Useful Mac guides
325 guides
Free up space
brew cleanup: How to clear Homebrew cache on MacHow brew cleanup clears Homebrew cache on a Mac, how to delete the whole download cache and remove dependencies you no longer need.
cargo clean: how to clear the Cargo cache on MacWhat cargo clean deletes, how to clear the Cargo cache in ~/.cargo on a Mac, and how to free the space taken by target folders of old Rust projects.
Disk space analyzer for Mac: see what takes up spaceA disk space analyzer for Mac shows the size of every folder. How to see what fills your disk with MacWashing’s Storage and safely remove what you don’t need.
docker system prune: How to clear Docker cache on MacHow docker system prune clears Docker cache on a Mac, how to delete Docker images and build cache, and what to do so you don’t lose volumes.
flutter clean: how to clear Flutter cache on MacWhat flutter clean deletes, how to clear Flutter cache on a Mac with dart pub cache clean, and where the Android and iOS parts keep their caches.- How to clean up your Mac: delete junk files safelyHow to clean up your Mac with MacWashing: find caches, logs, old installers and leftovers of deleted apps, see what each takes and delete it safely.
How to clear Android Studio cache on MacHow to clear Android Studio cache on a Mac with File › Invalidate Caches, delete caches of old versions, and what not to delete: emulators and the SDK.- How to clear cache on MacWhat cache is, whether it’s safe to delete, and how to clear app, browser, system and developer caches on a Mac by hand.
How to clear Chrome cache on MacHow to clear cache in Chrome on Mac without losing passwords or sign-ins: the Delete browsing data window, its shortcut and what each box deletes.
How to clear Composer cache on MacHow to clear Composer cache on a Mac with composer clear-cache, where the cache lives, and how to free the space taken by vendor folders of old PHP projects.- How to clear cookies on MacHow to clear cookies on Mac in Safari, Chrome and Firefox, for one site or for all of them, and what changes after: you get signed out of sites.
How to clear Discord cache on MacDiscord has no clear cache button on Mac. Here’s how to clear Discord cache by hand: quit it and delete three folders. Messages and servers stay.
How to clear Firefox cache on MacHow to clear Firefox cache on Mac and keep your sign-ins, bookmarks and passwords: the Clear Recent History window, one site’s data, and what not to delete.
How to clear Go cache on Mac: go clean -cache and -modcacheHow to clear the Go build cache and module cache on a Mac with go clean -cache, -modcache and -testcache, and why rm -rf fails on ~/go/pkg/mod.
How to clear Gradle cache on MacHow to clear Gradle cache on a Mac: what ./gradlew clean really deletes, how to stop the daemon and empty ~/.gradle/caches, and old Gradle versions.- How to clear history on MacHow to clear history on Mac in Safari, Chrome and Firefox, for the last hour or all time, and what else disappears, including on your iPhone.
- How to clear Hugging Face cache on MacHow to clear Hugging Face cache on a Mac: find where models are stored, see what takes space with hf cache ls and delete with hf cache rm.
How to clear Mail cache on MacHow to clear Mail cache on Mac: see how much space Mail takes, erase deleted mail, limit attachment downloads, rebuild a mailbox and remove old accounts.
How to clear media cache in Premiere Pro on MacClear media cache in Premiere Pro on a Mac from Settings › Media Cache, turn on automatic cleanup and find the Adobe cache folder.
How to clear Outlook cache on MacHow to clear Outlook cache on a Mac: Reset Account in new Outlook, Empty Cache for a folder in legacy Outlook, and what you can lose.
How to clear pip cache on MacHow to clear pip cache on a Mac with pip cache purge, remove one package from the cache, and clear the uv and Poetry caches.
How to clear Safari cache on MacHow to clear Safari cache on Mac without losing history, passwords or sign-ins, how to remove one site’s data, and what each option deletes.
How to clear Spotify cache on MacHow to clear Spotify cache on a Mac in Settings › Storage, move the cache to another disk and keep your downloaded music.
How to clear Teams cache on MacClear the Microsoft Teams cache on a Mac the way Microsoft documents it: quit Teams, delete two folders, restart. When it helps and what stays.
How to clear Telegram cache on MacHow to clear Telegram cache on a Mac in Telegram and Telegram Desktop, and how to limit it. Your chats stay in the cloud.- How to clear temporary files on MacWhat temporary files are on a Mac, how to clear them safely (a restart does most of it) and which temp folders you should never delete by hand.
How to clear VS Code cache on MacHow to clear VS Code cache on a Mac: which folders are cache, which hold your settings, extensions and unsaved files, and how to delete the cache safely.
How to clear Xcode cache on MacHow to clear Xcode cache on a Mac: delete DerivedData, clean the build folder, remove old simulators, runtimes and device support files.- How to delete a venv or virtualenv on MacHow to delete a Python venv or virtualenv on a Mac safely, what you lose, and how to create it again later from requirements.txt or pyproject.toml.
How to delete conda environments on MacHow to delete conda environments on a Mac with conda remove or Anaconda Navigator, export them first, and clear the package cache with conda clean.- How to delete downloads on MacHow to delete downloads on Mac: find the biggest and oldest files in the Downloads folder, remove old installers and clear the browser’s list.
How to delete files on MacHow to delete files on Mac: Move to Trash with Command-Delete, delete a file right away without the Trash, and what to do when a file won’t delete.
How to delete Ollama models on MacHow to delete Ollama models on a Mac with ollama rm, see which models take space, stop a running model and find where models are stored.
