This wikiHow teaches you how to open a DMG file on a Mac. Since DMG files are usually used to install applications on Mac computers, you cannot open them on Windows computers.
Step
Step 1. Double-click the DMG file
After that, the Mac will try to open it and display a pop-up message "[File name] can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store".
- If you do not see a pop-up window containing the message, continue to the "Review the DMG's contents" step at the end of this method.
- Since DMG files are generally downloaded, you can find them in the " Downloads " folder of the Finder window.
Step 2. Click the OK button when prompted
After that, the pop-up window will close.
Step 3. Open the “Apple” menu
Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the screen. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click System Preferences
It's at the top of the drop-down menu. After that, the “System Preferences” window will be opened.
Step 5. Click Security & Privacy
It's at the top of the “System Preferences” window.
Step 6. Click the padlock lock icon
It's in the lower-left corner of the window. After that, a pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 7. Enter the password, then click the Unlock button
You can do this in the pop-up window that appears. After entering the password, you can edit the content or entries on this page.
Step 8. Click Open Anyway
This option is to the right of the DMG file name that appears at the bottom of the page.
Step 9. Click Open when prompted
After that, the DMG file will be opened so you can view its contents and continue with the installation process.
Step 10. Review the contents of the DMG file
Usually, you use a DMG file to install the app. However, sometimes DMG files may contain photos or text files.
- Any file that ends in an.app extension is an installable application.
- It is possible that you may see the " Applications " icon in the DMG window. This is a shortcut to the “Applications” folder on your computer.
Step 11. Install the DMG app
Locate the icon for the application you want to install (eg Firefox), then click and drag the icon onto the " Applications " icon in the window. After that, the application loaded in the DMG file will be installed. After the installation is complete, you can search for it in the “Launchpad” menu.
