Mac requirements for OpenClaw
- Mac app
- macOS 15 Sequoia or later
- Voice
- macOS 26 or later
- Command line only
- Older macOS works with Node.js 24.16+ or 26.1+ (the installer sets it up)
- Processor
- Apple silicon (M-series) or Intel. The app is a universal binary.
- AI model
- An API key, or a local model. Apple silicon Macs run local models well.
- iMessage
- Messages signed in to your Apple Account on this Mac
Not sure which macOS you have? Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
Install the OpenClaw Mac app
- Download the app from the official releases. Look for
OpenClaw-<version>.dmgor.zip. Latest macOS release as of September 29, 2026. Only download fromgithub.com/openclaw/openclaw. - Move it to Applications. Open the .dmg and drag OpenClaw into Applications, or unzip the .zip and move
OpenClaw.appthere. - Open OpenClaw. If macOS shows a security warning, confirm the file came from the official OpenClaw GitHub before you continue.
- Choose where the gateway runs. Pick This Mac to run OpenClaw locally. Pick Remote to connect to one on a VPS or another Mac.
- Connect an AI model and finish onboarding in the dashboard.
- Grant permissions when macOS asks. See the permissions table for what each one is for.
Press ⌥ Option + Space from any app to ask OpenClaw something without leaving what you're doing. Settings live in Dashboard › Settings › This Mac.
Install from Terminal
- Open Terminal. Press ⌘ + Space, type "Terminal" and press Return.
- Run the official installer:
Terminal
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash - Complete onboarding. The wizard asks for your model provider, API key and first chat app. If you skipped it:
Terminal
openclaw onboard --install-daemon - Open the Control UI at
http://127.0.0.1:18789and say hello.
Already use Node.js? Install with npm instead
npm install -g openclaw@latest --allow-scripts=openclaw
openclaw onboard --install-daemonWhich macOS permissions OpenClaw needs
macOS asks before any app can read your messages, control other apps or use the camera. Only grant what the features you use need. You can change these at any time in System Settings › Privacy & Security.
| Permission | Needed for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Full Disk Access | Reading your Messages database for iMessage | iMessage only |
| Automation | Sending iMessages and controlling Messages through AppleScript | iMessage only |
| Notifications | Alerts, reminders and approval prompts | Recommended |
| Microphone | Voice input and Talk mode | Optional |
| Screen Recording, Camera | Screenshots and photos when you ask for them | Optional |
Grant permissions to the process that runs the gateway. If you use the app, that's OpenClaw. If you installed from Terminal, grant them to Terminal or the openclaw process macOS names in the prompt.
Set up iMessage with OpenClaw
OpenClaw talks to Messages through a small helper tool called imsg. The older BlueBubbles integration has been removed.
- Sign in to Messages on this Mac with the Apple Account you want OpenClaw to use.
- Install
imsg. OpenClaw's setup can offer to install or update it with Homebrew for you. Install it as the same macOS user that runs the gateway. - Grant Full Disk Access and Automation to the gateway when asked.
- Turn on private API mode for the full experience. Replies, tapbacks, effects, polls and group actions need it, and it's enabled with
imsg launch.
Full walkthrough: iMessage integration guide. Running OpenClaw on a VPS? You can point it at imsg on your Mac through an SSH wrapper.
Check the gateway on your Mac
On macOS the gateway runs as a per-user launchd service labeled ai.openclaw.gateway, defined in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.gateway.plist. Check it with:
openclaw --version
openclaw gateway status --deep
openclaw doctorlaunchd keeps the gateway alive in the background, so scheduled jobs keep running. To pause it, turn off the OpenClaw Active toggle in the app, or run openclaw gateway stop.
Next, build your first automation with our first workflow tutorial.
Turn a Mac mini into an always-on assistant
A Mac mini is a popular OpenClaw server. It's quiet, uses little power, runs local models well on Apple silicon, and is the only way to get iMessage around the clock. To keep it working:
In System Settings › Energy, turn on Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off.
In the same place, turn on Start up automatically after a power failure.
Keep the gateway on loopback and connect with an SSH tunnel or Tailscale, just like a VPS.
Running local models? See local models with OpenClaw.
Fix common Mac install problems
"OpenClaw" can't be openedMake sure you're on macOS 15 or later and the app came from the official GitHub releases. Delete any copy from another site and download it again.
zsh: command not found: openclawOpen a new Terminal window so it picks up your updated PATH. If it still fails, run the installer again and read its final message.
iMessage isn't workingCheck Messages is signed in, then confirm Full Disk Access and Automation in Privacy & Security. Make sure imsg is installed as the same user as the gateway.
Two gateways or port 18789 in useIf a gateway is already running, the app attaches to it instead of starting another. Run openclaw gateway status --deep to see which one is active.
Scheduled jobs didn't runYour Mac was probably asleep. Change the Energy settings above, or move always-on jobs to a VPS.
Voice button missingVoice features need macOS 26 or later.
More fixes: troubleshooting guide.
Update or uninstall OpenClaw on Mac
Update
App: Dashboard › Settings › Updates › This Mac. Command line:
openclaw updateUninstall
Run the uninstaller, then drag OpenClaw from Applications to the Trash.
openclaw uninstallBack up ~/.openclaw first. See the update and backup guide.
OpenClaw on Mac: questions
What macOS version does OpenClaw need?
The OpenClaw Mac app needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later, and voice features need macOS 26 or later. The command-line version can run on older macOS with a supported Node.js version.
Does OpenClaw work on Apple silicon and Intel Macs?
Yes. The Mac app is a universal binary that runs natively on both Apple silicon (M-series) and Intel Macs.
Can OpenClaw use iMessage?
Yes, but only on a Mac signed in to Messages. OpenClaw uses the imsg tool and needs Full Disk Access and Automation permissions. Private API mode adds replies, tapbacks and group actions.
Does OpenClaw keep running when I quit the app?
Yes. The gateway runs as a launchd service, so it keeps running after you quit the app. Turn off the OpenClaw Active toggle or run openclaw gateway stop to pause it.
Is a Mac mini good for running OpenClaw?
Yes. A Mac mini is quiet, efficient and always on, runs local models well on Apple silicon, and is the only way to use iMessage around the clock. Turn off automatic sleep so scheduled jobs run.
Can I install OpenClaw with Homebrew?
Use the official Mac app, the curl installer or npm. OpenClaw's setup may use Homebrew to install the imsg helper for iMessage.