Rio is now notarized by Apple

Since build 1446, released on November 12, 2026, Rio is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple. A fresh download opens like any app from the internet: macOS asks once whether you want to open it, and you click Open. Rio.dmg now opens as an install window too.

Published November 12, 2026.

What changed on November 12

Build 1446 is the first Rio signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple. Download Rio.dmg, open it, drag Rio into Applications and open it. macOS shows the same question it shows for any app from the internet, whether you are sure you want to open it. Click Open, and Rio starts on its first screen, ready to bring your Arc setup over.

What notarization means

Apple's support page says an app notarized by Apple has been checked by Apple for malicious software, and none was found. A Developer ID tells macOS who made the app, and macOS checks both before the first launch.

For you, that means two things you can rely on with Rio from build 1446 on:

Apple checked this exact app for known malware before it reached you.
macOS knows the app came from Rio's developer and hasn't been changed since.

A cleaner install

Build 1446 also changed how Rio arrives:

Rio.dmg opens as an install window. Drag Rio onto the Applications folder in that window and you are done.
Rio offers to move itself. If you open Rio straight from the disk image or from Downloads, it offers to move itself into Applications.

The same release made Shift+Cmd+2 start a capture, from File, Capture and the command bar too. Swiping between spaces now switches one space per swipe, one after another, without moving the pointer in between. The onboarding look step shows the grain you pick.

Installing from scratch

Download Rio.dmg from the download link. It is free.
Open it. The install window shows Rio next to your Applications folder.
Drag Rio onto Applications.
Open Rio from Applications and click Open when macOS asks.
If you are coming from Arc, click Bring everything over on the first screen. Rio brings your spaces, pinned tabs, folders, favorites, passwords and sign-ins in one step.

If you already use Rio

You don't need to download anything. Rio checks for updates every hour, and a card at the bottom of the sidebar offers 1446. Restart to install it, or let it install when you quit.

After this update, macOS asks once for your Mac password so Rio can keep using your saved passwords, stored under Rio Safe Storage. Choose Always Allow and macOS remembers it.

Check it yourself

Open Terminal and run:

spctl -a -vv /Applications/Rio.app

For build 1446 and later, macOS answers accepted and source=Notarized Developer ID. About Rio shows the build number.

Get it

Rio is free and open source under GPL-3.0, and it needs no account.

Download Rio for Mac

Questions

Is Rio notarized by Apple?

Yes. Since build 1446, Rio is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens like any app you download: macOS asks once if you want to open it, and you click Open.

I already use Rio. Do I need to download it again?

No. Rio updates itself. A card at the bottom of the sidebar offers build 1446; restart to install it, or it installs when you quit.

Why did macOS ask for my password after the update?

After this update, macOS asks once for your Mac password so Rio can keep using your saved passwords, stored under Rio Safe Storage. Choose Always Allow.

What do I need to run Rio?

Rio is made for the Mac: Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later. It takes about 360 MB.