--- title: "How to Install PostgreSQL on Mac" description: "Get started with a powerful database solution and learn how to install PostgreSQL on Mac in this ATA Learning tutorial!" canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/install-postgresql-on-mac/" --- # How to Install PostgreSQL on Mac > Get started with a powerful database solution and learn how to install PostgreSQL on Mac in this ATA Learning tutorial! Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/install-postgresql-on-mac/ --- ATA Learning Tap to hide [ ATA Learning ](/) * [Home](/) * [Tutorials](/tutorials/) * [Instructors](/author/) * [Advertising](/advertising/) * [Recommended Resources](/resources/) * [About Adam](/about-adam/) Search for: * [](https://twitter.com/adbertram) * [](https://github.com/Adam-the-Automator) * [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-the-automator-llc) * [](/feed/) ![How to Install PostgreSQL on Mac](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/install-postgresql-on-mac.jpg) # How to Install PostgreSQL on Mac [![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1bc5e1d52466fc3739f550c8d78be310684747bf1466a98d698320627ea243e2?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Michael Nguyen Tu](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/michael-nguyen-tu/)4 January 20235 min. read Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/) Tags:[Databases](/tag/databases/)[macOS](/tag/macos/)[PostgreSQL](/tag/postgresql/) Table of Contents * [Prerequisites](#prerequisites) * [Installing PostgreSQL on Mac Using the DMG Package Installer](#installing-postgresql-on-mac-using-the-dmg-package-installer) * [Install PostgreSQL via CLI](#install-postgresql-via-cli) * [Creating a Database on PostgreSQL](#creating-a-database-on-postgresql) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) PostgreSQL is a powerful and open-source object-relational database management system with a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance. But how do you install PostgreSQL on your Mac? Setting up PostgreSQL on Mac can be intimidating for those new to the platform. Not to worry, though. This tutorial will provide a comprehensive overview of the installation process, covering all you need to get started with PostgreSQL on your Mac. Read on and take your first steps into the world of PostgreSQL! ## Prerequisites Before diving into the installation process, ensure you have a macOS (OS X) version 10.6 or newer. ## Installing PostgreSQL on Mac Using the DMG Package Installer Out of all the ways to install PostgreSQL on Mac, the easiest way is using the DMG package installer. Where to get it? The PostgreSQL developer provides an official DMG package containing the necessary files and resources to install PostgreSQL. To install PostgreSQL on Mac using a DMG package installer 1\. Open your favorite web browser, and navigate to the [PostgreSQL download website](https://www.enterprisedb.com/downloads/postgres-postgresql-downloads). 2\. Next, click the download icon under the **Mac OS X** column next to the version you wish to install. This tutorial goes with **15.1**, the latest version available at this time of writing. ![Downloading the PostgreSQL DMG package installer for Mac](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-46.png) Downloading the PostgreSQL DMG package installer for Mac 3\. Once the download completes, double-click the DMG file to open it. Doing so mounts the DMG package, and a window appears with the _PostgreSQL.pkg_ file. Double-click the PostgreSQL.pkg file to start the installation process. ![Opening the PostgreSQL.pkg file to install PostgreSQL on Mac](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-47.png) Opening the _PostgreSQL.pkg_ file to install PostgreSQL on Mac 4\. Now, click **Open** on the pop-up window to confirm the installation. This prompt is a security measure implemented by macOS to protect your computer from potentially malicious software. ![Confirming the installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-48.png) Confirming the installation 5\. Enter the password for your administrator account when prompted, and click **OK** to authorize PostgreSQL to make changes. ![Authorizing PostgreSQL to make changes](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-49.png) Authorizing PostgreSQL to make changes 6\. Click **Next** when the PostgreSQL Setup Wizard appears to continue with the installation. ![Continuing with the installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-50.png) Continuing with the installation 7\. On the next screen, select the installation directory and click **Next**. Leaving the default installation directory is most recommended unless you have a specific reason to change it. ![Selecting an installation directory](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-51.png) Selecting an installation directory 8\. Next, select all of the available components to ensure you have the full functionality of PostgreSQL, and click **Next**. Below are the components available for PostgreSQL: * **PostgreSQL Server** – The PostgreSQL server itself. * **pgAdmin 4** – Allows you to manage your PostgreSQL databases and work with SQL via GUI. Related:[Installing the PGAdmin Ubuntu (PostgreSQL Dashboard)](https://adamtheautomator.com/pgadmin-ubuntu/) * **Stack Builder** – Allows you to manage and install additional components. * **Command Line Tools** – Allows you to access PostgreSQL via the terminal. ![Selecting components to install](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-52.png) Selecting components to install 9\. Once installed, select a directory where PostgreSQL will store its data, and click **Next**. ![Selecting the data directory](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-53.png) Selecting the data directory 10\. Provide a secure password for the superuser (**postgres**) account and click **Next**. Related:[Stop the Confusion: Keep End Users Secure with Strong Passwords](https://adamtheautomator.com/strong-passwords/) The postgres superuser has full access to all databases on the system, so ensure you choose a strong and unique password. ![Provide a secure password](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-54.png) Provide a secure password 11\. Now, select a port for the PostgreSQL server and click **Next**. The default port is **5432**, but you can choose a different one. Keep in mind, though, that some port numbers are [reserved for specific services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TCP_and_UDP_port_numbers). ![Selecting