How to delete Pods and clear CocoaPods cache on MacHow to delete the Pods folder, clear CocoaPods cache with pod cache clean --all and remove the old master spec repo on a Mac without breaking your project.- How to delete Time Machine backups on MacHow to delete Time Machine backups and local snapshots on Mac, and why macOS usually frees that space by itself.
- How to empty Trash on MacHow to empty Trash on Mac, delete one item right away, empty it automatically after 30 days and what to do when the Trash won’t empty.
How to find and delete node_modules folders on MacFind every node_modules folder on a Mac with its size, delete the ones you don’t need in Finder, Terminal or npkill, and get them back with npm.- How to find large files on MacHow to find large files on Mac with Storage settings, a Finder search by file size or Terminal, and what to check before you delete them.
- How to flush DNS cache on MacHow to flush DNS on Mac with one Terminal command, clear Chrome’s own DNS cache, and when flushing DNS actually helps.
- How to free up space on MacHow to free up space on Mac and clear storage: see what fills the disk, turn on Apple’s recommendations, then delete downloads, backups and caches.
- How to speed up a slow MacHow to speed up a Mac: find what slows it down in Activity Monitor, free disk space, trim login items, update and restart. No myths.
- How to stop apps from opening on startup on MacHow to stop apps from opening on startup on a Mac: remove login items, turn off background items and stop windows from reopening.
- How to uninstall apps on Mac completelyThree ways to delete an app on a Mac, where its leftovers stay, how to remove them by hand and what to do when an app won’t delete.
- How to uninstall Homebrew on MacHow to uninstall Homebrew on a Mac with its official script: what to save first, what happens to apps from casks, and the leftovers to remove.
- How to uninstall Node.js on Mac completelyHow to uninstall Node.js on a Mac: installed from nodejs.org, with Homebrew or with nvm (nvm uninstall), and how to check that node is gone.
- How to uninstall Python on Mac completelyHow to uninstall Python on a Mac: from python.org, Homebrew or pyenv, what to keep (Apple’s own python3) and how to check it’s gone.
- Large file finder for Mac: find big and old filesA large file finder for Mac lists your biggest files in one place. How to find big and long-forgotten files with MacWashing and delete the ones you don’t need.
- Mac maintenance: how to keep your Mac clean automaticallyMac maintenance made simple: what a Mac really needs, and how to clean it automatically on a schedule with MacWashing’s auto-clean.
- Mac uninstaller: remove apps with all their filesA Mac uninstaller removes an app with its settings, caches and background items. How to do it with MacWashing’s Uninstaller, one app or several.
- npm cache clean: How to clear npm cache on MacHow to clear npm cache on a Mac with npm cache clean --force, why npm asks for --force, and how to clear the Yarn and pnpm caches.
pnpm store prune: how to clear pnpm cache on MacHow to clear pnpm cache on a Mac with pnpm store prune, where pnpm keeps its store and cache, and what to do with store folders of older pnpm versions.- What is System Data on Mac and how to reduce itWhat macOS counts as System Data in Storage settings, why it grows and how to make it smaller safely.
- Where iPhone backups are stored on Mac and how to delete themWhere iPhone backups are stored on Mac, how to see what they take and how to delete old iPhone and iPad backups safely in Finder.
- Why is my Mac so slow? Check the disk firstWhy is my Mac so slow or slow to start up? Most often the disk is nearly full. How to check free space, login items, memory and the disk itself.
yarn cache clean: how to clear Yarn cache on MacHow to clear Yarn cache on a Mac: yarn cache clean in Yarn 1 (Classic), --all and --mirror in Yarn 2 and later, and where each version keeps it.
Mac how-to
- App permissions on Mac: see which apps can use your camera and moreApp permissions on Mac: where to allow camera, microphone and screen recording, and how to see and revoke every app’s access at once with MacWashing.
- How to AirDrop from iPhone to MacHow to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac: let the Mac be found, send from the Share menu, where the files land, and what to do when the Mac doesn’t appear.
- How to back up a MacHow to back up a Mac with Time Machine to an external drive, why iCloud Drive is not a backup, and how to restore with Migration Assistant.
How to block websites on MacHow to block websites on Mac with Screen Time: limit adult sites, block a list of addresses or allow only chosen sites, and lock it with a passcode.- How to boot Mac in safe modeHow to boot a Mac in safe mode on Apple silicon and Intel, how to tell it worked, what safe mode does and how to leave it.
- How to boot Mac into Recovery ModeHow to boot a Mac into Recovery Mode on Apple silicon and Intel, Internet Recovery key combinations, and what you can do in macOS Recovery.
- How to change default browser on MacHow to change default browser on Mac in System Settings or from the browser itself, how to switch back to Safari, and where the default email app is set.
- How to change Mac nameHow to change Mac name in System Settings › General › About, how to change the local hostname, and where other devices see the name of your Mac.
- How to change wallpaper on MacHow to change wallpaper on Mac: built-in pictures in System Settings, your own photo or folder, dynamic and aerial wallpapers, several displays.
- How to check battery health on MacBookHow to check battery health on a MacBook: Maximum Capacity and condition in Battery settings, the cycle count in System Information, and Apple’s limits.
- How to check Mac model and yearHow to check Mac model, year and chip in About This Mac, find the model identifier and serial number, and identify a Mac that won’t turn on.
- How to check RAM on Mac and free it upHow to check RAM on Mac in About This Mac and Activity Monitor, read memory pressure and swap, and what clearing RAM on a Mac really means.
- How to connect AirPods to MacHow to connect AirPods to Mac through your Apple Account or Bluetooth settings, switch sound to them, and what to do if they don’t show up.
