How to Install Homebrew on Mac M1: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Welcome to our informative article on how to install Homebrew on Mac M1. Homebrew is a package manager that allows you to easily install and manage software packages on your Mac. If you’ve recently switched to a Mac M1 and are wondering how to install Homebrew, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to install Homebrew on Mac M1 and give you some tips and tricks to enhance your user experience. Let’s get started!

Steps to Install Homebrew on Mac M1

Step 1: Disable SIP

SIP (System Integrity Protection) is a security feature that limits the actions that the root user can perform on a Mac. As Homebrew requires root access, you will need to disable SIP before installing Homebrew on your Mac M1.

To disable SIP:

  1. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
  2. Go to Utilities > Terminal.
  3. Type in the command “csrutil disable” and press Enter.
  4. Restart your Mac again and proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Install Rosetta

As some of the software packages in Homebrew are not optimized for Mac M1, you will need to install Rosetta to run these packages. Rosetta is a translation tool that allows software designed for Intel-based Macs to run on Mac M1.

To install Rosetta:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “softwareupdate –install-rosetta” and press Enter.
  2. Wait for the installation to finish.
  3. You can now proceed to install Homebrew.

Step 3: Install Homebrew

To install Homebrew:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “/bin/bash -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)” ” and press Enter.
  2. Wait for the installation to finish.
  3. Type in the command “brew doctor” and press Enter to verify the installation.

Step 4: Add Homebrew to PATH

To add Homebrew to PATH:

  1. Type in the command “echo ‘export PATH=”/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH”‘ >> ~/.zshrc” and press Enter.
  2. Restart Terminal for the changes to take effect.

Step 5: Install Xcode Command Line Tools

Xcode Command Line Tools are a set of tools that developers use to create software applications on Mac. Homebrew requires Xcode Command Line Tools to run properly.

To install Xcode Command Line Tools:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “xcode-select –install” and press Enter.
  2. Click the Install button in the popup window.
  3. Wait for the installation to finish.

Step 6: Create a GitHub Account

Homebrew pulls its software packages from GitHub repositories. You will need a GitHub account to use Homebrew.

To create a GitHub account:

  1. Go to https://github.com/ and click on the Sign up button.
  2. Select a plan and click on the Continue button.
  3. Fill in your personal information and click on the Create account button.
  4. Verify your email address.

Step 7: Configure Git

Git is a version control system used by Homebrew and GitHub. You will need to configure Git with your GitHub account information.

To configure Git:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “git config –global user.name “Your Name”” (replace “Your Name” with your GitHub username) and press Enter.
  2. Type in the command “git config –global user.email “[email protected]”” (replace “[email protected]” with your email address) and press Enter.

Step 8: Tap a Homebrew Repository

Homebrew taps are repositories that provide additional software packages not included in the core Homebrew repository. You can tap a Homebrew repository to search for and install software packages.

To tap a Homebrew repository:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “brew tap user/repository” (replace “user/repository” with the name of the repository you want to tap) and press Enter.

Step 9: Search for Software Packages

Homebrew provides a search feature that allows you to search for software packages by name or category.

To search for software packages:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “brew search package_name” (replace “package_name” with the name of the package you want to search for) and press Enter.

Step 10: Install Software Packages

Homebrew allows you to easily install software packages with a simple command.

To install software packages:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “brew install package_name” (replace “package_name” with the name of the package you want to install) and press Enter.

Step 11: Update and Upgrade Homebrew

Homebrew provides an update feature that allows you to update your installed software packages to the latest version.

To update Homebrew:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “brew update” and press Enter.
  2. To upgrade your installed software packages, type in the command “brew upgrade” and press Enter.

Step 12: Uninstall Homebrew

If you no longer need Homebrew, you can easily uninstall it with a simple command.

To uninstall Homebrew:

  1. Open Terminal and type in the command “/bin/bash -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/uninstall.sh)” ” and press Enter.
  2. Follow the instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

Explanation

We have explained the steps to install Homebrew on your Mac M1 in detail above. To summarize, you will need to disable SIP and install Rosetta before installing Homebrew. After installing Homebrew, you will need to add it to PATH and install Xcode Command Line Tools. You will also need to create a GitHub account, configure Git, tap a Homebrew repository, search for and install software packages, update and upgrade Homebrew, and uninstall Homebrew if necessary.

Tips and Tricks

1. Use “brew list” to view installed software packages.

The “brew list” command allows you to view a list of the software packages you have installed with Homebrew.

2. Use “brew info” to view information about software packages.

The “brew info” command allows you to view information about a specific software package, including its version, dependencies, and installation options.

3. Use “brew cask” to install GUI applications.

The “brew cask” command allows you to install GUI applications with Homebrew, such as web browsers, media players, and productivity tools.

4. Use “brew cleanup” to remove unused files.

The “brew cleanup” command allows you to remove unused files and free up disk space.

5. Use “brew search –desc” to search for packages by description.

The “brew search –desc” command allows you to search for software packages by their description, which can be helpful if you don’t know the exact name of the package you need.

6. Use “brew services” to manage background services.

The “brew services” command allows you to manage background services that Homebrew installs, such as databases and web servers.

7. Use “brew leaves” to view top-level software packages.

The “brew leaves” command allows you to view a list of the top-level software packages you have installed with Homebrew, which can be helpful for troubleshooting or maintenance purposes.

