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How to download and install Notion on Mac

Notion for Mac is the desktop app for your Notion workspace, and it comes from Notion’s own website. Here is which version to pick, how to install it and what to set up after you sign in.

Notion

  • macOS 12 or later
  • Apple Silicon and Intel
  • Free. Paid plans for more
Official Notion websitenotion.com ↗

Or the installer straight from the developer’s server:

For Apple Silicon.dmgFor Intel.dmg

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

Open Terminal (Applications › Utilities) and run:

brew install --cask notion

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.

Which version to download

The Download for macOS button on Notion’s website gives you one file that runs on every Mac. The separate builds for Apple Silicon and Intel are smaller. To pick one, check which chip your Mac has:

  1. Choose Apple menu › About This Mac.
  2. If you see Chip with Apple M1, M2 or later, take the version for Apple Silicon. If you see Processor with Intel, take the one for Intel.

Notion needs macOS 12 Monterey or later and a Notion account: the app shows your workspace after you sign in. Download it only from notion.com.

How to install Notion

  1. Open the downloaded Notion .dmg in your Downloads folder.
  2. In the window that opens, drag Notion to the Applications folder.
The Notion disk image window: Notion and the Applications folder to drag it to
  1. Eject the Notion disk: click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar.
  2. Open Notion from Applications and click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet.
  3. Sign in with your email, Google or Apple account, or create a new account.

What to set up after the first launch

  • Notifications. macOS asks whether Notion may send notifications. Allow them if you want to hear about mentions and comments. You can change it later in System Settings › Notifications.
  • Calendar and mail. Notion Calendar and Notion Mail are separate apps. Install them only if you need them.
  • Disk space. Notion keeps a cache of the pages you open, and pages you make available offline are stored on your Mac too.
  • The installer. Move the .dmg from Downloads to the Trash once Notion runs.

If Notion won’t install or open

  • «Notion is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete the file and download it again from notion.com.
  • Notion doesn’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS version in About This Mac: Notion needs macOS 12 or later.
  • Notion opens to a blank window or keeps logging you out. Remove it with its cache and install it again. Your pages stay in your account: see how to uninstall Notion on Mac.

Alternatives to Notion

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Questions and answers

Is Notion for Mac free?

Yes. The app is free, and the Free plan is enough for personal notes. Paid plans add more for teams, such as longer page history and more file uploads.

Do I need an account to use Notion?

Yes. Notion keeps your pages in your account, so the app asks you to sign in or create one. For Mac, Notion offers the app on its own website, not in the Mac App Store.

Can I use Notion without the app?

Yes. The same workspace opens in the browser at notion.so. The app adds its own window, notifications and quick switching between pages.