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154 changes: 89 additions & 65 deletions reference/docs-conceptual/install/Installing-PowerShell-on-macOS.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
---
description: Information about installing PowerShell on macOS
ms.date: 04/29/2025
ms.date: 06/18/2025
title: Installing PowerShell on macOS
---

# Installing PowerShell on macOS

PowerShell 7 or higher requires macOS 11 and higher. All packages are available on our GitHub
[releases][09] page. After the package is installed, run `pwsh` from a terminal. Before installing,
check the list of [Supported versions][06] below.
PowerShell 7 or higher requires macOS 13 and higher. All packages are available on the GitHub
[releases][09] page for PowerShell. After the package is installed, run `pwsh` from a terminal.
Before installing, check the list of [Supported versions][06].

> [!NOTE]
> PowerShell 7.4 is an in-place upgrade that removes previous versions of PowerShell 7. Preview
> versions of PowerShell can be installed side-by-side with other versions of PowerShell. If you
> need to run PowerShell 7.4 side-by-side with a previous version, reinstall the previous version
> using the [binary archive][04] method.
> PowerShell 7.4 is an in-place upgrade that removes previous versions of PowerShell 7. You can
> install preview versions of PowerShell side-by-side with other versions of PowerShell. If you need
> to run PowerShell 7.4 side-by-side with a previous version, reinstall the previous version using
> the [binary archive][04] method.

[!INCLUDE [Latest version](../../includes/latest-install.md)]

Expand All @@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ check the list of [Supported versions][06] below.
There are several ways to install PowerShell on macOS. Choose one of the following methods:

- Install using [Homebrew][10]. Homebrew is the preferred package manager for macOS.
- Install PowerShell via [Direct Download][04]
- Install via [Direct Download][04]
- Install from [binary archives][03].

If the `brew` command isn't found, you need to install Homebrew following [their instructions][10].
Expand All @@ -32,15 +32,15 @@ If the `brew` command isn't found, you need to install Homebrew following [their
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
```

Once `brew` is installed you can install PowerShell.
Once `brew` is installed, install PowerShell.

The following command installs the latest stable release of PowerShell:

```sh
brew install --cask powershell
```

Finally, verify that your install is working properly:
Verify the installation is working correctly:

```sh
pwsh
Expand All @@ -54,15 +54,15 @@ brew upgrade powershell
```

> [!NOTE]
> The commands above can be called from within a PowerShell (pwsh) host, but then the PowerShell
> shell must be exited and restarted to complete the upgrade and refresh the values shown in
> You can call the previous commands from within a PowerShell (`pwsh`) session, but then you must
> restart the PowerShell session to complete the upgrade and refresh the values shown in
> `$PSVersionTable`.

[brew]: https://brew.sh/

## Install the latest preview release of PowerShell

After you've installed Homebrew, you can install PowerShell.
The following command installs the latest preview release of PowerShell:

```sh
brew install powershell/tap/powershell-preview
Expand All @@ -74,105 +74,128 @@ Run the following command to start the preview version of PowerShell:
pwsh-preview
```

When new versions of PowerShell are released, update Homebrew's formulae and upgrade PowerShell:
When new preview versions of PowerShell are released, update Homebrew's formulae and upgrade to the
latest preview version of PowerShell:

```sh
brew update
brew upgrade powershell-preview
```

> [!NOTE]
> The commands above can be called from within a PowerShell (pwsh) host, but then the PowerShell
> shell must be exited and restarted to complete the upgrade. and refresh the values shown in
> You can call the previous commands from within a PowerShell (`pwsh`) session, but then you must
> restart the PowerShell session to complete the upgrade and refresh the values shown in
> `$PSVersionTable`.

## Install the latest LTS release of PowerShell

The following command installs the latest LTS release of PowerShell:

```sh
brew install powershell/tap/powershell-lts
```

You can now verify your install
Verify your installation:

```sh
pwsh-lts
```

When new versions of PowerShell are released, run the following command.
When new LTS versions of PowerShell are released, run the following commands to update Homebrew's
formulae and upgrade to the latest LTS version of PowerShell:

```sh
brew update
brew upgrade powershell-lts
```

> [!NOTE]
> Whether you use the cask or the tap method, when updating to a newer version of PowerShell, use
> the same method you used to initially install PowerShell. If you use a different method, opening a
> new pwsh session will continue to use the older version of PowerShell.
> When updating to a newer version of PowerShell, use the same method, cask or the tap, that you
> used to perform the initial install. If you use a different method, opening a new pwsh session
> continues to use the older version of PowerShell.
>
> If you do decide to use different methods, there are ways to correct the issue using the
> If you decide to use different methods, there are ways to correct the issue using the
> [Homebrew link method][11].

## Installation via Direct Download

Starting with version 7.2, PowerShell supports the Apple M-series Arm-based processors. Download the
install package from the [releases][09] page onto your computer. The links to the current versions
are:
install package from the [releases][09] page onto your Mac. The links to the current versions are:

- PowerShell 7.4
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-x64.pkg][20]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-arm64.pkg][18]
- PowerShell 7.5
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.pkg][24]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-arm64.pkg][22]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.pkg][24]

- PowerShell 7.4
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-arm64.pkg][18]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-x64.pkg][20]

There are two ways to install PowerShell using the Direct Download method.

### Using Finder

You can double-click the file and follow the prompts, or install it from the terminal using the
following commands. Change the name of the file to match the file you downloaded.
Install PowerShell using Finder:

1. Open Finder
1. Locate the downloaded package
1. Double-click the file
1. Follow the prompts

You might receive the following error message when installing the package:

> "powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.pkg" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious
> software.

To work around this issue using Finder:

1. Locate the downloaded package in Finder
1. Control-click (click while pressing the <kbd>Control (or Ctrl)</kbd> key on the package
1. Select **Open** from the context menu

### Using Terminal

Install PowerShell from the terminal. Change the filename to match the package you downloaded.