How to convert HEIC to JPG on MacHow to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac for free: one photo in Preview, many at once with Finder Quick Actions, from Photos, and how to make an iPhone shoot JPEG.- How to create a folder on MacHow to create a folder on Mac: File › New Folder or Shift-Command-N, a folder on the desktop, New Folder with Selection, and why New Folder is dimmed.
- How to cut and paste on Mac: text and filesHow to cut and paste on Mac: Command-X and Command-V for text, Option-Command-V to move files, Paste and Match Style, and pasting on an iPhone.
- How to downgrade macOSHow to downgrade macOS to an earlier version: get the installer, make a bootable USB drive, erase the Mac, install and restore your files.
- How to edit a PDF on MacHow to edit a PDF on Mac for free in Preview: add text, highlight, sign, fill out forms, delete and move pages, and what to do about the existing text.
- How to factory reset a MacHow to factory reset a Mac: what to do first, Erase All Content and Settings on newer Macs, and the Recovery way for older Intel Macs.
- How to find Wi-Fi password on MacHow to find a Wi-Fi password on Mac in the Passwords app or Wi-Fi settings, share it with a QR code, and where to look on macOS Sonoma.
- How to force quit on Mac (Ctrl-Alt-Delete)How to force quit on Mac when an app freezes: Option-Command-Esc (the Mac’s Ctrl-Alt-Delete), the Apple menu, the Dock, Activity Monitor.
- How to install a DMG file on Mac: MacWashing as an exampleHow to install a DMG file on Mac step by step, using MacWashing: open the disk image, drag the app to Applications, first launch and Full Disk Access.
- How to install Linux on MacHow to install Linux on Mac: in a virtual machine on any Mac, with Asahi Linux on M1 and M2 Macs, or next to macOS on an Intel Mac.
- How to lock screen on MacHow to lock screen on Mac: Control-Command-Q, the Apple menu, Touch ID or a hot corner, and how to make the Mac lock itself when you step away.
- How to merge PDF files on MacHow to merge PDF files on Mac for free: in Preview by dragging pages, with Edit › Insert, or in Finder with Quick Actions › Create PDF.
How to open Terminal on Mac and use itHow to open Terminal on Mac with Spotlight or Finder, open it at a folder, run the first safe commands and stop a command with Control-C.- How to print screen on MacHow to print screen on Mac without a Print Screen key: Shift-Command-3, 4 and 5, where screenshots are saved and how to copy one to the clipboard.
- How to record audio on MacHow to record audio on Mac for free with QuickTime Player or Voice Memos, how to choose the microphone, and what to do to record the Mac’s own sound.
- How to reset SMC and NVRAM on MacHow to reset SMC on Mac with Apple silicon, Intel with T2 and older Intel, and how to reset NVRAM (PRAM) on an Intel Mac, with Apple’s exact keys.
- How to right click on MacHow to right click on Mac: Control-click, a two-finger click on a MacBook trackpad, the right side of a Magic Mouse, or any two-button mouse.
- How to scan documents on MacHow to scan documents on Mac with your iPhone (Continuity Camera), into Notes, or with a scanner in System Settings and Image Capture. Free, built in.
- How to select multiple files on MacHow to select multiple files on Mac: Command-click, Shift-click, Command-A and dragging a box, with a mouse or on a MacBook trackpad.
- How to show hidden files on MacHow to show hidden files on Mac with Command-Shift-Period in Finder, open the hidden Library folder, list hidden files in Terminal, and what not to touch.
- How to split screen on MacHow to split screen on Mac: drag windows to the screen edges, use the green button or Fn-Control shortcuts, or open two apps in Split View.
- How to switch between windows on MacHow to switch between windows on Mac: Command-Tab between apps, Command-` between windows of one app, Mission Control, App Exposé and Stage Manager.
- How to type emoji on MacHow to type emoji on Mac: Control-Command-Space or the Globe key opens the emoji picker. Search, skin tones, favorites and the Globe key setting.
- How to undo on Mac: Command-Z and redoHow to undo on Mac with Command-Z or Edit › Undo, redo with Shift-Command-Z, undo a file move or delete in Finder, and go back to an earlier version.
- How to unzip files on Mac and zip themHow to unzip files on Mac with a double-click, how to zip a file on Mac with Compress, password-protected zips, and what to do with RAR and 7z.
- How to update MacHow to update Mac in System Settings › Software Update, what to do before you start, how to turn on automatic updates and update App Store apps.
- Mac keyboard shortcuts: the most useful onesThe Mac keyboard shortcuts worth knowing: copy and paste, windows, screenshots, Finder, text, lock screen, plus what ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ mean and their Windows keys.
- Mac not turning on: what to doMac not turning on? Check the power and the display, force a restart, reset the SMC on Intel, revive the firmware, and know when to contact Apple.
- Mac stuck on Apple logo: how to fix itMac stuck on the Apple logo? Wait out an update, restart, try safe mode, repair the disk with First Aid in Recovery or reinstall macOS without erasing.
- Mac Wi-Fi not working: how to fix itMac Wi-Fi not working or connected without internet? Restart Wi-Fi and the router, rejoin the network, run Wireless Diagnostics, check VPN.
For developers: servers and tools
How to change the PHP memory limit on UbuntuRaise the PHP memory limit, upload_max_filesize, post_max_size and max_execution_time on Ubuntu: the right php.ini, FPM pools, .user.ini and ini_set.
