RUNLOCALAIv38
->Will it run?Best GPUCompareTroubleshootStartLearnPulseModelsHardwareToolsBench
Run check
RUNLOCALAI

Independently operated catalog for local-AI hardware and software. Hand-written verdicts. Source-cited claims. Reproducible commands when we have them.

OP·Eruo Fredoline
DIR
  • Models
  • Hardware
  • Tools
  • Benchmarks
TOOLS
  • Will it run?
  • Compare hardware
  • Cost vs cloud
  • Choose my GPU
  • Prompting kits
  • Quick answers
REF
  • All buyer guides
  • Learn local AI
  • Methodology
  • Glossary
  • Errors KB
  • Trust
EDITOR
  • About
  • Author
  • How we make money
  • Editorial policy
  • Contact
LEGAL
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap
MAIL · MONTHLY DIGEST
Get monthly local AI changes
Monthly recap. No spam.
DISCLOSURE

Some links on this site are affiliate links (Amazon Associates and other first-class retailers). When you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links do not influence our verdicts — there are cards we rate highly that we don't have affiliate relationships with, and cards that sell well that we refuse to recommend. Read more →

© 2026 runlocalai.coIndependently operated
RUNLOCALAI · v38
  1. >
  2. Home
  3. /Learn
  4. /How-to
  5. /How to install Ollama on macOS
HOW-TO · SET

How to install Ollama on macOS

beginner·10 min·By Eruo Fredoline
Target environment
Ubuntu 24.04 · Ollama 0.4.xWindows 11 · Ollama 0.4.xmacOS 15 · Ollama 0.4.x
PREREQUISITES

A Mac with macOS 12 Monterey or later, active internet connection, and at least 2 GB of free disk space.

What this does

This guide installs the Ollama runtime on a macOS host using the official installer package. After completion, the ollama daemon runs in the background and accepts inference requests on port 11434.

Steps

  1. Download the macOS installer from the Ollama website. The package includes the CLI binary and a LaunchAgent for automatic startup.

    curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh -o install.sh

    Expected output: File download progress ending in a saved install.sh script.

  2. Run the installer script. The script places the binary at /usr/local/bin/ollama and registers the LaunchAgent.

    chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh

    Expected output: Ollama has been installed. Run 'ollama' to start.

  3. Start the Ollama service interactively or rely on automatic startup. On macOS, a LaunchAgent handles background operation.

    launchctl start ai.ollama.ollama

    Expected output: No output indicates success.

  • Record the local run evidence. Save the exact command, runtime or package version, model name if applicable, and observed output so the result can be reproduced later.

Verification

ollama list
# Expected: NAME   ID   SIZE   MODIFIED  (empty table is normal)

Common failures

  • Installation hangs on download — Slow or interrupted connection. Retry the download or use a direct binary install instead.
  • launchctl reports service not found — The LaunchAgent may not have registered correctly. Re-run the install script or start manually with ollama serve.
  • Binary not found in new terminal — PATH issue. Verify /usr/local/bin is in PATH with echo $PATH | tr ':' '\n' | grep local.
  • Apple Silicon (M-series) performance warnings — Ollama uses native ARM64 binaries on Apple Silicon automatically. No action needed.
  • Port 11434 already in use — Another process occupies the port. Identify it with lsof -i :11434 and stop or reassign the conflicting service.

Related guides

  • How to install Ollama on Linux
  • How to install Ollama on Windows
  • Course Ollama Deep Dive
RELATED GUIDES
SET
How to install Ollama on Linux
SET
How to install Ollama on Windows
← All how-to guidesCourses →