Mac users installing the Binance desktop client have to pass an extra Gatekeeper verification compared to Windows users. This article provides the complete installation process. Download gateway: Binance website, mobile Binance official app, if you don't have the iOS app installed, see the iOS install guide.
1. Version Selection
| Mac Chip | Which to Download |
|---|---|
| M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 (Apple Silicon) | Universal or ARM version |
| Intel (pre-2020) | Intel version |
| Unsure | Universal (auto-adapts) |
Click the Apple menu → About This Mac to check your chip model.
2. Download Process
Step 1: Download from binance.com
Select Mac on the download page and download the .dmg file directly.
Step 2: Verify the Signature
Run in terminal:
codesign -dv --verbose=4 /Applications/Binance.app
If the output contains Authority=Developer ID Application: Binance Holdings Limited, the signature is valid.
Or via graphical interface: Right-click Binance.app → Show Package Contents → Contents → Double-click Info.plist and check the BundleIdentifier, which should be com.binance.desktop.
Step 3: Mount the .dmg
Double-click the .dmg file → Drag Binance into Applications.
3. Handling Gatekeeper Warnings
When opening Binance for the first time, you might get a prompt saying "Binance cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer." This is a macOS security protection. To handle it:
Method A: Right-Click to Open (Recommended)
In Applications, right-click Binance → Open → Click "Open" again in the popup. This bypasses Gatekeeper for this launch, and you can double-click it normally afterward.
Method B: Allow in System Settings
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Scroll to the bottom and find "Binance was blocked from use" → Click "Open Anyway".
Method C: Terminal Command
sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Binance.app
This clears the quarantine flag, allowing normal startup.
4. Why the Gatekeeper Warning Occurs
Newer macOS versions display warnings for all apps that have not passed Notarization. The Binance client is usually Notarized, but newly released versions sometimes lag behind. If you download a freshly released version, the warning is normal.
The warning itself does not mean the app is compromised. The key is checking whether the signature belongs to Binance Holdings—if it does, it is safe to use.
5. First Launch Settings
Network Permissions
The Mac firewall might prompt "Do you want the application Binance to accept incoming network connections?" Click Allow.
Notification Permissions
Upon launch, Mac will prompt "Binance would like to send you notifications." It is recommended to allow this for trading alerts.
Keychain Access
Binance might request access to your Keychain to save your login state. If you do not want to save it, select "Don't Allow"—you will need to log in again on the next launch.
6. QR Code Login
The desktop client supports QR code login via the mobile app, which is safer than typing on a keyboard:
- Select "Log In with QR Code" on the client login page.
- Use the scanner icon next to your avatar in the mobile app.
- Tap confirm on your phone to log in.
This process bypasses the keyboard entirely, rendering physical keyloggers useless.
7. Uninstallation
Drag Binance from Applications to the Trash, then clean up these paths:
~/Library/Application Support/Binance~/Library/Caches/com.binance.desktop~/Library/Preferences/com.binance.desktop.plist
Alternatively, use a tool like AppCleaner to remove everything at once.
8. Apple Silicon Performance
The M-series chips run the Binance client with extreme smoothness:
- Launch time < 2 seconds
- K-line rendering at 60+ FPS
- Memory usage around 300-400MB (compared to 500-700MB for the Intel version)
There is no need for "low-performance mode" or stripping down features.
FAQ
Q1: Can Apple Silicon install the Intel version? Yes, via Rosetta 2. However, performance and battery life will not match the native ARM version.
Q2: Can the Mac client be unlocked with Touch ID? The new client version supports secondary Touch ID confirmation (for sensitive operations). You need to enable it in the client settings.
Q3: Will installing Binance on Mac trigger SIP warnings? No. Binance does not need to modify system-level files.
Q4: How do I troubleshoot client crashes? Open the "Console.app" and check Crash Reports. Common causes include an outdated macOS version (macOS 12+ is recommended) or network restrictions.