How to get a free SSL certificate with Certbot and Nginx on Ubuntu 24Use Certbot with Nginx on Ubuntu to get a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate: install it with snap, run certbot --nginx and check renewal.- How to install Docker on Ubuntu 24Install Docker on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 from Docker’s apt repository, with the Compose plugin, hello-world and docker without sudo.
- How to install Docker on WindowsInstall Docker on Windows 11 with Docker Desktop and the WSL 2 backend: requirements, virtualization, hello-world, WSL errors and the licence terms.
How to install Git on Ubuntu 24Install Git on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 with apt or the git-core PPA, set your name and email, and connect to GitHub with an SSH key.- How to install Git on WindowsInstall Git on Windows 11 or 10 with the Git for Windows installer or winget: which installer options to pick, first setup and common errors.
How to install MySQL on Ubuntu 24Install MySQL on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 with apt, run mysql_secure_installation, fix ERROR 1698 for root and create a user and a database.- How to install MySQL on WindowsInstall MySQL on Windows 11 with the official MSI and MySQL Configurator: root password, Windows service, PATH, Workbench and common errors.
How to install Nginx on Ubuntu 24Install Nginx on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 with apt, open the firewall, set up your first site and get the latest version from nginx.org.- How to install Node.js on Ubuntu 24Install Node.js on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04: why the apt package is old, the current LTS from NodeSource, nvm for several versions, npm.
- How to install Node.js on WindowsInstall Node.js on Windows 11 or 10 from the nodejs.org .msi or with winget, switch versions with nvm-windows and fix the npm.ps1 error in PowerShell.
- How to install PHP on Ubuntu 24Install PHP on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 with apt, run it through PHP-FPM and Nginx, add extensions, find php.ini and switch PHP versions.
- How to install PHP on WindowsInstall PHP on Windows 11 or 10 from the official zip: NTS or TS, php.ini, extensions, PATH, the built-in web server and Composer.
How to install PostgreSQL on Ubuntu 24Install PostgreSQL on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 from apt or the official PostgreSQL repository, create a user and a database, allow remote access safely.- How to install PostgreSQL on WindowsInstall Postgres on Windows 11 with the EDB installer from postgresql.org: components, superuser password, port 5432, psql in PATH, pgAdmin, errors.
- How to install Python on Ubuntu 24Install Python on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04: pip and venv, the externally-managed-environment error and other versions with uv or deadsnakes.
- How to install Python on WindowsInstall Python on Windows 11 or 10 with the Python install manager or the classic installer, use pip and venv, and fix “python is not recognized”.
How to install Redis on Ubuntu 24Install Redis on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04 with apt or from packages.redis.io, check it with redis-cli ping, set a password or ACL user and bind it safely.- How to install Supervisor on Ubuntu 24Install Supervisor on Ubuntu 24.04 or 22.04, add a Laravel queue worker or a Node.js app, and manage it with supervisorctl.
How to install WSL on WindowsInstall WSL on Windows 11 or 10 with one command: pick a Linux distro, create your user, check WSL 1 or 2 and fix 0x80370102 and other errors.- How to set up an Nginx reverse proxy on UbuntuNginx reverse proxy for a Node.js or Python app on port 3000: proxy_pass, headers, WebSocket, timeouts, 502 Bad Gateway and 413 errors.
- MySQL performance tuning on Ubuntu: innodb_buffer_pool_size and moreMySQL performance tuning on Ubuntu: innodb_buffer_pool_size from RAM, redo log capacity, max_connections, slow query log, temp tables and SHOW STATUS.
- Nginx performance tuning and caching on UbuntuNginx performance tuning on Ubuntu: worker_processes, worker_connections, keepalive, gzip, cache headers, open_file_cache, proxy_cache and fastcgi_cache.
- PHP performance tuning on Ubuntu: OPcache and PHP-FPMPHP performance tuning on Ubuntu: OPcache for production, JIT, PHP-FPM pm modes, pm.max_children from RAM, pm.max_requests, slowlog and realpath cache.
- PostgreSQL performance tuning on Ubuntu: the settings pgtune computesPostgreSQL performance tuning on Ubuntu: shared_buffers, effective_cache_size, work_mem, max_connections and PgBouncer, WAL, pg_stat_statements, like pgtune.
Install an app
How to download and install 1Password on MacWhere to download 1Password for Mac safely, how to install it, start a trial or sign in, and add the browser extension and Touch ID unlock.
How to download and install Adobe Creative Cloud on MacWhere to download the Creative Cloud app for Mac safely, how to install it, sign in and get Photoshop, Illustrator and other Adobe apps.
How to download and install Affinity on MacWhere to download Affinity for Mac, now free from Canva, what your Mac needs, how to install it and sign in with a Canva account.- How to download and install Anaconda on MacHow to download Anaconda Distribution for Mac, choose the graphical or command-line installer or Miniconda, install it and check that conda works.
- How to download and install Android Studio on MacHow to download Android Studio for Mac from Google, pick the Apple Silicon or Intel build, install it and plan for the SDK’s many gigabytes.
How to download and install Anki on MacWhere to download Anki for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and sync your flashcards through a free AnkiWeb account.
How to download and install AnyDesk on MacWhere to download AnyDesk for Mac safely, how to install it and allow screen recording and accessibility so remote sessions work.
How to download and install Bitwarden on MacWhere to download the Bitwarden password manager for Mac, how the website and App Store versions differ, how to install it and add the browser extension.
How to download and install Blender on MacWhere to download Blender for Mac safely, which version runs on your Mac, Apple Silicon or Intel, how to install it and set it up.
