Step-by-step instructions for changing the security settings for a Mac with Apple silicon
Note: These steps are no longer required for macOS 13.3 (Ventura) or later.
Users on macOS 13.3 and later do not need to change security settings to install SoftRAID. These instructions are provided for users on earlier macOS versions, or for those who wish to understand the process.
For more information and technical details, see Apple’s macOS User Guide or our blog post on Secure Boot and macOS.
Steps
- 1. Load Startup Options Shut down your Mac with Apple silicon. Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears on screen.
- 2. Access Recovery Mode Click Options, then click Continue.
- 3. Open Startup Security Utility From the menu bar at the top of the screen, choose Utilities → Startup Security Utility.
- 4. Open Security Policy Select the system you want to modify, then click Security Policy.
- 5. Select Reduced Security Select Reduced Security and enable ”Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers” to allow installation of software that uses legacy kernel extensions.
- 6. Enter Administrator Password When prompted, select an administrator account and enter its password to apply the changes to the security policy.
- 7. Restart From the Apple menu, choose Restart.
After Installing the SoftRAID Driver
After installing the SoftRAID driver, a dialog box will appear directing you to System Preferences → Security. Before restarting:
- Click the button in the dialog to go to System Preferences
- Unlock System Preferences
- Click Allow next to OWC as an identified developer
- When System Preferences asks you to restart, click Restart Later
- Quit System Preferences
- Return to SoftRAID and click Restart
Important: If you click SoftRAID’s Restart button before completing the Allow step in System Preferences, go to System Preferences → Security immediately after restart. This option may no longer be available after a short window of time.
Important Note for Multiple macOS Installations
Startup Security settings on Apple silicon are not global. If you have more than one macOS installation on your Mac, this setting must be configured separately for each startup volume.