How to install software programs on macOS operating system

Installing software programs on macOS is a necessity for people who use computers and Apple devices. Installing a software program is quite simple, if you do not know how to install software on macOS, see the general guidelines when installing computer software programs on the macOS operating system.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 1 Install software programs on macOS operating system

Sources for installing software programs on the macOS operating system

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 2 Sources for installing software programs on the macOS operating system

Install software programs from CD-ROM, DVD-ROM

The CD/DVD-ROM will have files with the extension or .app. .pkgNormally you just need to insert this disc into the drive and the installation program will run automatically. If the installation program does not run automatically, open the drive and double click on the installation file.

Install software programs from USB drives, memory cards or download them from websites on the Internet

1. If the installation files are formatted .appor .pkgthen you can double click on them to install.
2. If it's a disk image file .dmg, double click it. Then, on the screen will appear a drive, double click to open this drive, the installation program will automatically run or will display the installation file format or let you install it .appyourself .pkg.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 3 Install the software program from the disc image file DMG

1. If the software program is packaged in a compressed file .zip, you can double-click the file or right-click and select Open With -> Archive Utility.app to extract this file and then run the file. trust .appor .pkgto install.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 4 Install the software program from the ZIP archive

Install software programs from the App Store

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 5 Install software programs from the App Store

You can install software from the App Store. The app store simplifies the process of finding and installing software.

See instructions How to install software on the App Store app store

Usually software programs will automatically recognize the version of the operating system to install. However, in some cases you need to install the correct version for macOS 32-bit or macOS 64-bit .

Instructions on How to view computer parameters and macOS operating system version

Ways to install software programs on the macOS operating system

When you run the file to install the software, there will usually be 2 cases.

Quickly install software programs on macOS operating system

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 6 Quickly install software programs on macOS operating system

In case the software program has only one file, a dialog box will appear on the screen asking you to press the left mouse button on the file, then drag and drop it into the App folder to install .  

Install the software program according to the instructions on the macOS operating system

In this case, dialog boxes will appear to guide you through the installation step by step as follows:

first

Introduction dialog - Welcome to install the program. You just need to click Continue to continue.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 7 Introduction dialog - Welcome to install the program

2

License Dialog  - Asks you to accept the terms of the software program's copyright and terms of use. Click Continue to continue.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 8 License Dialog - Asks you to accept the terms of copyright

Next, click the Agree button to agree and continue with the installation.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 9 Click the Agree button to agree and continue with the installation

3

Installation Type dialog box  - Allows you to change where you want to place the software program - Change Install Location and optional settings - Customize . This option is usually for people who are knowledgeable about software programs. If you do not want to change, press the Install button to proceed with the installation.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 10 Installation Type dialog box - Allows you to change where you want to place and install options

1. If you choose Custom, additional parameters will appear for you to change or choose more.

4

If you select Change Install Location , the Select a Destination dialog box appears. You have 3 options as follows:

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 11 The Select a Destination dialog box will have 3 options

1. Install the software for all people sharing this computer.
2. Install your own software, others won't be able to use it.
3. Install on a specific disk…  Change the drive you want to install on.

After selecting, click Continue to return to the Installation Type dialog box  like Step 3 , click Install to proceed with the installation.

5

A dialog box appears asking you to enter your account password to allow the software to be installed, enter the password and click the Install Software button

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 12 Enter your account password to allow software installation

6

Installation dialog  - Indicates the software program being installed. The installation process is fast or slow depending on the size of the software program and the speed of the computer. A progress bar tracking the installation will also appear.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 13 The Installation dialog box indicates that the software program is being installed

7

Summary Dialog  - Tells you the software installation is complete. Click the Close button to finish the installation. In some cases you will need to restart your computer to update the changes after installing the software program. At this point, click Restart to restart the computer.

How to install software programs on macOS operating system Picture 14 Click Restart to restart the computer after installing the software

1. The installation steps may vary depending on the software program, but the general principle is the same.
2. The terms on the dialog boxes may be different, but their meanings are similar.

See instructions How to uninstall application software from a Mac computer

Samuel Daniel

Update 08 May 2023