How to download and install Brave on MacWhere to download the Brave browser for Mac safely, how to install it, bring over bookmarks and passwords and make it your default browser.
How to download and install Bun on MacHow to install Bun on a Mac with the official command from bun.com or with Homebrew, check bun --version and keep it up to date.
How to download and install ChatGPT on MacWhere to download the ChatGPT app for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, how to install it, sign in and allow screenshots.
How to download and install Claude on MacWhere to download the Claude desktop app for Mac safely, how to install it, sign in and what to set up after the first launch.
How to download and install CrossOver on MacHow to download the CrossOver trial for Mac from CodeWeavers, install it and run your first Windows app without installing Windows.
How to download and install Cursor on MacWhere to download Cursor for Mac, which build fits your Mac, how to install the AI code editor, sign in and bring over your VS Code setup.
How to download and install Cyberduck on MacWhere to download the free Cyberduck for Mac, how it differs from the App Store version, how to install it and connect to an FTP, SFTP or cloud server.
How to download and install DeepL on MacWhere to download DeepL for Mac safely, how to install it, translate from any app with a shortcut and which permission the shortcut needs.
How to download and install Deezer on MacWhere to download the Deezer desktop app for Mac safely, how to install it, what the free plan includes and what to set up after the first launch.
How to download and install Deno on MacHow to install Deno on a Mac with the official command from deno.com or with Homebrew, check deno --version, update it and clear its cache.- How to download and install Discord on MacWhere to download Discord for Mac safely, how to install it and which permissions to give for voice, video, screen sharing and push to talk.
- How to download and install Docker on MacHow to download Docker Desktop for Mac from Docker’s website, pick the right build, install it and keep its disk image from eating your space.
How to download and install Dropbox on MacWhere to download the Dropbox desktop app for Mac safely, which installer fits your Mac, how to install it and find your Dropbox folder in Finder.
How to download and install DuckDuckGo on MacWhere to download the DuckDuckGo browser for Mac safely, how to install it, bring over bookmarks and passwords and make it your default browser.
How to download and install Epic Games Launcher on MacWhere to download Epic Games Launcher for Mac safely, how to install it, which games run on a Mac and how to claim the weekly free games.
How to download and install ExpressVPN on MacWhere to download ExpressVPN for Mac safely, how to install it, sign in with an activation code or email link, and allow its VPN configuration.
How to download and install Figma on MacWhere to download the Figma desktop app for Mac safely, which version fits your Mac, how to install it, sign in and use your own fonts.
How to download and install FileZilla on MacWhere to download the free FileZilla Client for Mac, how to pick the right build and the free edition on the download page, and how to install it.- How to download and install Firefox on MacWhere to download Firefox for Mac safely, how to install it, bring over bookmarks and passwords and make it your default browser.
How to download and install GIMP on MacWhere to download GIMP for Mac for free, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and why the App Store copies are not from the GIMP team.- How to download and install Git on MacHow to install Git on a Mac with Apple’s Command Line Tools or Homebrew, check the version and set your name and email for commits.
How to download and install GitHub Desktop on MacWhere to download GitHub Desktop for Mac, which build fits your Mac, how to install it, sign in to GitHub and set your name for commits.
How to download and install GOG Galaxy on MacWhere to download GOG Galaxy for Mac safely, which Macs it supports, how to install it and how to get GOG games without it.- How to download and install Google Chrome on MacWhere to download Google Chrome for Mac safely, how to install it, bring over bookmarks and make it your default browser.
How to download and install Google Drive on MacHow to download Google Drive for desktop on a Mac from Google, install it, enable it in Finder and choose between streaming and mirroring files.
How to download and install Grammarly on MacWhere to download the Grammarly desktop app for Mac, how to install it, sign in and allow Accessibility so it checks your writing in other apps.
How to download and install HandBrake on MacWhere to download HandBrake for Mac safely, how to check the download, install the video converter and keep its large output files in check.- How to install Homebrew on MacHow to install Homebrew on a Mac with the official command from brew.sh, add brew to Terminal and install apps with one line.
How to download and install IINA on MacWhere to download the IINA video player for Mac for free, how to install it and how to make it the default player for your video files.
How to download and install Inkscape on MacWhere to download Inkscape for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, Apple Silicon or Intel, how to install it and set it up.
How to download and install Java on MacWhich Java to download for Mac — free Eclipse Temurin or Oracle’s JDK — how to install it, check java -version and set JAVA_HOME.
How to download and install Keka on MacWhere to download the Keka file archiver for Mac for free, how it differs from the App Store version, how to install it and give it access to your folders.
How to download and install LanguageTool on MacWhere to download the LanguageTool desktop app for Mac, how to install it, allow Accessibility and turn on checking in Mail, Word and other apps.
How to download and install LibreOffice on MacWhere to download LibreOffice for Mac for free, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and add a language pack for another interface language.
How to download and install LM Studio on MacWhere to download LM Studio for Mac, which Macs it runs on, how to install it, download your first local AI model and choose where models are kept.
How to download and install Logseq on MacWhere to download Logseq for Mac for free, which build fits your Mac, Logseq or Logseq OG, how to install it and start your first graph.
How to download and install Loom on MacWhere to download Loom for Mac safely, which version fits your macOS, how to install it and allow screen recording, camera and microphone.
How to download and install MacPorts on MacHow to install MacPorts on a Mac: the Command Line Tools, the installer for your macOS version, then selfupdate and port install in Terminal.
How to download and install Malwarebytes on MacWhere to download Malwarebytes for Mac safely, how to install it, the difference between the free scanner and Premium, and which permissions it needs.
