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How to Easily Install Apps from .dmg files in your Mac OS X (Macbook & iMac)

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Mac OS X Apps which are not present on Mac AppStore are generally distributed in either .pkg or .dmg formats. However, many users find it difficult to install them due to their unfamiliarity with the .dmg format. Here’s a simple tutorial which will guide you on How you can easily install apps packaged in .dmg format on your Mac OS X machine (iMac & Macbook) . This method works on all Mac OS X versions (Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite & El Capitano as well) . Read on more for the complete tutorial.

Method to Install .dmg Format Apps on Mac OS X –

Pre-Requisites –

  • The .dmg File of the App you want to install. Download & Save the .dmg file in any folder.
  • Non-Guest User account access in Mac OS X (Any User account with app-install permissions or Administrator account).
  • In our Example, We will be using the Opera browser .dmg  file to demonstrate the installation process.

Steps to Install .dmg Apps in Mac OS X –

  1. Navigate to your .dmg file in Finder and double-Click on it.
  2. Now, Depending upon the source from where the app was obtained, OS X may start the installation process or it might block the installation of App with the error “unidentified developer” .  Click here for solution to “unidentified error” for your .dmg app .
  3. If you didn’t get the error, You will see an installer / or the app will install its image onto your homescreen (.dmg are basically app image files).
  4. Now, you’ll see the App Image (with a disc type icon) on to your Homescreen on Mac as show below –

    App After its Dmg File installed

    Installing the Dmg file doesn’t mean its installed, You will need to drag the App Icon image to the “Applications” folder for it to function properly.

  5. Dragging App Icon to Applications Folder – Launch the App by double clicking the App Image icon. It will open a window as shown in the image below-

    Drag App Icon on to the Applications Folder

    Now Click and drag the App Icon on to the “Applications” folder. i.e from Position 1. to Position 2. in the above image.

  6. Once you drag the Application App Image icon on to the Applications folder, it will be installed & will now be visible inside the Applications folder as shown below –

    Successfull Installation

    If you see the your App Icon without disk image background , You have installed the .dmg app successfully! .

  7. Simply Double-click the App Icon inside the Applications folder to launch your Application program.

So, this is one of the most simple methods to install .dmg application programs on Mac OS X. Some apps may require a further tweaking but this will get the job done 99 times. If you face any issues or encounter any problems feel free to comment.

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