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App 4,428 installs/mo

GitHub Desktop for Mac

Desktop client for GitHub repositories

Quick answer: GitHub Desktop is a utility for macOS. Install it with brew install --cask github. The licence is not declared in Homebrew metadata. It has 4,428 Homebrew installs in the last 30 days.

What GitHub Desktop is

GitHub Desktop is a utility for macOS: desktop client for GitHub repositories.

It is distributed as a Homebrew cask, which installs a .app bundle into your Applications folder. Homebrew only automates the download and install step; the licence terms come from the vendor.

How to install GitHub Desktop

  1. Open Terminal (press ⌘ + Space and type “Terminal”).
  2. If Homebrew is not installed yet, run the installer below once.
  3. Run brew install --cask github.

Homebrew installer, if you need it:

Prefer a graphical installer? Download it from the official site. MacPicks never hosts or mirrors binaries — the Homebrew command always pulls from the vendor's own release.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I install GitHub Desktop on Mac?

Run brew install --cask github in Terminal. This requires Homebrew; if you do not have it, install it first with the command below.

Is GitHub Desktop open source?

Homebrew's metadata does not declare a licence for this app, so the official site is the authoritative source.

Does GitHub Desktop run on Apple silicon?

Yes, as a universal binary.

How popular is GitHub Desktop?

It was installed 4,428 times in the last 30 days according to Homebrew analytics, ranking #365 in this catalogue.

What version of GitHub Desktop is current?

The latest packaged version is 3.6.9-e0ba6bb8.