How to download and install Microsoft Edge on MacWhere to download Microsoft Edge for Mac safely, how to install it, bring over your favorites and passwords and make it your default browser.
How to download and install Microsoft Excel on MacHow to get Microsoft Excel for Mac from the Mac App Store or Microsoft, what you need to edit spreadsheets, how to install it and sign in.
How to download and install Microsoft Office on MacWhere to get Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac, what you need to use it, how to install the suite and sign in so Word, Excel and PowerPoint can edit.- How to download and install Microsoft Outlook on MacHow to get Microsoft Outlook for Mac for free from the Mac App Store or Microsoft, install it, add your email accounts and set it as your mail app.
- How to download and install Microsoft Teams on MacWhere to download Microsoft Teams for Mac safely, how to install it, sign in with a work or personal account and allow the camera, microphone and screen.
How to download and install Microsoft Word on MacHow to get Microsoft Word for Mac from the Mac App Store or Microsoft, what you need to edit documents, how to install it and sign in.
How to download and install Minecraft on MacWhere to download the Minecraft Launcher for Mac safely, which edition runs on a Mac, how to install it and where Minecraft keeps your worlds.
How to download and install Mullvad VPN on MacWhere to download Mullvad VPN for Mac, how its loader and standalone installer differ, how to install it and log in with an account number.- How to download and install Node.js on MacWhere to download Node.js for Mac, LTS or Current, how to install it with the official installer or Homebrew and check node and npm.
How to download and install NordVPN on MacWhere to download NordVPN for Mac safely, how the website and App Store versions differ, how to install it and allow its VPN configuration.
How to download and install Notion on MacWhere to download Notion for Mac safely, which version fits your Mac, how to install it, sign in and what to set up after the first launch.
How to download and install Numbers on MacHow to get Apple’s free Numbers from the Mac App Store, get it back if you deleted it, and what to do when your Mac’s macOS is too old for it.
How to download and install OBS Studio on MacWhere to download OBS Studio for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and allow screen recording, camera and microphone.
How to download and install Obsidian on MacWhere to download Obsidian for Mac safely, how to install it, create or open a vault for your notes and what to set up after the first launch.- How to download and install Ollama on MacWhere to download Ollama for Mac, how to install it with the ollama command, run your first local AI model and keep the models’ size in check.
How to download and install OneDrive on MacWhere to get OneDrive for Mac, website or App Store, how to install it, sign in and keep files in the cloud until you open them.
How to download and install ONLYOFFICE on MacWhere to download ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors for Mac for free, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and open Word and Excel files.
How to download and install OrbStack on MacWhere to download OrbStack for Mac, which build fits your Mac, who needs a license, how to install it and run Docker containers and Linux machines.
How to download and install Pages on MacHow to get Apple’s free Pages from the Mac App Store, get it back if you deleted it, and what to do when your Mac’s macOS is too old for it.
How to download and install Parallels Desktop on MacHow to download Parallels Desktop for Mac, start the 14-day trial, install it and set up Windows 11 on Apple Silicon with its assistant.
How to download and install Podman Desktop on MacWhere to download Podman Desktop for Mac, which file to take, how to install it and set up Podman and its Linux machine on the first start.
How to download and install Positron on MacWhere to download Positron, Posit’s free IDE for Python and R, for Mac, which file fits your chip, how to install it and set up Python or R.
How to download and install Proton Drive on MacWhere to download Proton Drive for Mac, what you need before installing, how to install it, turn on sync and find your Drive folder in the Finder.
How to download and install Proton VPN on MacWhere to download Proton VPN for Mac safely, how its free plan works, how to install the app and allow its VPN configuration and system extension.- How to download and install Python on MacWhere to download Python for Mac, how to install it from python.org or Homebrew, finish the setup and run python3 instead of the built-in stub.
How to download and install Rancher Desktop on MacWhere to download Rancher Desktop for Mac, which file to take, how to install it, choose a container engine and keep Kubernetes and disk use in check.
How to download and install Roblox on MacWhere to download Roblox for Mac safely, how to install the Roblox Player, open games from the browser and get Roblox Studio if you want to create.
How to download and install RStudio on MacHow to install R from CRAN and then RStudio Desktop from Posit on a Mac, which R build fits your chip and what to set up first.
How to download and install RustDesk on MacWhere to download RustDesk for Mac safely, which file fits your Mac, how to install it and allow screen recording, accessibility and input monitoring.
How to download and install Signal on MacWhere to download Signal for Mac safely, how to install it, link it to Signal on your phone with a QR code and allow calls.
How to download and install Slack on MacWhere to download Slack for Mac safely, website or App Store, how to install it, sign in to your workspace and set up notifications.
How to download and install Spark on MacWhere to download Spark Mail for Mac safely, how to install it, add your email accounts and what to set up after the first launch.- How to download and install Spotify on MacWhere to download Spotify for Mac safely, which version fits your Mac, how to install it and what to set up after the first launch.
How to download and install Steam on MacWhere to download Steam for Mac safely, how to install it, which games run on a Mac and where Steam keeps them on your disk.
How to download and install Sublime Text on MacWhere to download Sublime Text for Mac, how to install the editor, enter a license, add packages and open files from Terminal with subl.
How to download and install TeamViewer on MacWhere to download TeamViewer for Mac safely, full client or QuickSupport, how to install it and allow screen recording, accessibility and disk access.- How to download and install Telegram on MacTelegram for macOS or Telegram Desktop: which to download, where to get it safely, how to install it and sign in with a QR code.
