Installing Applications

In this lesson for macOS Mojave on the Mac, I look at the different ways you install applications. When you install applications, the overall goal is to install them in the Applications folder. When you download an app from the App Store, it installs it in the Applications folder, if you use an installer, it will install the app in the Applications folder. There are four basic ways to install an app in the Applications folder.

Installing through the App Store
This is the easiest way to install an app. When you purchase an app in the App Store, it will automatically install it in your Applications folder.

Downloading an App
You can also download an application, let’s say from the developer’s website, it will download it through Safari and place it in the Downloads folder by default. Once the app is downloaded, you’ll want to move it to the Applications folder to finish the installation.

Installing from an Installer
In some cases when you download an app, again let’s say from a developer’s website, it will come as a package. The icon will look like a box in most cases. This is an installer. What you need to do to finish the installation is open the package. From there the installer will guide you through installing the app. When finished, the app will be in your Applications folder. You can delete the installer or package in your downloads folder once the app is installed.

Installing from a DMG file
With this type of installation, you download a DMG file to your downloads folder. This type of file is a virtual disk. Once it is downloaded, you open the file. When you open it, you will see a virtual drive on your desktop. Open that virtual disk to see your application. From there, you need to drag the application to the Applications folder. When finished installing, you can delete the DMG file and eject the virtual disk on your desktop.

See this Lesson Action
To see this lesson in action, take a look at the video above.