How to download and install Malwarebytes on Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac comes from Malwarebytes’ website as a standard installer package and works as a free on-demand scanner or as paid Premium protection. Here is how to install it and which permissions to give so it can do its job.
Malwarebytes
- macOS 12 or later
- One file for Apple Silicon and Intel
- Free scanner. Premium is paid
Or the installer straight from the developer’s server:
The links go to the developer’s website (malwarebytes.com, downloads.malwarebytes.com). MacWashing is not affiliated with the developer and keeps no installers.
Open Terminal (Applications › Utilities) and run:
brew install --cask malwarebytesHomebrew downloads the app from the developer’s server, checks the file and puts the app in Applications.
No Homebrew yet? How to install Homebrew: one command from brew.sh.
Free or Premium
Malwarebytes installs the same app for everyone. Without a subscription it is a free scanner: you run a scan yourself and it removes what it finds. Premium adds real-time protection, scheduled scans and web protection. Malwarebytes offers a trial of it.
One installer works on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The current version needs macOS 12 Monterey or later.
Download Malwarebytes only from malwarebytes.com. Fake «virus found» pop-ups that push you to download a cleaner are a scam in themselves.
How to install Malwarebytes
- Open the Malwarebytes
.pkgin your Downloads folder.
- Click Continue on the introduction and the Read Me, then Continue and Agree for the license agreement.
- Click Install, enter your Mac password and click Install Software.
- When the installer is done, click Close and choose whether to keep the installer or move it to the Trash.
- In the welcome window, click Get started, choose a personal or business Mac, then Maybe later for the free version or Buy now for Premium.
A .pkg installs with administrator rights, which is one more reason to take it only from Malwarebytes’ own website.
What to set up after installing
Malwarebytes shows a window that walks you through each permission. If you skipped one, turn it on later:
- Full Disk Access. Needed for thorough scans and for real-time protection: in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes.
- System extension. Web protection uses a system extension. Allow it when macOS asks, then click Allow when Malwarebytes asks to filter network content.
- Background protection. With Premium, Malwarebytes runs in the background from login on: that is how real-time protection works.
- The installer. If you kept the
.pkg, move it from Downloads to the Trash.
If Malwarebytes won’t install or protect
- The installer stops with an error. Download the
.pkgagain from Malwarebytes’ website and make sure you are signed in to macOS as an administrator. - Real-time protection stays off. Check Full Disk Access above. If Malwarebytes isn’t in the list, install it again over the top and turn it on.
- Nothing helps. Remove Malwarebytes completely, with its background parts, and install it again: see how to uninstall Malwarebytes on Mac.
Keep your Mac tidy
System Junk in MacWashing finds the caches apps build up over time and shows how much space they take. And if you switch to another scanner, the Uninstaller removes Malwarebytes with its files.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Is Malwarebytes for Mac free?
The scanner is free: you can scan your Mac and remove what it finds at no cost. Real-time protection, scheduled scans and web protection come with paid Premium.
Is Malwarebytes in the Mac App Store?
Not the full app. The App Store has only Malwarebytes Browser Guard, a Safari extension. The scanner comes from Malwarebytes’ website.
Why does Malwarebytes need Full Disk Access?
macOS hides many folders from apps by default. Without Full Disk Access, Malwarebytes can’t scan them, and real-time protection won’t turn on.