How to download and install The Unarchiver on MacHow to get The Unarchiver for Mac free from the App Store or its website, open RAR, 7z and other archives, and make it the default app for them.
How to download and install Thunderbird on MacWhere to download Thunderbird for Mac safely, how to install it, add your mail account and move over from Apple Mail or Outlook.
How to download and install Tor Browser on MacWhere to download Tor Browser for Mac safely, how to install it, connect to the Tor network and browse without giving yourself away.
How to download and install Transmit on MacWhere to download Transmit 5 for Mac from Panic, how the 7-day trial and the license work, how to install it and connect to your first server.
How to download and install UTM on MacWhere to download the free UTM for Mac, how it differs from the paid App Store version, how to install it and create your first virtual machine.
How to download and install VirtualBox on MacWhere to download VirtualBox for Mac, which build fits Apple Silicon or Intel, what it can run on each, and how to install it and allow its system software.- How to download and install Visual Studio Code on MacWhere to download Visual Studio Code for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and add the code command to Terminal.
How to download and install VLC on MacWhere to download VLC media player for Mac safely, which build fits your Mac, how to install it and make it your default video player.- How to download and install VMware Fusion on MacVMware Fusion for Mac is now free for everyone: how to download it through a Broadcom account, install it and create your first virtual machine.
How to download and install Webex on MacWhere to download the Webex app for Mac safely, which installer fits your Mac, how to install it and allow the camera, microphone and screen sharing.
How to download and install WhatsApp on MacWhere to download WhatsApp for Mac safely, website or App Store, how to install it, link it to your phone with a QR code and allow calls.
How to download and install Windows App on MacHow to install Windows App, formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop, on a Mac from the Mac App Store and connect to a Windows PC or Windows 365.- How to download and install Xcode on MacHow to install Xcode from the Mac App Store, how much space it needs, what the first launch downloads and where to get older or beta versions.
How to download and install Zed on MacWhere to download the Zed code editor for Mac, which build fits your Mac, how to install it, import VS Code settings and add the zed command.
How to download and install Zoom on MacWhere to download Zoom for Mac safely, which installer fits your Mac, how to install it and allow the camera, microphone and screen sharing.
Mac alternatives
- 7-Zip for Mac: Alternatives that work on macOSIs there 7-Zip for Mac, how to open and create 7z archives on macOS for free, and how to use the official 7-Zip in Terminal.
- Android File Transfer for Mac: Alternatives that work on macOSWhat happened to Android File Transfer, how to move files and photos from Android to a Mac by cable or Wi-Fi, and which free Android File Transfer alternatives to install.
Boot Camp for Mac: Alternatives that work on macOSIs there Boot Camp on Apple Silicon Macs, how to run Windows on a new Mac, and which Boot Camp alternatives to pick: Parallels, VMware Fusion, UTM, CrossOver.- Snipping Tool for Mac: Alternatives that work on macOSIs there a Snipping Tool for Mac, how to take a screenshot of part of the screen on macOS with a shortcut, and which screenshot apps to install.
- Task Manager for Mac: Alternatives that work on macOSWhere Task Manager is on a Mac, how to open Activity Monitor, force quit a frozen app and which Task Manager alternatives to install.
Uninstall an app
- How to uninstall 1Password on Mac completelyRemove 1Password from a Mac the way 1Password’s support describes, clear its local data and browser helpers, and keep access to your passwords.
How to uninstall AdGuard on Mac completelyRemove AdGuard for Mac: save your own filtering rules, delete the app, then clear the background helper, login helper, settings and logs it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on Mac completelyRemove Adobe Acrobat Reader from a Mac the way Adobe describes, and find the settings, caches and system files it leaves behind.- How to uninstall Adobe Creative Cloud on Mac completelyRemove the Creative Cloud desktop app from a Mac with Adobe’s own uninstaller, in the right order, and find the support files and settings it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Anaconda on Mac completelyRemove Anaconda from a Mac with its uninstall script or by hand, undo conda’s lines in your shell, and export your conda environments before you start.
- How to uninstall Android Studio on Mac completelyRemove Android Studio from a Mac, and decide what to do with the Android SDK and emulators, which take gigabytes and may be used by other tools.
- How to uninstall AnyDesk on Mac completelyRemove AnyDesk from a Mac with its own uninstall button, and find the background service, helpers, settings and screen permissions it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Arc on Mac completelyRemove the Arc browser from a Mac, save your Spaces, pinned tabs and passwords first, and find the caches and settings it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Audacity on Mac completelyRemove Audacity from a Mac by hand, find the settings, cache and temporary session files it leaves behind, and keep your projects and recordings.
How to uninstall Avast on Mac completelyRemove Avast Security or Avast One from a Mac with Avast’s own uninstaller, then check the background items it can leave in the system folders.
How to uninstall Bartender on Mac completelyRemove Bartender from a Mac and find the helper, scripting addition, audio plug-in, settings and caches it leaves in your Library and system folders.- How to uninstall Bitwarden on Mac completelyRemove the Bitwarden desktop app from a Mac and find the encrypted vault copy, caches, settings and logs it leaves behind, without losing your passwords.
- How to uninstall Brave Browser on Mac completelyRemove Brave Browser from a Mac, save your bookmarks, passwords and wallet first, and find the caches, settings and updater helper it leaves behind.
