How to Download, Install and Use PuTTY for Mac

If you are confused about how to download, install and use PuTTY for Mac, then keep reading this simple guide and know the best ways to do that with ease. 

PuTTY is commonly used as a Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet program. The tool is still free to use for all. Additionally, as the platform is open-sourced, anyone can modify the structure of the platform to get the best out of it. Although the product was first introduced for Windows PCs and desktops only, the program has recently gone cross-platformed. Now, you can get PuTTY for Mac as well.

The process to download and install PuTTY for Mac is quite different from that on Windows. Hence, if you wish to get the program and use it on Mac, follow the complete guide precisely for the best and desired results.

Steps to Download and Install PuTTY for Mac with Ease

The complete procedure to download and install PuTTY for Mac is a little complicated and hard to follow all at once. Hence, we have divided the complete procedure into different sections for your ease. Follow all the sections and steps provided below and use PuTTY for Mac after downloading quite easily.

Step 1: Provide Administrator Privileges to Mac

The first thing you need to do before even progressing with how to use PuTTY for Mac is to turn on Administrative Privileges on your Mac. To active the privileges, you can follow the steps shown below:

1. Click on the Apple logo on the top left corner of your Mac.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Select Users & Groups from the menu.
4. Hit the icon of lock to unlock further settings. Provide the administrator credentials as and if prompted.
5. Select any of the users from the list and check the box of Allow users to administer this computer.
6. Now close the window.

This is how you get the administrator privileges on Mac with ease. Follow the further step to proceed with PuTTY usage

Also Read: How to Completely Uninstall Apps on macOS

Step 2: Download and Install the XCode Support

Nextly, to proceed with the procedure to download PuTTY for Mac, you need to install XCode first. You can take the help of the Apple App Store for this task. Follow the below steps to know how to use the Apple Store for XCode:

1. Launch the Apple App Store to search for XCode.
2. When the search results appear on the app, Click on get and install the app.

Step 3: Download and Install XCode Command Line Tools

Now that XCode is downloaded and installed on your PC it’s time to install the Command Line Tools for XCode. Only after downloading these tools can you proceed with the process to install PuTTY for Mac. Follow the instructions shown below for the same:

1. Visit the official website of the Apple developer and Download XCode Command Line Tools.
2. Once the download completes, launch the file to install.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions that appear to install the package. However, if the installer asks you for the device’s administrative credentials, provide the same.
4. When the installation process completes, close the installer.
5. Nextly, click on the Finder menu beside the Apple logo on the Mac. Click on Utilities under the Go menu.
6. Launch the Terminal tool to proceed.
7. Type the command provided below and press the Enter key.
   sudo xcodebuild -license
8. Now, the tool will run for a bit and then ask you to have a look at the license for Xcode. Press the Enter key, input agree, and hit Enter again.

Till now, the first half of the job to download and use PuTTY for Mac is complete. Now, we will have a look at the rest below.

Step 4: Get MacPorts for your Mac

The further step to proceed with the download PuTTY for Mac and install procedure is to get the MacPorts app for your Mac. For this, you can take the help of the official website of MacPorts and download the tool. The below instructions will help you further:

1. Visit the Official Website of MacPorts to download the tool.
2. From the list of available downloads, click on the one that names your system version.
3. After the download completes, double-click to install the tool. Proceed to enter your administrative credentials if the system prompts you to.
4. Close the installer after the scanning stops and select the option named Move to Trash. Keep your installer if you wish.
5. Nextly, click on the Finder menu beside the Apple logo on the Mac. Click on Utilities under the Go menu.
6. Launch the Terminal tool to proceed.
7. Type the command provided below and press the Enter key.
   sudo port -v selfupdate
8. If the system asks for administrative credentials, provide the same and log in.

Also Read: Hidden Features Of MacBook You Should Know

Step 5: Get the XQuartz App and Install PuTTY for Mac

To proceed with the PuTTY usage procedure, download and install the XQuartz app on the Mac. Download the tool using the official website of the manufacturer. Follow the below steps to know more:

1. Visit the Official Website of XQuartz and download the tool.
2. Run the installer and install the tool.
3. Provide the administrator credentials as and if prompted.
4. Close the installer after the scanning stops and select the option named Move to Trash. Keep your installer if you wish.
5. Now the software will ask for control over System Events. Select Ok to allow the same.
6. If you see a pop-up stating the changes required for the default X11 server, click on Ok to proceed.
7. After the whole installation process is complete, close the installer. Select the option named Move to Trash. Keep your installer if you wish.

if you wish to download PuTTY for Mac, keep on moving to the last step.

Step 6: Download and Install PuTTY for Mac

Lastly, now that you have taken care of other system requirements. You can now proceed to download PuTTY for Mac. For this, you need to follow the steps provided below for ease of installation:

1. Click on the Finder menu beside the Apple logo on the Mac. Click on Utilities under the Go menu.
2. Launch the Terminal tool to proceed.
3. Type the command provided below and press the Enter key.
   sudo port install PuTTY
4. Wait for the process to complete. At last, the tool will ask whether you want to continue or not. Type y and press Enter.

Now the system will automatically install PuTTY for Mac for you. If you are wondering now how to use PuTTY for Mac, then you can take the help of the next section.

How to Use PuTTY for Mac?

Now that you have completed the process to download and install the tool, it’s time to use it. To use PuTTY on Mac, you need to follow the steps provided below:

1. Click on the Finder menu beside the Apple logo on the Mac. Click on Utilities under the Go menu.
2. Launch the Terminal tool to proceed.
3. Type either of the commands provided below and press the Enter key to run PuTTY.
   cp /opt/local/bin/PuTTY ~/Desktop/PuTTY
   Note: This common will add a desktop shortcut to the PuTTY app for you and you can use the same anytime as required to run the tool.
   OR
4. Enter PuTTY, a command, and run the same.
5. Now, after the app runs, you can modify the settings as required to customize the app as you want. You can even change the network settings as required for ease.

Also Read: Must-Have Apps and Software for Mac of All Time

How to Download and Use PuTTY for Mac: Explained

So, above were some easy steps to help you download and install PuTTY for Mac with ease. We hope that these steps will help you with PuTTY usage and installation as required. If you face any type of problem while executing the steps, feel free to seek assistance from us using the comments section below. We will help you in every way possible.

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