One of the most common mistakes I see among new Mac users is fumbling with how to install new software. The process for installing new applications on your Mac can be confusing at first because it differs greatly from Windows’ software installation process. Nevertheless, the Mac method of software installation is actually quite simple and intuitive once you are accustomed to it. If your desktop is littered with DMG files and white drive-looking icons, read on!
Software installation with Mac OS X is very different different than the Windows world. On a Windows PC, you run an installer, tick off a few check boxes, and wait for the progress meter to reach completion. On a Mac, you simply drag and drop an Application into your computer’s “Applications” directory. The trick is that most Mac applications are distributed in DMG files, and many new Mac users end up running applications out of those DMG files instead of copying the applications to their Mac’s “Applications” directory.
Enough explanation, here’s how to install most Mac OS X applications:
- Download the app’s .DMG file. Often times it will end up on your desktop.
- Double-click the .DMG file to open it up. Another new icon with a name similar to the .DMG file will appear on your desktop.
- If a new Finder window doesn’t automatically appear, double click on the new icon that has appeared on your desktop. Guess what? A Finder window will appear.
- Locate your application’s icon within this new Finder window. Drag and drop it into your “Applications” directory.
Further Explanation
Alright, that was the abridged version. Here’s the long-winded version. I have just downloaded the DeskLickr application, and DeskLickr_1.2.dmg is sitting on my desktop. I double-click on DeskLickr1.2.dmg and a new icon labeled “DeskLickr 1.2″ appears on my desktop. Here’s what my desktop looks like at this point:
Fig. 1 - A DMG disk image mounted and ready.
Since most DMG images also pop up a new Finder window when they’re ready for use, the following window has also appear on my desktop:
Fig. 2 - The Finder window that appears after I double-click on the .DMG file.
Different applications are going to show you slightly different Finder windows. Each application’s designers like to add their own artwork. Glitter aside, most applications are also trying to tell you the same thing. See the arrow pointing from the DeskLickr icon to the Applications folder? That arrow is telling me to drag the DeskLickr icon and drop it into the Applications folder. Once I’ve done so my application, in this case DeskLickr, is installed.
If an application does not provide a shortcut to the Applications folder in which to drop the application icon, you’ll need to pop open a new Finder window. Press CMD+N to open a new window, then drag the application icon over to the “Applications” folder in the left-hand sidebar of the new window. Here is an illustration:
Fig. 3 - Dragging the application into the “Applications” folder of a new Finder window.
House Cleaning
Once your new application is installed, it’s time to do some house cleaning. You no longer need the disk image you downloaded, so perform the following tasks:
- Close any Finder windows that have been left open.
- Eject the disk image (not the .dmg file). Click on it’s desktop icon, then press CMD+E.
- Delete the .dmg file by dragging it to the trash.
That’s it! Your new Mac application is installed and ready for use. But wait…
Bonus Tip: Add Your New Application to the Dock
I knew you were going to ask, so I figured I would cut you off at the pass. In order to add your new application to the Dock, follow these steps:
- Open up a new Finder window.
- Click on Applications.
- Locate your application’s icon.
- Drag the icon to your Dock, and drop it wherever you like.
23 responses
September 21st, 2007
Hugh says:
Thanks. I needed a clear, simple example of how software is installed on a MAC.
Hugh
September 21st, 2007
Mike says:
Thanks for the tutorial, it’s very helpful for those of us coming from a windows background.
September 21st, 2007
Gerrit says:
Thank you for trying. The problem I have is more complex. I have installed MacOS 10 on an older iMac which originally ran OS 9. For some reason double clicking .dmg files results in an attempt to run the application - allowing that to go further results in Disk copy running and and ‘unable to verify’ message. There is something missing here and I have no idea where to go with it. You may be in a position to advise me. If you are I would be most grateful.
Regards
Gerrit
September 21st, 2007
bobmoff says:
Thanks!
September 21st, 2007
Michael says:
Hi, thanks for the simple and clear explanation. I was a windows user, and needed this helpful info.
thanks a lot. I now own a macbookpro and Im very happy with it. No need to go back to “windows”.
cheers!
September 21st, 2007
aaron says:
p.s. you can just drag the icon onto the applications folder in the DMG - ’tis a link to your apps folder ;D
September 21st, 2007
Naira says:
Many Thanks! Your tips were perfect and simple. Loved the ilustrations
September 21st, 2007
Talwinder Singh says:
how we can install .dmg ext. file in mac os
September 21st, 2007
Vladimir Chaikovski says:
Excellent guide line! Thanks Allot!
September 21st, 2007
Pat says:
Thanks a lot!! Excellent help!
September 21st, 2007
zoe cato says:
hey,
i tried this, but when i clicked the .DMG on the desktop, it said “no mountable file system found”
if you could email me [sugarholic3533@aol.com] with the answer, that would be awesome.
thanks!
September 21st, 2007
Session 6 « 30 Hour MLTI Projects says:
[...] Cheatsheet for installing downloaded software on a Mac. [...]
September 21st, 2007
jr says:
what about files you download from limewire/?..i just downloaded limewire pro and i am unable to install it keep getting error… please help
September 21st, 2007
Steve says:
everytime I try to install all I get is the error”0ex00002c9″ and that’s that! i’ve tried multiple files and everyone is the same..then I said forget it and tried to install a different program..only to get the same error..what am I doing wrong?
September 21st, 2007
krishna says:
hey.. that was really simple. all this time I had to mount my application and use it.
thank you very much.
krishna
September 21st, 2007
Tyrone Lee says:
Thanks for this I was desparate to learn so bad because i am from Vista and Xp pro back ground.
OSx86 is new to me
September 21st, 2007
Lori says:
I’m one of those novice users who was completely confused by the download process and was quickly becoming frustrated. Thanks so much for this quick tip, it worked perfectly!
September 21st, 2007
Suresh says:
It worked.. Thanks
September 21st, 2007
jessica says:
Everytime i try to open the .dmg file, it opens as ‘data’! i fixed this once before but now i am stuck and can’t seem to get this running. any advice you can give would be very helpful.
September 21st, 2007
Pamela Dooley says:
I would like permission to use your directions for “How to Install Software from DMG Files on a Mac” for the Web Mastering course I am writing.
September 21st, 2007
ganesh says:
nice tutorial…..
September 21st, 2007
Tom says:
Thanks for the walk-through, very useful, although if you’ve had to write it and by your own admission it’s a common problem then the Mac installation of a .dmg process could hardly at any stage be called ‘intuitive’.
September 21st, 2007
Of Zen and Computing says:
Tom: I took the long way. You can usually just drag and drop the application icon onto the Applications folder shortcut in the same Finder window as the DMG’s contents. Not every application comes with this shortcut though, so my explanation takes the long way.
I think Apple’s method of software installation is a huge step forward, and I like the drop & drop approach much better than the typical “Wizards” found on PCs. I also partially agree with you, in that there is always room for improvement. I would love to see a method of installing applications via drag and drop that still gives the user an opportunity to do a custom installation that excludes unnecessary parts of the program, or 3rd party “helper” applications.
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