Opening LidRun Outside the App Store
LidRun isn't distributed through the Mac App Store, so the first time you open it, macOS shows a dialog asking if you're sure you want to run an app downloaded from the internet. That's a standard macOS check, not a sign that something's wrong — click Open, and here's exactly why that's safe.
Why LidRun isn't on the App Store
App Store apps run in a sandbox that blocks the specific system permission LidRun needs to manage sleep and clamshell behavior. That permission is the whole point of the app, so a sandboxed version would lose Closed-Lid mode entirely — the feature people install LidRun for.
The tradeoff is that LidRun ships as a direct download instead, which is exactly why macOS shows the extra confirmation dialog the first time you open it.
What to do when you open it
Double-click LidRun from Launchpad or Applications. macOS shows a dialog saying it downloaded the app from the internet and asking if you're sure you want to open it — click Open.
That's the only extra step. After this first launch, LidRun opens normally like any other app, with no repeated prompts.
Why it's safe: signed and notarized by Apple
LidRun is signed with a real Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, which means Apple has scanned the binary for known malware signatures before macOS will let it run at all. Unsigned or unnotarized apps get blocked outright by Gatekeeper — LidRun clears that bar.
LidRun also doesn't collect personal data beyond what's needed to run your license — see the privacy policy for the full list. The permission dialog is about running the app at all, not about the app reading your files or browsing history.
If LidRun still won't open
If macOS reports the app is damaged or won't open even after clicking Open, the most common cause is a partial or corrupted download. Re-download the .dmg from lidrun.com/download and try again — see Install LidRun for the full steps.
If it still won't launch after a fresh download, email support with what you're seeing and your macOS version.
Download LidRun and follow this guide from your own menu bar.
Frequently asked
It doesn't — that warning is for unsigned apps. LidRun is signed with a real Apple Developer ID, so the dialog you see just confirms it was downloaded from the internet, which is a lighter, one-time check.
Yes. LidRun is notarized by Apple, meaning Apple has already scanned it for malware before macOS allows it to run. This dialog appears for any signed app downloaded outside the App Store — it's not specific to LidRun and not a red flag.
The App Store sandbox blocks the system permission LidRun needs to manage sleep and clamshell behavior — without it, Closed-Lid mode wouldn't work at all. Direct distribution is the tradeoff for keeping that feature.
Re-download the .dmg from lidrun.com/download — this almost always means the first download was incomplete or corrupted. If a fresh download still doesn't open, email support with your macOS version and what you're seeing.