Install on Mac

Install on Mac

The Mac app ships as a .dmg attached to the latest release. Unlike the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV builds, it needs no Apple ID and no re-signing, and it never expires. You just clear Apple's one-time download quarantine.

Is it safe? Why the warning?

VortX is open-source and handed out here on GitHub, not through the Mac App Store, and it is not yet signed with an Apple Developer ID (that needs a paid Apple Developer account, which is on the roadmap). The app is ad-hoc signed, so the first time you open it macOS shows:

"VortX" Not Opened. Apple could not verify "VortX" is free of malware that may harm your Mac or compromise your privacy.

That means Apple does not know who signed it, not that something is wrong. Every line of code is in the repository, the build is produced by the public GitHub Actions workflow so you can read exactly what goes into it, and you can build it yourself. Each release lists SHA-256 checksums so you can confirm your download matches what was published.

Steps

1. Download VortX-macOS-x.y.z.dmg from the latest release.

2. Open the .dmg and drag VortX into your Applications folder. Run it from Applications, not from inside the mounted disk image.

3. Clear the quarantine, one of two ways:

   Option A, System Settings (the built-in way on macOS Ventura and later, and the only way on macOS 15 Sequoia, where Apple removed the old right-click then Open shortcut):

   • Double-click VortX once so the "could not verify" warning appears, then click Done (not Move to Trash).
   • Open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to the bottom, and click Open Anyway next to the VortX message.
   • Confirm with Touch ID or your password. VortX launches.

   Option B, Terminal (works on every macOS version, and is fastest):

   xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/VortX.app
   

   Then open VortX normally.

4. After that first launch it opens like any other app, every time.

Updating

Download the new release's .dmg, drag the app over the old one in Applications, and clear the quarantine again. Your sign-in, profiles, and settings stay.

Notes

• Torrents work on the Mac too: it bundles the streaming server. If you only use debrid or direct links, turn on Direct Links Only in Settings.
• Once VortX has an Apple Developer ID, the Mac build will be notarized and this warning goes away.

Installing on a phone, tablet, or TV instead? See Installing on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.