Updater.app is damaged and can't be opened — by Schnargleator on Apple Community

intermediateforumLink only (©)

User answer explaining that this error can appear when the file merely carries com.apple.quarantine. Gives a find command to locate copies of the app and a loop to print each one's xattr so you can see which is flagged. Not official Apple guidance.

Quick steps

find / -name Updater.app 2> /dev/null > files_Updater.app_list
for i in $(cat files_Updater.app_list) ; do echo $i ; xattr $i ; done

Paraphrased from the source. Menus can differ by version, so check the original for full details.

Read the full thread on discussions.apple.com

Source: Updater.app is damaged and can't be opened by Schnargleator on Apple Community. Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

gatekeeperquarantinexattrdamaged app

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