Get Zoom on your Mac in three steps
Download Zoom directly from Zoom's website, run the installer, and drag the Zoom app into your Applications folder. The whole process takes about five minutes and works the same way on any Mac running macOS 10.9 or newer. You do not need to create an account to download — you can do that later if you want to host meetings.
Zoom is free to download and use for joining meetings. The app is small enough that most Macs will have it installed and ready to use within minutes of clicking the download button.
Key Takeaways
- Go to zoom.us/download/client on your Mac's web browser and click the blue Download button under "Zoom Client for Meetings".
- Open the downloaded file (usually in your Downloads folder) and drag the Zoom icon into the Applications folder when the installer window opens.
- Launch Zoom from Applications or Spotlight search, and you can join a meeting immediately without signing up first.
- If Zoom does not open, your Mac may need security permission — go to System Settings, Privacy & Security, and allow Zoom to run.
Step-by-step download and installation
Open any web browser on your Mac and go to zoom.us/download/client. You will see a page with a large blue button labeled "Download" under the heading "Zoom Client for Meetings". Click that button. The file will download to your Downloads folder (usually in about 30 seconds on a normal internet connection).
Once the download finishes, your browser may open the installer automatically, or you may need to click the file in your Downloads folder. Either way, you will see a window with the Zoom icon on the left and an Applications folder icon on the right, with an arrow between them. Drag the Zoom icon to the Applications folder. When the copy finishes, close the installer window.
Open your Applications folder (you can do this by pressing Command + Shift + A on your keyboard, or by clicking the Finder icon in your dock, then clicking Applications in the sidebar). Find Zoom in the list and double-click it to launch the app. Zoom will open and show you options to join a meeting or sign in.
What to do if Zoom will not open
On newer Macs, you may see a message saying "Zoom cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software." This is a security feature, not a problem with Zoom. Close that message and go to System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or in the Apple menu).
Click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar, then scroll down to find "Zoom" in the list under "Security". You will see a message saying Zoom was blocked, with an "Allow" button next to it. Click Allow. Go back to your Applications folder and double-click Zoom again — it will now open normally. This permission only needs to be granted once.
Joining a meeting without signing up
You do not need a Zoom account to join a meeting. When Zoom opens, click "Join a Meeting" and enter the meeting ID (a number your host sent you). Type your name and click "Join". You will enter the meeting as a guest.
If you want to host your own meetings later, you will need to create an account. You can do this inside the Zoom app by clicking "Sign Up Free" on the launch screen, or by going to zoom.us/signup on your web browser. Creating an account takes about two minutes and requires only an email address and password.
Checking your Mac version and system requirements
Zoom works on any Mac running macOS 10.9 or newer. To check your Mac's version, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "About This Mac". Look for the line that says "macOS" followed by a version number (like Sonoma, Ventura, or Monterey).
If your Mac is older than macOS 10.9, you cannot install the current version of Zoom. Zoom's website has older versions for older operating systems, but these are no longer updated with security fixes. If you have an older Mac, consider upgrading your operating system if possible, or contact your meeting host to ask if they can send you a meeting link instead of just the ID number.
Uninstalling Zoom if you no longer need it
Open your Applications folder, find Zoom, and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash by right-clicking it in your dock and selecting "Empty Trash". This removes the app itself, but not your account or settings if you created one.
If you want to remove all traces of Zoom from your Mac, you can also delete the folder at ~/Library/Preferences/us.zoom.config and ~/Library/Caches/us.zoom.xmpp. These folders hold your saved settings and login information. To access the Library folder, open Finder, press Command + Shift + Period (full stop), and the Library folder will appear in your home directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for Zoom to download it?
No. The Zoom app itself is free to download and install. You can join meetings for free with no time limit. If you want to host your own meetings with more than three people, Zoom offers a paid plan, but downloading and joining meetings costs nothing.
Can I download Zoom on an older Mac?
Zoom requires macOS 10.9 or newer. If your Mac is older, check your system version first (Apple menu > About This Mac). Zoom's website has older versions for older operating systems, but they no longer receive security updates.
Where does Zoom save my files after I download it?
The Zoom app itself lives in your Applications folder. Recordings and files you download during meetings go to your Downloads folder by default, but you can change this in Zoom's settings (open Zoom, click your profile picture, select Settings, then Recording).
Why does my Mac say Zoom is damaged when I try to open it?
This usually means your Mac's security settings are blocking Zoom. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to find Zoom in the list, and click Allow. This tells your Mac that Zoom is safe to run.