How to uninstall calibre on Mac completelyRemove calibre from a Mac and keep your books: back up the calibre library, delete the app and clear the settings, plugins and caches it leaves behind.- How to uninstall Claude on Mac completelyRemove the Claude desktop app from a Mac, save your MCP server settings first, and find the caches, logs and settings it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Cloudflare WARP on Mac completelyRemove Cloudflare WARP from a Mac with Cloudflare’s uninstall script, and check the background service, updater, settings and caches it can leave.- How to uninstall CrossOver on Mac completelyRemove CrossOver from a Mac with the CodeWeavers removal tool or by hand, and archive your bottles first if you want to keep your Windows programs.
- How to uninstall Cursor on Mac completelyRemove the Cursor code editor from a Mac, find the settings, caches and updater files it leaves, and keep your extensions and agent worktrees if needed.
How to uninstall DBeaver on Mac completelyRemove DBeaver from a Mac, back up your connections and SQL scripts first, and find the workspace, drivers, caches and settings it leaves behind.- How to uninstall DeepL on Mac completelyRemove the DeepL desktop app from a Mac the way DeepL describes, and find the settings, caches and Finder extension data it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Discord on Mac completelyRemove Discord from a Mac with the steps Discord’s support gives, and find the caches, settings and updater files the app leaves behind.
How to uninstall DisplayLink Manager on Mac completelyRemove DisplayLink Manager from a Mac with the Synaptics cleaner or by hand, and find the background services and login screen extension it leaves.- How to uninstall Docker Desktop on Mac completelyRemove Docker Desktop from a Mac with its own Uninstall option or by hand, and find the disk image, helpers and settings it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Dropbox on Mac completelyRemove the Dropbox app from a Mac without losing your files, and find the settings, caches, extensions and updater it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall DuckDuckGo on Mac completelyRemove the DuckDuckGo browser from a Mac, keep your bookmarks and passwords with Sync & Backup, and find the data, caches and VPN parts it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Epic Games Launcher on Mac completelyRemove Epic Games Launcher from a Mac: uninstall your games first, delete the app, then clear the data, cache, settings and cookies it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Evernote on Mac completelyRemove Evernote from a Mac without losing notes: check that they are synced, delete the app and clear the caches, settings and logs it leaves.- How to uninstall Figma on Mac completelyRemove the Figma desktop app and its FigmaAgent font helper from a Mac, and clear the caches and settings they leave behind. Your files stay in your account.
- How to uninstall Firefox on Mac completelyRemove Firefox from a Mac, back up or delete your profile, and find the caches, settings and background updater it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall GIMP on Mac completelyRemove GIMP from a Mac by hand, find the settings and cache it leaves behind, and back up the brushes and plug-ins you added before you start.
- How to uninstall GitHub Desktop on Mac completelyRemove GitHub Desktop from a Mac, keep your cloned repositories safe, and find the settings, caches, logs and updater files the app leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Google Chrome on Mac completelyRemove Google Chrome from a Mac, decide what to do with your profile and bookmarks, and find the caches, settings and updater it leaves behind.
- How to uninstall Google Drive on Mac completelyDisconnect and remove Google Drive for desktop from a Mac without losing files, then clear the Finder extensions, settings and caches it leaves.
- How to uninstall Grammarly on Mac completelyRemove Grammarly for Mac the way Grammarly describes, fix the «can’t be moved because it’s open» error, and find the files the app leaves behind.
- How to uninstall HandBrake on Mac completelyRemove HandBrake from a Mac, find the settings, cache and container it leaves behind, and export your custom presets before you start.
- How to uninstall Inkscape on Mac completelyRemove Inkscape from a Mac: delete the app, clear the settings and caches it leaves behind, and keep your own palettes, extensions and templates.
How to uninstall Insomnia on Mac completelyRemove Insomnia from a Mac, export the projects stored only on this Mac first, and find the data, caches, logs and updater files it leaves behind.
How to uninstall iStat Menus on Mac completelyRemove iStat Menus from a Mac with its own uninstaller, export your settings first, and clear the background services, caches and logs it leaves.
How to uninstall iTerm2 on Mac completelyRemove iTerm2 from a Mac, back up your profiles and settings first, and find the settings, caches, containers and shell integration lines it leaves behind.- How to uninstall Java on Mac completelyHow to remove Java from a Mac: Oracle Java the way Oracle documents it, what it leaves behind, and JDKs such as Eclipse Temurin and Oracle JDK.
How to uninstall Karabiner-Elements on Mac completelyRemove Karabiner-Elements from a Mac with its built-in uninstaller or from Terminal, keep your key mappings, and clear the files it leaves behind.
How to uninstall Kaspersky on Mac completelyRemove Kaspersky from a Mac with its built-in uninstaller or Kaspersky’s removal tool, and find the logs, caches, settings and extensions it leaves.- How to uninstall Keka on Mac completelyRemove Keka from a Mac, whether from the App Store or the website, with its Finder extension containers, settings and cache.
- How to uninstall LibreOffice on Mac completelyRemove LibreOffice from a Mac: delete the app, clear the user profile and settings it leaves behind, and keep your own templates, macros and dictionary.
How to uninstall Little Snitch on Mac completelyRemove Little Snitch and its network extension from a Mac, keep or delete your rules, and find the settings, caches and logs it leaves behind.- How to uninstall LM Studio on Mac completelyRemove LM Studio from a Mac, stop its background server, clear the caches and settings it leaves, and decide what to do with the models in ~/.lmstudio.
How to uninstall Logi Options+ on Mac completelyRemove Logi Options+ from a Mac the way Logitech describes, keep your device settings, and find the agents, updater, settings and logs it leaves.- How to uninstall Loom on Mac completelyRemove Loom from a Mac without losing a recording: check uploads, delete the app, clear its caches and settings, and remove its camera and screen access.