How to download and install HandBrake on Mac

Before you download

HandBrake for Mac is one Universal file that runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, so there is no version to choose. It needs macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.

Download HandBrake only from handbrake.fr. The HandBrake Team publishes a checksum for each file there. To compare it with your download, run in Terminal:

If the long code Terminal prints doesn’t match the one on the website, delete the file and download it again.

How to install HandBrake

1. Open the downloaded HandBrake .dmg in your Downloads folder.
2. In the window that opens, drag HandBrake to the Applications folder.

3. Eject the HandBrake disk: click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar.
4. Open HandBrake from Applications and click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet.

What to set up after the first launch

• Presets. Instead of setting everything by hand, pick a preset for your device or quality. You can save your own presets too.
• Where the new file goes. The bottom of the main window shows the name and folder of the converted file. Check it before you start, so you know where to find it.
• Disk space. Converted videos are large, and every new encode is a new file next to the original. Delete the copies you don’t need.
• The installer. Move the .dmg from Downloads to the Trash once HandBrake runs.

If HandBrake won’t install or open

• «HandBrake is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete it, download it again and compare the checksum as shown above.
• HandBrake doesn’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS version in About This Mac: it needs macOS 10.13 or later.
• HandBrake can’t read a DVD or Blu-ray. Most commercial discs are copy-protected, and HandBrake doesn’t get around copy protection.
• Nothing helps. Remove HandBrake completely and install it again: see how to uninstall HandBrake on Mac.

Alternatives to HandBrake

• VLCConverts files too, through Convert / Stream.