The Bark Desktop App not opening can take several forms:
Form #1: A pop-up saying, "Bark is damaged and can’t be opened. You should move it to the Trash."
Form #2: App doesn't open, or opens for a second and immediately disappears.
Form #3: A pop-up saying, "Bark can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software."
Solutions for Form #1:
- Move the bark-#-.dmg file to the Trash.
- Look for Bark on the left column of Finder, and if there, click Eject.
- Re-download the App here: bark.us/ios
- Continue the Bark installation as normal by following the steps here.
Solutions for Forms #2 and #3:
The latest versions of MacOS (starting with macOS 10.14) contain security policies that may mean you have to give the Bark Desktop App additional permissions to run on your Mac.
The good news is, we have developed instructions for you below!
First: Confirm which version of Mac you are using.
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen.
- Click on About This Mac.
- A pop-up will appear similar to the one below, telling you which version you are on.
- If you are on macOS 10.14, proceed to the section immediately below or click here.
- If you are on macOS 10.15 or newer, proceed to the second section below or click here.
Instructions for MacOS 10.14
STEP 1: Click on the Apple icon on the top left. Click on System Preferences.
- Then open Security & Privacy settings, as indicated below:
STEP 2: Adjust permissions settings for Bark.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Click on Full Disk Access on the left. This is where you add the Bark Desktop App to the list of applications you give permission to work on your computer.
- Click on the lock at the bottom of the window and log in with your Mac password to be able to change settings.
- Click the + sign to add Bark to the list.
STEP 3: To open the Bark Desktop App, navigate to Finder, select Applications on the left column, and open Bark.
NOTE: If it is still not opening, you may have to check that your settings allow you to download apps from outside the Mac App Store. To do so, navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab and select Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers, as seen below:
Instructions for MacOS 10.15 or Newer
STEP 1: Click on the Apple icon on the top left. Click on System Preferences.
- Then open Security & Privacy settings, as indicated below:
STEP 2: Click on the padlock on the bottom left to allow changes to these settings.
- You will be prompted to enter your Mac user password.
STEP 3: If applicable, click Open Anyway, as seen below:
STEP 4: Click on the Privacy tab.
STEP 5: Scroll down on the left column to Full Disk Access.
STEP 6: Click on the + symbol.
STEP 7: Open Finder > select Applications from the left column, select Bark, and click Open.
The Bark Desktop app will be able to open now!
NOTE: If it is still not opening, you may have to check that your settings allow you to download apps from outside the Mac App Store. To do so, navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab and select Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers, as seen below:
Still no luck?
We're here to help! Please reach out to us with screenshots of the issue and the steps you've tried.
