How to install Ollama on Mac
Quick answer
To install
Ollama on Mac, download the official installer from https://ollama.com and run the package. After installation, verify by running ollama --help in your terminal to confirm the CLI is available.PREREQUISITES
Mac running macOS 11 or laterTerminal accessInternet connection to download installer
Setup
Download the latest Ollama installer for Mac from the official website. The installer is a standard macOS package (.pkg) that guides you through the installation process.
Ensure you have administrator privileges to install software on your Mac.
curl -O https://ollama.com/download/ollama-mac.pkg
sudo installer -pkg ollama-mac.pkg -target / output
installer: Package name is Ollama installer: Upgrading at base path / installer: The install was successful.
Step by step
After installation, open your terminal and run the following command to verify Ollama is installed and accessible:
ollama --help output
Usage: ollama [command] Commands: run Run a model list List available models help Show help for a command
Common variations
You can also install Ollama via Homebrew for easier updates:
brew install ollama output
==> Downloading https://ollama.com/download/ollama-mac.pkg ==> Installing ollama 🍺 ollama was successfully installed!
Troubleshooting
- If
ollamacommand is not found, ensure/usr/local/binor the installation path is in yourPATHenvironment variable. - If installation fails, check for macOS version compatibility and try reinstalling.
Key Takeaways
- Download the official Ollama Mac installer from ollama.com for the most reliable setup.
- Verify installation by running 'ollama --help' in your terminal.
- Use Homebrew to install Ollama for easier management and updates.
- Check your PATH environment variable if the Ollama CLI is not recognized.
- Ensure macOS version compatibility before installing Ollama.