```sh
sudo installer -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.pkg -target /
sudo installer -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.pkg -target /
```

If you are running on macOS Big Sur 11.5 or higher you may receive the following error message
when installing the package:
You might receive the following error message when installing the package:

> "powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.pkg" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious
> "powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.pkg" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious
> software.

There are two ways to work around this issue:
There are a few different ways to work around this issue from the command line:

Using the Finder
- Run the `installer` command with the **allowUntrusted** flag:

1. Find the package in Finder.
1. Control-click (click while pressing the <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> key) on the package.
1. Select **Open** from the context menu.
```sh
`sudo installer -allowUntrusted -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.pkg -target /`
```

From the command line
- Or install the package as you normally would after running one of the following commands:

1. Run `sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.pkg`. If you are using
PowerShell 7 or higher, you can use the `Unblock-File` cmdlet. Include the full path to the
`.pkg` file.
1. Install the package as you normally would.

> [!NOTE]
> This is a known issue related to package notarization that will be addressed in the future.
- Run `sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.pkg`.
- Use the `Unblock-File` cmdlet if you're using PowerShell. Include the full path to the `.pkg`
file.

## Install as a .NET Global tool

If you already have the [.NET Core SDK][01] installed, it's easy to install PowerShell as a
[.NET Global tool][02].

```
```sh
dotnet tool install --global PowerShell
```

The dotnet tool installer adds `~/.dotnet/tools` to your `PATH` environment variable. However, the
currently running shell doesn't have the updated `PATH`. You should be able to start PowerShell from
a new shell by typing `pwsh`.
currently running shell doesn't have the updated `PATH`. Start PowerShell from a new shell by typing
`pwsh`.

## Binary Archives

PowerShell binary `tar.gz` archives are provided for the macOS platform to enable advanced
deployment scenarios. When you install using this method you must also manually install any
deployment scenarios. When you install using this method, you must also manually install any
dependencies.

> [!NOTE]
Expand All @@ -184,22 +207,23 @@ dependencies.

### Installing binary archives on macOS

Download the install package from the [releases][09] page onto your computer. The links to the
current versions are:
Download the install package from the [releases][09] page onto your Mac. The links to the current
versions are:

- PowerShell 7.4 (LTS)
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-x64.tar.gz][21]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-arm64.tar.gz][19]
- PowerShell 7.5-preview
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.tar.gz][25]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.tar.gz][23]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.tar.gz][25]

- PowerShell 7.4 (LTS)
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-arm64.tar.gz][19]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.10-osx-x64.tar.gz][21]

Use the following commands to install PowerShell from the binary archive. Change the download URL to
match the version you want to install.

```sh
# Download the powershell '.tar.gz' archive
curl -L -o /tmp/powershell.tar.gz https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.1/powershell-7.5.1-osx-x64.tar.gz
curl -L -o /tmp/powershell.tar.gz https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.1/powershell-7.5.1-osx-arm64.tar.gz

# Create the target folder where powershell is placed
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/microsoft/powershell/7
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -228,11 +252,11 @@ If you installed PowerShell via direct download, PowerShell must be removed manu
sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/pwsh /usr/local/microsoft/powershell
```

To remove the additional PowerShell paths, refer to the [paths][05] section in this document and
remove the paths using `sudo rm`.
To remove the extra PowerShell paths, refer to the [paths][05] section in this document and remove
the paths using `sudo rm`.

> [!NOTE]
> This isn't necessary if you installed with Homebrew.
> This process isn't necessary if you installed with Homebrew.

## Paths

Expand All @@ -244,7 +268,7 @@ remove the paths using `sudo rm`.
- User modules are read from `~/.local/share/powershell/Modules`
- Shared modules are read from `/usr/local/share/powershell/Modules`
- Default modules are read from `$PSHOME/Modules`
- PSReadLine history are recorded to `~/.local/share/powershell/PSReadLine/ConsoleHost_history.txt`
- PSReadLine history is recorded to `~/.local/share/powershell/PSReadLine/ConsoleHost_history.txt`

PowerShell respects the [XDG Base Directory Specification][26] on macOS.

Expand All @@ -254,8 +278,8 @@ PowerShell respects the [XDG Base Directory Specification][26] on macOS.

## Installation support

Microsoft supports the installation methods in this document. There may be other methods of
installation available from other sources. While those tools and methods may work, Microsoft can't
Microsoft supports the installation methods in this document. There might be other methods of
installation available from other sources. While those tools and methods might work, Microsoft can't
support those methods.

## Additional Resources
Expand Down