How to Install Software on a Mac

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Last Updated: March 1, 2024

So you've got a Mac, it's got so many cool programs out-of-the-box but you've got to have another program. But how do you install this sweet piece of software on your Mac? This article gives you the three main ways applications can be installed and how to do it.

Steps

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If you have a file ending in dmg you have a disk image. If it ends in zip then you have a compressed file. If it ends in pkg you have a package file. There are other ways of bundling applications but these are the most common.
The methods below show how to perform each of the tasks depending on the given file.

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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Disk Images

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Disk images have a .dmg extension and can be mounted as removable drives.

Look through the given files to find the application.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Compressed Files

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If you have a file that ends in .zip you only have to double-click on the file and OSX will uncompress it into a new folder.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Package Files

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If an application needs to make changes to the system in order to run (add fonts, preference panes, services, helper modules, etc.) then it may be distributed as a package file, with a .pkg extension.

This will launch an installation wizard for the application. The installation wizard will perform all the necessary tasks to correctly install the application. Once the installation wizard has finished the application will typically be found in the Applications folder, ready to run.

Community Q&A

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Question

I have a zipped program & when unzipped, it created a folder called "contents." How do I install this folder named "contents"?

Community Answer

Double-click like you are going to open it. If it just opens and have lots of .txt files or other type of text files, then it means that it is either not compatible with your version of Mac or it is a different programmed file for Windows, Linux, etc.

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How do I load photos from a flash drive on my camera to my Macbook Pro? When I put the flash into the laptop, it says "choose application."

Community Answer

Choose Finder as the application, and copy/move your photos as you would any other file.

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Tips

Sometimes, though not very often, you may already have the application file. Just move that to the Application folder and it will be installed.

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If you install applications to your dock or your computer the application will start and run slower.

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You can install applications to other folders but Spotlight may not index them.

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Warnings

There are dangerous applications so always know and trust the source of your applications before you run or install them.

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