopen it, the third option (Anywhere) will be gone.
KEY36 should still run as usual.