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# How to Install Sublime Text on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide
- URL: https://macfixly.com/install-sublime-text-mac/
- Published: 2026-10-26T03:40:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T03:40:00.000Z
- Description: This guide explains how to install Sublime Text on Mac using direct download or Homebrew, with tips for setup and troubleshooting.
- Author: Macuser
- Tags: Software Installation, Mac Tutorials, Text Editors, Productivity Tools

You’ve decided to try Sublime Text on your Mac but aren’t sure whether to download it directly or use Homebrew for installation. Both methods have their advantages, and choosing the right one depends on your preferences and workflow.

This guide covers how to install Sublime Text on Mac by comparing direct download and Homebrew installation processes. It clarifies differences between Sublime Text versions and provides practical tips for getting started quickly. You’ll also find troubleshooting advice tailored to common Mac-specific issues to ensure a smooth setup.

## Key takeaways

- Direct download is straightforward and lets you control the installation location.
- Homebrew simplifies updates and integrates well with other command-line tools.
- Sublime Text 4 offers enhanced features but works similarly to earlier versions.
- After installation, configuring key bindings and packages improves productivity.
- Common installation issues include permission errors and missing dependencies.

## Before you start: What you need to install Sublime Text on Mac

To ensure a smooth installation of Sublime Text on your Mac, you need to confirm several prerequisites first. Sublime Text requires macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, so check your system version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting **About This Mac**. If your macOS version is older, you will need to update it before proceeding.

An active internet connection is essential regardless of the installation method you choose. This allows you to download the Sublime Text installer or Homebrew package manager if you don't already have it installed.

If you plan to install Sublime Text using Homebrew, basic familiarity with the Terminal app is helpful. You will be entering commands, so knowing how to open Terminal and execute simple commands will make the process easier.

Finally, you need administrative access on your Mac to install applications. This means you must be able to enter an administrator username and password during installation when prompted.

1. Check your macOS version by clicking the Apple menu and selecting **About This Mac**. You should see a version number 10.13 or higher.
2. Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet. Open a browser and load a webpage to confirm connectivity.
3. Verify you have access to an administrator account by going to **System Preferences > Users & Groups**. An administrator account will have “Admin” listed under the username.
4. If using Homebrew, open the Terminal app by navigating to **Applications > Utilities > Terminal**. You should see a command prompt ready to accept input.

## How to install Sublime Text on macOS via direct download

1. Open your web browser and go to the official Sublime Text download page at [https://www.sublimetext.com/download](https://www.sublimetext.com/download?ref=macfixly.com). You will see download options for different operating systems.
2. Locate the macOS section on the page. Confirm the version matches your macOS architecture (Intel or Apple Silicon). Most Macs today use Apple Silicon, but if unsure, check your Mac’s “About This Mac” details.
3. Click the link to download the **macOS.dmg** installer file. The download progress will appear in your browser’s download bar or folder.
4. Once the DMG file finishes downloading, open it by double-clicking. This will mount a virtual drive and open a window showing the Sublime Text application icon.
5. Drag the Sublime Text icon into the **Applications** folder shortcut shown in the same window. This copies the app to your system’s Applications directory.
6. After copying completes, eject the mounted DMG by clicking the eject button next to it in Finder’s sidebar or right-clicking its icon and selecting Eject.
7. Open the Applications folder and double-click **Sublime Text** to launch it. On first launch, macOS may prompt for confirmation since the app was downloaded from the internet; choose to open it.
8. Sublime Text will start with a welcome screen and a brief overview of features. You can now begin creating or opening files. Consider setting up preferences under the “Sublime Text” menu > “Preferences” for a tailored experience.

## How to install Sublime Text on Mac using Homebrew

Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS that simplifies the installation and management of software through the command line. Developers often prefer it because it handles dependencies and updates automatically, making software maintenance more streamlined.

![How to install Sublime Text on Mac using Homebrew – how to install Sublime Text on Mac](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/install-sublime-text-mac-2.webp)

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in Applications > Utilities.
2. Check if Homebrew is installed by typing **brew --version** and pressing Enter. If installed, you will see a version number like *Homebrew 4.0.0*. If you get a "command not found" message, install Homebrew by entering:  
  
**/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"**  
    
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Once Homebrew is ready, install Sublime Text by typing:  
  
**brew install --cask sublime-text**  
    
Press Enter. Homebrew will download and install Sublime Text, showing progress and completion messages.
4. Verify the installation by typing **open -a "Sublime Text"**. This command should launch the application without errors.

