Skip to article frontmatterSkip to article content
Site not loading correctly?

This may be due to an incorrect BASE_URL configuration. See the MyST Documentation for reference.

Installing Miniforge on Mac

Miniforge is a lightweight Python distribution available for all operating systems. It is free to use, requires a minimal amount of software setup, and has a community-driven package repository.

Installation

  1. Visit the conda-forge website and click on the “Download Installer” button.

Screenshot of the Miniforge "Download Installer" webpage.

  1. There will be two options to select from for Macs, “Apple Silicon” or “Intel”:

Selecting the correct Mac OS installer package.

  1. If you’re not sure which version, click on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen and select “About This Mac”. If it has Apple by the “Processor” or “Chip” entry, then select Apple Silicon option. If it shows Intel under “Processor” or “Chip”, then pick the x86_64 option. This guide uses an Apple computer with an Apple M-type chip, so Apple Silicon is the correct download option.

Checking your Apple computer's processor type in "About This Mac".

  1. After downloading of the installation script, we now need to run it. Open up Spotlight and type in Terminal to launch the terminal application.

Searching for the Mac OS Terminal program in Spolight.

  1. Navigate to your Downloads folder with the cd command:

Navigating to the Downloads folder in Terminal.

  1. Run the installer script (replace the filename with the one you downloaded):

Running the Miniforge installer script in Terminal.

  1. Press ENTER to review the license agreement and press SPACE to scroll through the license.

Screenshot of reviewing the Miniforge license agreement in Terminal.

  1. After reaching the end of the license type yes in the terminal to accept.

Typing in "yes" in Terminal to accept the license agreement.

  1. Press ENTER to confirm the default install location in your home folder.

Default installation prompt for Miniforge. Use the default setting.

  1. When asked Do you wish to update your shell profile to automatically initialize conda?, type yes and press ENTER.

Terminal prompt confirming that the shell profile should be updated to initialize conda.

  1. Close and reopen Terminal so that the changes can take effect.

Verifying the installation

Open a new Terminal window. You should see (base) at the beginning of your prompt:

A blank Terminal window now with conda activated (notice "(base)" at the beginning of the prompt).

Finished!

Return back to the Getting Started with Python lesson to continue configuring your computer for Python programming.