# Installation issues

> Fix problems with the download page, the first launch on macOS or Windows, and signing in to Vato Desktop.

This page covers the most common problems between the download page and your first signed-in session. For the normal steps, see [Install Vato and sign in](../getting-started/install.md).

## The download button doesn't download

The main button on the [download page](https://vatoide.com/download.html) changes its label to tell you what is missing.

| Button label | What it means | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Checking access…** | The page is checking your account. | Wait a moment. |
| **Sign in to download** | You are not signed in on the website. | Click the button, sign in, then go back to the download page. |
| **Account approval required** | Your account hasn't been approved yet, or its access was removed. | Wait for approval. See [Your account](../account/your-account.md). |
| **Build temporarily unavailable** | The page couldn't load the latest version. | Reload the page in a few minutes. |
| **Try the download again** | The last download failed. | Click it to start again. |

> [!TIP]
> The page selects a build for your system. On an Intel Mac, choose the **Intel** card yourself: it is never selected automatically.

## macOS says the app can't be opened

Vato is not yet signed with an Apple Developer ID, so macOS may block the first launch.

1. Try to open **Vato IDE** once, then close the warning.
2. Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security**.
3. Scroll down and click **Open Anyway** next to the message about Vato IDE.
4. Confirm. You only need to do this once.

Make sure you dragged **Vato IDE** into **Applications** before you open it.

## Windows SmartScreen blocks the installer

The installer is not yet signed with a Windows certificate, so SmartScreen may show a warning.

1. In the SmartScreen window, click **More info**.
2. Click **Run anyway**.
3. Follow the installer, then open **Vato IDE** from the Start menu.

## Sign-in doesn't finish

When you click **Sign in** in Vato Desktop, your browser opens the Vato sign-in page and the app shows **Waiting for login…**.

- **The browser didn't open.** Click **Cancel sign-in**, then **Sign in** again.
- **You signed in with the wrong account.** On the page **Continue to Vato IDE?**, click **Use a different account**.
- **You see "Sign-in timed out. Try again."** You have five minutes to finish in the browser. Click **Sign in** to start again.
- **You see "Unable to initialise sign-in."** Vato couldn't reach its server. Check your internet connection and try again.

After signing in in the browser, come back to Vato. The app picks up your session on its own.

## "Approval required"

Your account exists but isn't approved yet, or its access was denied or suspended. The message under **Approval required** tells you which. Once your account is approved, click **Try again**.

## "Reconnecting…"

Vato Desktop shows **Reconnecting…** when it has a saved session but can't reach the Vato server, for example during an update or when your Wi-Fi is still reconnecting.

- Your session is kept. Vato retries on its own and shows **Retrying automatically…**.
- Click **Try again** to retry now.
- Click **Sign in with another account** only if you want to sign in again.

If you see **Account check unavailable**, Vato is signed in but couldn't check your account. Your session stays active: click **Try again** in a moment.

## Still stuck?

Email [support@vatoide.com](mailto:support@vatoide.com) with your system, the Vato version and a screenshot of the message.

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/troubleshooting/installation-issues