Using Homebrew typically takes less manual effort than downloading the DMG file and manually moving the app. Installation via Homebrew is often quicker and integrates well with automated update processes using **brew upgrade --cask sublime-text**. However, Homebrew depends on command-line familiarity and may not suit users who prefer graphical installers.

In comparison, direct downloads provide a standalone installer and may offer more control during installation, but updating requires manually downloading newer versions. Homebrew streamlines updates by handling them through simple commands.

## How to install Sublime Text 4 on Mac

Sublime Text 4 is the latest major release of the popular text editor, succeeding Sublime Text 3 with enhanced performance and new features. Confirming the version is simple: the application’s About menu displays the version number, which should begin with "4". Sublime Text 4 introduces improvements like GPU rendering and updated syntax highlighting, but its installation process remains similar to previous versions.

Licensing for Sublime Text 4 follows the same model as Sublime Text 3\. A license purchased for version 3 may not cover version 4, though some users benefit from upgrade discounts offered by the vendor. Always verify your license status on the official Sublime Text website.

1. Visit the official Sublime Text download page at [https://www.sublimetext.com/download](https://www.sublimetext.com/download?ref=macfixly.com). You should see Sublime Text 4 as the current version available for macOS.
  - Successful access shows a macOS DMG file labeled with version 4.x.
2. Download the macOS DMG installer for Sublime Text 4.
  - The DMG file appears in your Downloads folder once completed.
3. Open the DMG file to mount the installer volume, then drag the Sublime Text app icon to your Applications folder.
  - The application copies to your Mac’s Applications directory.
4. Launch Sublime Text 4 from Applications or Spotlight search.
  - The editor opens and the About menu confirms version 4 is running.
5. If you have Sublime Text 3 installed, uninstalling it is optional but recommended to avoid confusion.
  - Removing the older version ensures you are working solely with the latest release.
6. For license activation, enter your Sublime Text 4 license key under the Help menu.
  - The editor confirms registration and removes evaluation warnings.

This approach ensures you are using the most current Sublime Text version with all its improvements while managing licenses effectively. Upgrading from Sublime Text 3 involves downloading the new installer and optionally removing the old version, as there is no automatic upgrade path.

## How to use Sublime Text after installation

Once installed, launch Sublime Text from your Applications folder or Dock. The main window displays a clean interface with a menu bar at the top, a sidebar on the left (initially empty), and a central editing pane.

1. Open Sublime Text. You should see a blank untitled tab ready for editing.
2. Install Package Control by opening the Command Palette (**Cmd+Shift+P**), typing *Install Package Control*, and pressing Enter. A confirmation message appears once installed.
3. Use Package Control to add useful plugins. Open the Command Palette again, select *Package Control: Install Package*, and browse or search for packages like *Emmet* or *GitGutter*.
4. Customize the theme and preferences via *Sublime Text > Preferences > Theme* or *Preferences > Settings*. For example, switch between *Adaptive* and *Default* themes or adjust font size and line spacing.
5. Familiarize yourself with basic editing shortcuts: **Cmd+N** for new file, **Cmd+O** to open files, **Cmd+S** to save, **Cmd+P** to quickly open files by name, and **Cmd+Shift+F** to search across folders.
6. To work on a project, open a folder via *File > Open Folder*. The folder’s directory appears in the sidebar, allowing easy navigation and multi-file editing.

With these steps, you set up Sublime Text’s environment tailored to your workflow while understanding its core UI elements and commands.

## How to install Sublime Text on Ubuntu (brief comparison)

If you use both Mac and Ubuntu, understanding Sublime Text installation on Ubuntu can help maintain a consistent workflow across systems. Unlike macOS, where you often use a DMG installer or Homebrew, Ubuntu installation typically involves the official apt repository or a downloaded.deb package.

![How to install Sublime Text on Ubuntu (brief comparison) – how to install Sublime Text on Mac](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/install-sublime-text-mac-3.webp)

1. **Add the GPG key:** Run *wget -qO - https://download.sublimetext.com/sublimehq-pub.gpg | sudo apt-key add -*. You should see no error messages, confirming the key is added.
2. **Ensure apt supports HTTPS:** Install the transport package with *sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https*. It will confirm if already installed or install it.
3. **Add the Sublime Text repository:** Choose stable or dev channel:
  - Stable: *echo "deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/stable/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list*
  - Dev: *echo "deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/dev/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list*
4. **Update apt sources:** Execute *sudo apt-get update*. This fetches package lists including Sublime Text.
5. **Install Sublime Text:** Run *sudo apt-get install sublime-text*. The editor should install and be available in your applications menu.