a port for the PostgreSQL server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-55.png) Selecting a port for the PostgreSQL server 12\. Keep the **Default locale** selected, and click **Next** to continue. A locale is a set of regional and language-specific settings that determine how text and other data are displayed and stored in the database. ![Selecting the default locale](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-56.png) Selecting the default locale 13\. Review your selected settings and click **Back** to change any or **Next** to continue. ![Reviewing the selected settings for the PostgreSQL installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-57.png) Reviewing the selected settings for the PostgreSQL installation 14\. Once reviewed, click **Next** to carry on with the installation. ![Finalizing the installation ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-58.png) Finalizing the installation Wait for the installation to complete. The installation starts, and the progress bar displays, as shown below. ![Viewing the installation progress](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-59.png) Viewing the installation progress 15\. Once the installation is complete, click **Finish** to close the wizard. ![Closing the setup wizard](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-60.png) Closing the setup wizard 16\. Lastly, search for and launch **pgAdmin** to explore the new PostgreSQL installation from the Launchpad. ![Launching the pgAdmin GUI](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-61.png) Launching the pgAdmin GUI ## Install PostgreSQL via CLI Even though installing PostgreSQL using the DMG package installer looks easy enough, clicking your way through the setup wizard can be tedious. Is there a quicker way? Yes! You can install PostgreSQL on Mac via CLI with a few [Homebrew](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-homebrew/) commands. Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that allows you to install and manage various software packages from the terminal. Related:[How to Install Homebrew on macOS](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-homebrew/) To install PostgreSQL via CLI, follow these steps: 1\. Open your terminal, and run the following `brew` command to update Homebrew’s package list. `brew update` ```bash brew update ``` ![Updating Homebrew’s package list](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-62.png) Updating Homebrew’s package list 2\. Next, run the command below to `install` `postgresql`. `brew install postgresql` ```bash brew install postgresql ``` Alternatively, run the below command to install a specific version of PostgreSQL. Replace `VERSION` with your preferred version of PostgreSQL to install. But this example installs version 11 of PostgreSQL. > 💡 _Homebrew lets you install and switch between different versions of PostgreSQL. You also have total control over starting, stopping, and restarting your PostgreSQL server._ ```bash brew install PostgreSQL@VERSION ``` At this point, your PostgreSQL server will be installed on your Mac ![Install PostgreSQL on Mac via CLI](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-63.png) Install PostgreSQL on Mac via CLI 3\. Now, run the following `brew services` command to `start` the server (`postgresql`). ```bash brew services start postgresql ``` ![Starting the PostgreSQL server ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-64.png) Starting the PostgreSQL server But when you are not using the PostgreSQL server, run the below command to `stop` the server and save system resources. `brew services stop postgresql` ```bash brew services stop postgresql ``` ![Stopping the PostgreSQL server](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-65.png) Stopping the PostgreSQL server ## Creating a Database on PostgreSQL With your PostgreSQL server running, it is time to create a database to test your setup. But first, you need to log in to the Postgres shell. 1\. Run the following `psql` command to log in to the Postgres shell. ```bash psql postgres ``` Your prompt changes to `postgres=#`, as shown below, which indicates you are logged in as the superuser. ![Logging in to the Postgres shell](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-66.png) Logging in to the Postgres shell 2\. Next, run the below query to `CREATE` a `DATABASE` in your PostgreSQL instance. You can name the database differently, but this tutorial uses `my_database`. ```bash CREATE DATABASE my_database; ``` ![Creating a database](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-67.png) Creating a database 3\. Once created, run the below command to `\\list` all databases on the system. `\\list` ```sql \list ``` As shown below, you can verify your newly-created database. ![Listing all available databases on the system](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-68.png) Listing all available databases on the system 4\. Now, run the following command to `\connect` to your new database (`my_database`). ```sql \connect my_database ``` If successful, your prompt changes to `my_database=#`, which indicates you are connected to your database. ![Connecting to the new database](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-69.png) Connecting to the new database 5\. Lastly, run either of the following commands to exit the PostgreSQL shell. If you are connected to a database when you exit the PostgreSQL shell, you will be disconnected from that database. Any changes you have made to the database will be saved. ```sql -- Exit the PostgreSQL shell \q -- Exit the PostgreSQL shell -- Closes the terminal window and terminates any running processes in the terminal. exit ``` ![Exiting the PostgreSQL shell](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-70.png) Exiting the PostgreSQL shell ## Conclusion Databases are compelling and essential to running modern applications, and PostgreSQL is one of the most powerful database management systems available. And in this tutorial, you have learned how to install PostgreSQL on your Mac via GUI and CLI (Homebrew). You have already created a database using the Postgres shell. So with a bit of practice, you will get to start creating databases and working with data in no time. Why not develop your skills further? Perhaps try [loading the PostgreSQL sample database](https://www.postgresqltutorial.com/postgresql-getting-started/load-postgresql-sample-database/) and play around with it. 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