8. Use “brew pin” to prevent software packages from being upgraded.

The “brew pin” command allows you to prevent specific software packages from being upgraded automatically when you run “brew upgrade”.

9. Use “brew search –casks” to search for GUI applications.

The “brew search –casks” command allows you to search for GUI applications that can be installed with Homebrew.

10. Use “brew link –overwrite” to fix broken installations.

The “brew link –overwrite” command allows you to fix broken installations of software packages by overwriting any conflicting files.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing Homebrew on Mac M1

If you recently got the new Mac M1, you might be wondering how to install Homebrew on it. Homebrew is a package manager that allows you to install and manage software on your Mac, similar to apt-get or yum on Linux. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of installing Homebrew on Mac M1:

Advantages

  1. Easy to install: Homebrew can be easily installed on Mac M1 with a single command.
  2. Access to a wider range of software: With Homebrew, you can install a variety of software that may not be available on the official Apple App Store.
  3. Keeps software up-to-date: Homebrew keeps track of updates and can automatically update software when a new version is available.
  4. Customizable: Homebrew allows you to customize the installation of software and install specific versions of software if needed.
  5. Allows easy uninstallation: Homebrew makes uninstalling software a breeze, removing all dependencies and configuration files associated with the software.
  6. Open-source: Homebrew is an open-source software, which means it is constantly improved by developers worldwide.
  7. Can improve performance: Installing software via Homebrew can sometimes improve performance since the installation is optimized for the Mac M1 processor.
  8. Free: Homebrew is entirely free. No need to pay for commercial software.
  9. Community support: Homebrew has a vast community of users and developers that can help with any issues or questions you may have.
  10. Helps avoid security issues: Installing software from third-party sources can sometimes lead to security issues. Homebrew reduces the risk by downloading and installing software from trusted sources.

Disadvantages

  1. Complicated setup: Although one command installs Homebrew, setting it up properly and knowing how to use it can take some time.
  2. Potential instability: Some software installed via Homebrew may not be as stable as the official Apple App Store version.
  3. Possible compatibility issues: Installing software via Homebrew may result in compatibility issues with other software installed on your Mac M1.
  4. Dependency issues: Some software may depend on specific versions of other software libraries, which can cause issues when installing software via Homebrew.
  5. Updates can break software: Sometimes, updates to Homebrew or software installed via Homebrew can cause issues that need to be resolved.
  6. No graphical interface: Homebrew is a command-line tool, which can be intimidating for some users who prefer a graphical interface.
  7. Potential for security risks: Although Homebrew reduces the risk of security issues, installing software from third-party sources always carries some risk.
  8. Not all software available: Although Homebrew can install a vast range of software, not all software is available via Homebrew.
  9. May slow down your Mac: Installing many software packages via Homebrew may slow down your Mac M1 if you don’t have enough disk space or memory.
  10. Can be overwhelming: With so many software options available via Homebrew, it can be overwhelming to decide what software to install.

Installing Homebrew on your Mac M1 can offer significant benefits, such as access to a more extensive range of software and keeping your software up-to-date with ease. However, it also has its drawbacks, such as potential instability, dependency issues, and compatibility issues. Decide carefully whether installing Homebrew is the right choice for you and your needs.

FAQ

1. What is Homebrew?

Homebrew is a package manager that allows you to easily install and manage command-line tools and applications on your Mac.

2. Is Homebrew compatible with Mac M1?

Yes, Homebrew is compatible with Mac M1. But you need to install it using Rosetta 2 which can be done automatically when you install Homebrew.

3. How to check if Rosetta 2 is installed on my Mac M1?

You can open the Terminal app and type in the following command: softwareupdate --install-rosetta If Rosetta 2 is not installed, it will be automatically installed.

4. How to install Homebrew on Mac M1?

You can install Homebrew on Mac M1 by opening the Terminal app and running the following command: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

5. How to update Homebrew?

You can update Homebrew by running the following command in Terminal: brew update

6. How to install a package using Homebrew?

You can install a package using Homebrew by running the following command: brew install [package name]

7. How to uninstall a package using Homebrew?

You can uninstall a package using Homebrew by running the following command: brew uninstall [package name]

8. Can Homebrew install GUI applications?

No, Homebrew is only for managing command-line tools and applications. To install GUI applications, you can use other methods such as the App Store or downloading from the internet.

9. How to list installed packages using Homebrew?

You can list installed packages using the following command: brew list

10. How to search for a package using Homebrew?

You can search for a package using the following command: brew search [package name]

11. How to upgrade a package using Homebrew?

You can upgrade a package using the following command: brew upgrade [package name]

12. What if I encounter problems while using Homebrew?

You can try running the following command to diagnose and fix the problems: brew doctor. You can also check the Homebrew documentation for more information.

13. Is it safe to use Homebrew?

Yes, it is safe to use Homebrew. However, you should always be careful when installing packages from third-party sources. Make sure to only install packages from trusted sources.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Homebrew on your Mac M1 is a simple and straightforward process. With the steps outlined above, you can easily get Homebrew up and running on your Mac M1 in no time. Homebrew is a great package manager that can help you install a lot of useful software on your Mac M1, and it is a tool that every Mac user should have. With Homebrew, you can easily install and manage software on your Mac M1, and you will have access to a lot of useful packages that are not available in the App Store. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and install Homebrew on your Mac M1 today!

Closing

Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to install Homebrew on Mac M1. We hope that you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you. Until next time, happy brewing!