An alternative is downloading the official *.deb* package from Sublime Text's website and installing it with *sudo dpkg -i sublime-text\_build-\*.deb*, followed by *sudo apt-get -f install* to fix dependencies.

**Key differences compared to Mac:**

- Ubuntu relies heavily on apt repositories and package managers, while Mac supports both GUI installers and Homebrew.
- Ubuntu installations require adding a repository and GPG keys, a step not needed on Mac.
- Updating Sublime Text on Ubuntu is managed via apt, unlike manual upgrades sometimes needed on Mac.

**Cross-platform considerations:** If you work on both systems, using package managers (Homebrew on Mac, apt on Ubuntu) streamlines updates and consistency. Configuration files and plugins are compatible, allowing a similar user experience across platforms.

## Troubleshooting common issues when installing Sublime Text on Mac

If Sublime Text won’t open after installation, check your Mac’s security settings. Go to **System Settings > Privacy & Security** and look under *Allow apps downloaded from*. If you see a message about blocking Sublime Text, click **Open Anyway** to bypass Gatekeeper restrictions.

For Homebrew installation errors, first ensure Homebrew itself is up to date by running **brew update** in Terminal. Then, try reinstalling Sublime Text with **brew install --cask sublime-text**. If you encounter permission errors, run **brew doctor** to identify issues and follow suggested fixes.

Permission problems during installation often arise if you lack administrator privileges. Try running commands with **sudo**, for example **sudo brew install --cask sublime-text**, but be cautious with elevated rights. Also, verify that your user account has write access to `/Applications` or the chosen install directory.

If Sublime Text crashes or behaves unexpectedly after installation, clear the cache and settings by deleting the `~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text` folder. Relaunch the app to generate fresh configuration files. Also, disable any third-party packages temporarily to isolate the cause.

1. Open **System Settings > Privacy & Security**, locate Gatekeeper alerts, and click **Open Anyway**. You should be able to launch Sublime Text without warnings.
2. In Terminal, run **brew update** followed by **brew install --cask sublime-text**. Confirm Sublime Text installs without error messages.
3. If permissions errors occur, run **brew doctor** and follow recommendations to fix issues. Retry installation until successful.
4. To fix crashes, delete the folder `~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text` and reopen the app. Sublime Text should start cleanly without unexpected behavior.

## More on this topic

- [How to Install Emacs on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/install-emacs-mac/)
- [How to Install Neovim on Mac: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/install-neovim-mac/)
- [How to Install Perl Modules on Mac: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/install-perl-modules-mac/)
- [How to Install Lua on Mac: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide](https://macfixly.com/install-lua-mac/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How to install sublime text in mac using brew?

To install Sublime Text on Mac using Homebrew, open the Terminal and enter **brew install --cask sublime-text**. This command downloads and installs the latest stable version of Sublime Text automatically. Make sure you have Homebrew installed beforehand, and note that this method handles updates through Homebrew.

### How to install sublime text in mac?

You can install Sublime Text on Mac either by downloading the installer directly from the official website or by using Homebrew. The direct download involves downloading a.dmg file, opening it, and dragging the app to your Applications folder. Both methods result in the same application, but Homebrew adds the convenience of command-line management.

### How to download sublime text on mac?

Visit the official Sublime Text website and click the download button for macOS. Once the.dmg file is downloaded, open it and drag the Sublime Text icon into your Applications folder to complete the installation. This process requires no additional tools and works on any Mac with a compatible macOS version.

### Is Sublime Text free for Mac?

Sublime Text offers an unlimited free evaluation period, allowing you to use most features without time restrictions. However, occasional prompts encourage purchasing a license to support development. Buying a license unlocks full access and removes these reminders, but the editor remains fully functional during evaluation.

### Can I install Sublime Text on Mac using brew?

Yes, you can install Sublime Text on Mac using Homebrew with the command **brew install --cask sublime-text**. This method is straightforward and integrates well if you already manage software via Homebrew. It also makes updating or uninstalling Sublime Text easier through Homebrew commands.

## What this guide does not cover and who should look elsewhere

This guide does not cover advanced customization or plugin development within Sublime Text, which requires separate tutorials tailored to user needs. If you are looking to create complex build systems, develop custom packages, or integrate Sublime Text deeply with other development tools, consider consulting dedicated resources or official documentation focused on those topics.

Now that Sublime Text is installed, the most useful next step is to familiarize yourself with its core features. Start by exploring the Command Palette (accessed via **Tools > Command Palette** or *Shift + Command + P*) and learn how to efficiently navigate files and symbols with *Command + P*. This will help you leverage Sublime Text’s speed and flexibility for your coding tasks.