Installing The Shelf

A one-time step the first time you open it.

The Shelf is made by a small independent developer and isn’t yet registered with Apple or Microsoft. That means your computer shows a warning the first time you open it. The app is safe. You only need to do this once, and after that The Shelf opens like any other app.

Mac

1. Open the .dmg file you downloaded and drag The Shelf into the Applications folder.
2. Open The Shelf from Applications. A message says Apple could not verify it. Click Done.
3. Open System Settings and choose Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
4. Scroll down to Security. Next to “The Shelf was blocked to protect your Mac”, click Open Anyway.
5. Enter your Mac password, then click Open Anyway once more.

Don’t see the Open Anyway button? Try opening The Shelf again first, then go back to Privacy & Security within an hour.

Windows

1. If your browser says the file isn’t commonly downloaded, choose Keep (in Edge, click … first).
2. Open The Shelf Setup. If a blue “Windows protected your PC” box appears, click More info, then Run anyway.
3. Follow the installer. The Shelf then opens from the Start menu.

Still stuck?

Send us a message through our contact form and we’ll help you get it open.