macOS Security: erroneous messages eg “openjdk-20-x64.jdk is damaged and can't be opened”

2023-03-28 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Apple, Apple Core Rot, Apple macOS, Java, security

re: Apple Core Rot

Apple continues to degrade the user experience by issuing totally false (erroneous) warnings for some downloads. Or making your perfectly good software obsolete.

The situation is beyond ridiculous. It’s confusing and frustrating even for developers writing code. It’s become a kind of harrassment in which Apple constantly changes things for the worse*, provides no explanation, leaving users hung out to dry.

This mess is what Apple calls “upgrading”.

The level of interference with doing simple things is beyond confusing for most users, unless you stick exclusively to the App Store. Which developers by the millions cannot.

* The equivalent of the new dog in the neighborhood urinating on the fire hydrant.

Example — installing OpenJDK

When OpenJDK 20 (or OpenJDK 19) is installed manually, no issue at all.

Installed via script, the system fails to clear some quarantine flag, with the erroneous message shown below when trying to run 'java'.

Fortunately there is a workaround using the command line. For a folder named FOLDER_NAME, use this command in Terminal.app:

sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine FOLDER_NAME

Erroneous (wholly FALSE) Apple security message