How to download and install DuckDuckGo on Mac

DuckDuckGo for Mac is a free browser from the company behind the DuckDuckGo search engine, and it comes from DuckDuckGo’s website as one installer for every Mac. Here is how to install it, bring over what you had in another browser and set it up after the first launch.

DuckDuckGo

macOS 12.3 or later
One file for Apple Silicon and Intel
Free

Official DuckDuckGo websiteduckduckgo.com ↗

Or the installer straight from the developer’s server:

For any Mac.dmg

The links go to the developer’s website (duckduckgo.com, staticcdn.duckduckgo.com). MacWashing is not affiliated with the developer and keeps no installers.

Step by stepDownload from the website and installHomebrewOne command in Terminal

Open Terminal (Applications › Utilities) and run:

brew install --cask duckduckgo

Homebrew 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.

Before you download

The DuckDuckGo browser blocks trackers on the sites you visit by default. Its installer runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, so there is no version to choose, and you don’t need an account.

The current DuckDuckGo app needs macOS 12.3 or later. Download it only from duckduckgo.com.

How to install DuckDuckGo

Open duckduckgo.dmg in your Downloads folder.
In the window that opens, drag DuckDuckGo to the Applications folder.

The DuckDuckGo disk image window: DuckDuckGo and the Applications folder to drag it to

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

On first launch DuckDuckGo offers to import bookmarks and passwords and to become the default browser. You can skip both and do it later.

What to set up after the first launch

Passwords. To import them later, open Settings › Passwords & Autofill and choose Import Passwords.
The Fire Button. The flame icon closes tabs and clears the data sites left behind in one click.
Default browser. System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Default web browser.
The installer. Move duckduckgo.dmg from Downloads to the Trash once DuckDuckGo runs.

If DuckDuckGo won’t install or open

«DuckDuckGo is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete it and download it again from DuckDuckGo’s website.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS version in About This Mac: the current version needs macOS 12.3 or later.
Nothing helps. Remove DuckDuckGo completely and install it again: see how to uninstall DuckDuckGo on Mac.

Alternatives to DuckDuckGo

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Questions and answers

Is the DuckDuckGo browser free?

Yes. The browser and its tracker blocking are free. DuckDuckGo also sells an optional subscription with a VPN and other extras.

Do I need a DuckDuckGo account?

No. The browser works without an account. To get your bookmarks and passwords on other devices, turn on Sync & Backup. It doesn’t need an account either.

Is DuckDuckGo for Mac built on Chrome?

No. It uses WebKit, the same engine as Safari, with DuckDuckGo’s own privacy protections on top.