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Fixes #12453 - Update GateKeeper instructions #12461

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Fixes #12453 - Update GateKeeper instructions #12461

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141 changes: 70 additions & 71 deletions reference/docs-conceptual/install/Installing-PowerShell-on-macOS.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,35 +1,35 @@
---
description: Information about installing PowerShell on macOS
ms.date: 10/16/2025
ms.date: 10/23/2025
title: Installing PowerShell on macOS
---

# Installing PowerShell on macOS

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].
[releases][11] page for PowerShell. After the package is installed, run `pwsh` from a terminal.
Before installing, check the list of [Supported versions][08].

> [!NOTE]
> 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.
> the [binary archive][03] method.

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

## Install the latest stable release of PowerShell

There are several ways to install PowerShell on macOS. Choose one of the following methods:

- Install using [Homebrew][27]. Homebrew is the preferred package manager for macOS.
- Install via [Direct Download][04].
- Install as [a .NET Global tool][28].
- Install using [Homebrew][05]. Homebrew is the preferred package manager for macOS.
- Install via [Direct Download][06].
- Install as [a .NET Global tool][04].
- Install from [binary archives][03].

## Install using Homebrew

If the `brew` command isn't found, you need to install Homebrew following [their instructions][10].
If the `brew` command isn't found, you need to install Homebrew following [their instructions][12].

```bash
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -118,62 +118,60 @@ brew upgrade powershell-lts
> continues to use the older version of PowerShell.
>
> If you decide to use different methods, there are ways to correct the issue using the
> [Homebrew link method][11].
> [Homebrew link method][13].

## Installation via Direct Download
## Install the package 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 Mac. The links to the current versions are:
install package from the [releases][11] page onto your Mac. The links to the current versions are:

- PowerShell 7.5
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-arm64.pkg][22]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.pkg][24]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-arm64.pkg][20]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.pkg][22]

- PowerShell 7.4
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.pkg][18]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.pkg][20]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.pkg][16]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.pkg][18]

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

### Using Finder

Install PowerShell using Finder:

1. Open 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:
You will receive the following error message when installing the package:

> "powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious
> software.
> "powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg" Not Opened
>
> Apple could not verify "powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg" is free from malware that may harm
> your Mac or compromise your privacy.

To work around this issue using Finder:
1. Select the **Done** button to close the prompt.

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
This error message comes from the Gatekeeper feature of macOS. For more information, see
[Safely open apps on your Mac - Apple Support][25].

### Using Terminal

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

```sh
sudo installer -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg -target /
```
After you've tried to open the package, follow these steps:

You might receive the following error message when installing the package:
1. Open **System Settings**.
1. Select **Privacy & Security** and scroll down to the **Security** section.
1. Select the **Open Anyway** button to confirm your intent to install PowerShell.
1. When the warning prompt reappears, select **Open Anyway**.
1. Enter username and password to allow the installation to proceed.

> "powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg" cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious
> software.
### Using Terminal

There are a few different ways to work around this issue from the command line:
To install the PowerShell package from the command line, you must bypass the Gatekeeper checks. Use
one of the following methods to install the package:

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

```sh
`sudo installer -allowUntrusted -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg -target /`
sudo installer -allowUntrusted -pkg ./Downloads/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg -target /
```

- Or install the package as you normally would after running one of the following commands:
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -204,22 +202,22 @@ dependencies.
> [!NOTE]
> You can use this method to install any version of PowerShell including the latest:
>
> - Stable release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=stable][09]
> - LTS release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=lts][07]
> - Preview release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=preview][08]
> - Stable release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=stable][11]
> - LTS release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=lts][09]
> - Preview release: [https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=preview][10]

### Installing binary archives on macOS
### Install binary archives on macOS

Download the install package from the [releases][09] page onto your Mac. The links to the current
Download the install package from the [releases][11] page onto your Mac. The links to the current
versions are:

- PowerShell 7.5-preview
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.tar.gz][23]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.tar.gz][25]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.tar.gz][21]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.tar.gz][23]

- PowerShell 7.4 (LTS)
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.tar.gz][19]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.tar.gz][21]
- Arm64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.tar.gz][17]
- x64 processors - [powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.tar.gz][19]

Use the following commands to install PowerShell from the binary archive. Change the download URL to
match the version you want to install.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -255,7 +253,7 @@ 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 extra PowerShell paths, refer to the [paths][05] section in this document and remove
To remove the extra PowerShell paths, refer to the [paths][07] section in this document and remove
the paths using `sudo rm`.

> [!NOTE]
Expand All @@ -273,7 +271,7 @@ the paths using `sudo rm`.
- Default modules are read from `$PSHOME/Modules`
- PSReadLine history is recorded to `~/.local/share/powershell/PSReadLine/ConsoleHost_history.txt`

PowerShell respects the [XDG Base Directory Specification][26] on macOS.
PowerShell respects the [XDG Base Directory Specification][24] on macOS.

## Supported versions

Expand All @@ -287,32 +285,33 @@ support those methods.

## Additional resources

- [Homebrew Web][10]
- [Homebrew GitHub Repository][12]
- [Homebrew-Cask][13]
- [Homebrew Web][12]
- [Homebrew GitHub Repository][14]
- [Homebrew-Cask][15]

<!-- link references -->
[01]: /dotnet/core/sdk
[02]: /dotnet/core/tools/global-tools
[03]: #binary-archives
[04]: #installation-via-direct-download
[05]: #paths
[06]: #supported-versions
[07]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=lts
[08]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=preview
[09]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=stable
[10]: https://brew.sh/
[11]: https://docs.brew.sh/Manpage#link-ln-options-formula
[12]: https://github.com/Homebrew
[13]: https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-cask
[18]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.pkg
[19]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.tar.gz
[20]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.pkg
[21]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.tar.gz
[22]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg
[23]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.tar.gz
[24]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.pkg
[25]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.tar.gz
[26]: https://specifications.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec/basedir-spec-latest.html
[27]: #install-using-homebrew
[28]: #install-as-a-net-global-tool
[04]: #install-as-a-net-global-tool
[05]: #install-using-homebrew
[06]: #install-the-package-via-direct-download
[07]: #paths
[08]: #supported-versions
[09]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=lts
[10]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=preview
[11]: https://aka.ms/powershell-release?tag=stable
[12]: https://brew.sh/
[13]: https://docs.brew.sh/Manpage#link-ln-options-formula
[14]: https://github.com/Homebrew
[15]: https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-cask
[16]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.pkg
[17]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-arm64.tar.gz
[18]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.pkg
[19]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.4.13/powershell-7.4.13-osx-x64.tar.gz
[20]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.pkg
[21]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-arm64.tar.gz
[22]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.pkg
[23]: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/download/v7.5.4/powershell-7.5.4-osx-x64.tar.gz
[24]: https://specifications.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec/basedir-spec-latest.html
[25]: https://support.apple.com/102445