Troubleshooting "Application 'Dock' Does Not Have Permission To Open" Error in macOS

This guide provides seven solutions for the macOS error "Application 'Dock' Does Not Have Permission To Open," which can occur when launching apps from the Dock or Finder. While the exact cause is unknown, these workarounds offer potential fixes.

Simple Solutions

  1. Remove and Relaunch: Remove the app from the Dock, then relaunch it from the Applications folder in Finder.
  2. Relocate the App: Temporarily move the app to a different folder and try opening it again.
  3. Right-Click Open: Control-click or right-click the app and select "Open" from the context menu.
  4. Check Privacy & Security: In System Settings > Privacy & Security, check for any blocked app messages. If found, click "Open Anyway" (proceed with caution).

Advanced Solutions

  1. Launch from Terminal: Right-click the app, select "Show Package Contents," navigate to Contents > MacOS, drag the file with the app's name into Terminal, and press Return.
  2. Edit Info.plist: (For self-developed apps) Create a backup of the Info.plist file within the app's Contents folder, then remove unnecessary parameters. See Four Challenges Facing Passkeys for related information on app security.
  3. Self-Sign the App: Open Terminal and use the command sudo codesign --force --deep --sign - [PATH]/[TO]/[YOUR]/[APP].app, replacing [PATH]/[TO]/[YOUR]/[APP].app with the app's path. This method, while robust, should resolve the issue. For more on app development, see iOS 18.3 Release Imminent: What to Expect.

These solutions offer various approaches to resolving the permission error, ranging from simple workarounds to more advanced techniques. For additional macOS tips, check out CarPlay Tips and Tricks.