How to open Geovo on Mac (Open Anyway)

The 3 steps (macOS 15 Sequoia and macOS 26)

1. 1

   Open Geovo

   Open the downloaded file, drag Geovo to Applications, then open Geovo from Applications. macOS shows “Geovo” Not Opened (“Apple could not verify “Geovo” is free of malware…”). Click Done, not Move to Trash.

2. 2

   Open Privacy & Security

   Open System Settings › Privacy & Security and scroll down to Security. You'll see “Geovo” was blocked to protect your Mac. Click Open Anyway.

3. 3

   Confirm once

   A dialog asks again. Click Open Anyway, then enter your Mac password or use Touch ID. Geovo opens.

Only the first time: updates installed from inside Geovo don't ask again. Downloading a new installer from the website may ask again.

On macOS 13 Ventura or 14 Sonoma

The message is different: Geovo “can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software”. Close it (don't choose Move to Trash), then open System Settings › Privacy & Security and click the same Open Anyway button.

Right-click › Open no longer skips this

On older macOS versions, Control-clicking the app and choosing Open went straight to an Open button. From macOS 15 Sequoia on, it shows the same “Geovo” Not Opened message, so use Privacy & Security › Open Anyway as above.

I don't see Open Anyway

The button only appears after you've just tried to open Geovo. Open Geovo again from Applications, click Done, then go back to System Settings › Privacy & Security and scroll down to Security.

Why does my Mac say it can't verify Geovo?

Because Geovo isn't notarized yet. Notarization is Apple's automated malware check for apps distributed outside the App Store, and it needs a paid Apple Developer Program membership, which Geovo doesn't have yet. Without it, macOS can't confirm the app with Apple, so it blocks the first open and lets you decide. It's the standard message for any app that isn't notarized. Apple explains how this works in Safely open apps on your Mac.

Is it safe?

Honest answer: notarization hasn't happened yet, so you're trusting where the file came from. Here's what Geovo is and does: - Where the download comes from. Every Download button on geovo.app points to the public GitHub releases of geovo-releases. Only download Geovo from geovo.app or that page. - What it talks to. The iPhone you connect, by cable or on your own Wi-Fi, to install the iPhone app and set its location. The only macOS permission it asks for is Local Network, to find your iPhone on your Wi-Fi. - Your Apple ID. Used only to sign the iPhone app and sent only to Apple. The password is never stored. If you turn on automatic renewal, only Apple's sign-in token is kept, in your Mac's own keychain. - Your locations. They never leave your devices. Geovo's server knows only your email, plan, devices and the minutes you used (Privacy Policy). - Updates. The in-app updater checks each update against Geovo's update signing key before installing it.

I clicked Move to Trash by mistake

Nothing is broken. Download Geovo again from geovo.app/download, drag it to Applications (replace the old copy if asked), and follow the 3 steps above.

On Windows

Windows shows SmartScreen instead. It's the same idea: the installer isn't signed with a paid certificate yet, so Windows asks once.

1. 1

   Run the installer

   Open Geovo-windows-setup.exe. Windows may show “Windows protected your PC”.

2. 2

   Click More info

   Click More info under the message. The publisher shows as unknown.

3. 3

   Click Run anyway

   Click Run anyway and follow the installer. Geovo opens when it's done.

Only the first time: updates installed from inside Geovo don't ask again.

Before you plug in your iPhone, install iTunes from apple.com (not the Microsoft Store version): it includes Apple's iPhone driver. Next: set up your iPhone.