How to download and install OBS Studio on Mac

Which version to download

On the download page, choose macOS. There are two installers: one for Apple Silicon (arm64) and one for Intel (x86_64). To know which one you need:

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

OBS Studio needs macOS 13 Ventura or later. Download it only from obsproject.com or the OBS Project’s own page on GitHub: copies elsewhere may come with extra software.

How to install OBS Studio

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

3. Eject the OBS disk: click the eject button next to it in the Finder sidebar.
4. Open OBS from Applications and click Open when macOS asks about an app downloaded from the internet.
5. OBS offers its Auto-Configuration Wizard: tell it whether you mostly stream or record, and it picks the settings. You can skip it and run it later from the Tools menu.

Permissions OBS needs

On the first launch OBS shows a window with the permissions it uses. You can also turn them on in System Settings › Privacy & Security:

• Screen & System Audio Recording: to capture your screen, windows and apps. Quit and reopen OBS after turning it on.
• Camera: for webcams and capture cards.
• Microphone: for your mic and other audio inputs.
• Accessibility: only if you want OBS hotkeys to work while another app is in front.

What to set up after the first launch

• Where recordings go. By default OBS saves them to your Movies folder. Video takes a lot of space, so check that folder now and then or choose another disk in the Output section of OBS settings.
• A backup of your setup. Once your scenes are ready, save them with Scene Collection › Export and Profile › Export.
• The installer. Move the .dmg from Downloads to the Trash once OBS runs.

If OBS won’t install or open

• «OBS is damaged and can’t be opened». The download was incomplete. Delete it and download it again from obsproject.com.
• The screen capture is black. Turn on Screen & System Audio Recording for OBS as above, then quit and reopen OBS.
• OBS doesn’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS version in About This Mac: OBS Studio needs macOS 13 or later.
• Nothing helps. Export your scenes, remove OBS completely and install it again: see how to uninstall OBS Studio on Mac.

Alternatives to OBS Studio

• LoomQuick screen recordings you share by link.