> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/unigetui/guides/understand/macos-and-linux.md).

# UniGetUI on macOS and Linux

What UniGetUI can do on a Mac or a Linux computer, which package managers it uses there, and which features remain Windows-only.

UniGetUI started on Windows, and it now also runs on macOS and Linux. The idea is the same everywhere: one window to search, install, update and remove apps from the package managers on your computer. What changes is which package managers you get, and a few Windows-specific features.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The macOS and Linux versions are newer than the Windows version and still maturing. Expect rough edges, and check the [release notes](/unigetui/reference/release-notes.md) for fixes.
{% endhint %}

## Install it

<table><thead><tr><th width="250">PLATFORM</th><th>DOWNLOAD</th><th>REQUIREMENTS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>macOS</td><td><code>.dmg</code> (or a portable <code>.tar.gz</code>) for Apple silicon or Intel</td><td>macOS 12 or later</td></tr><tr><td>Linux</td><td><code>.deb</code> (Debian, Ubuntu), <code>.rpm</code> (Fedora, RHEL) or <code>.tar.gz</code> (any distribution), for x64 or arm64</td><td>glibc 2.27 or later</td></tr></tbody></table>

Downloads are on the [latest GitHub release](https://github.com/Devolutions/UniGetUI/releases/latest). Step-by-step instructions are in [Install UniGetUI](/unigetui/reference/installation.md).

## Which package managers you get

<table><thead><tr><th width="250">ON MACOS</th><th>ON LINUX</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Homebrew (formulae and casks)</td><td>Your distribution's manager: APT, DNF or Pacman</td></tr><tr><td>npm, Bun, pip, Cargo, .NET Tool, vcpkg</td><td>Snap and Flatpak</td></tr><tr><td>PowerShell 7.x</td><td>Homebrew (formulae only)</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>npm, Bun, pip, Cargo, .NET Tool, vcpkg, PowerShell 7.x</td></tr></tbody></table>

On Linux, UniGetUI reads your distribution's details to load the right managers. Unlike on Windows and macOS, these managers also handle **system packages**, so UniGetUI can show and install operating system updates too.

Details and requirements: [Supported package managers](/unigetui/reference/package-managers.md).

## What works the same

Everything at the heart of UniGetUI works on every platform:

* [Updating your apps](/unigetui/guides/updates/update-all.md), [automatic updates](/unigetui/guides/updates/automatic-updates.md), [schedules](/unigetui/guides/updates/schedule.md) and [holding a version](/unigetui/guides/updates/hold-a-version.md).
* [Finding and installing apps](/unigetui/guides/install/find-and-install.md), with [custom options](/unigetui/guides/install/custom-options.md).
* [Bundles](/unigetui/guides/new-computer/create-a-bundle.md) and [local and cloud backups](/unigetui/guides/new-computer/backup.md). A bundle made on one platform only installs the packages whose manager exists on the other.
* [Package sources](/unigetui/guides/install/manage-sources.md), the theme, the language and the [command-line interface](/unigetui/reference/cli.md).

## What's different

### Administrator rights

On Windows, UniGetUI handles administrator rights itself: UAC prompts, ***Install as administrator***, ***Run as admin*** in the installation options, and the elevation settings.

On Linux, operations that need root, such as APT or DNF installs, ask for your password through your desktop:

* If `sudo` and a graphical password prompt are available (your desktop's own, or `zenity` on GNOME), you're asked once and `sudo` remembers it for a while.
* Otherwise UniGetUI uses `pkexec`, which asks for your password **for every operation**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Tired of password prompts on GNOME? Install `zenity` so UniGetUI can use `sudo` and ask only once.
{% endhint %}

### Closing the window

On macOS, closing the window always keeps UniGetUI running, like most Mac apps. Use ***Quit*** in its menu bar icon menu, or ***Quit UniGetUI*** in the ***More*** menu, to close it completely.

On Linux, it works like Windows: ***Close UniGetUI to the system tray*** decides whether UniGetUI keeps running. Some desktops, such as GNOME without an extension, don't show tray icons.

### Notifications

macOS gets the same notification types as Windows. On Linux, UniGetUI shows its messages inside the window only.

## Windows-only features

<table><thead><tr><th width="250">FEATURE</th><th>WHY</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey and PowerShell 5.x</td><td>They only exist on Windows.</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Install as administrator</strong></em>, <em><strong>Update as administrator</strong></em>, <em><strong>Uninstall as administrator</strong></em>, <em><strong>Run as admin</strong></em></td><td>Linux and macOS use their own password prompts instead.</td></tr><tr><td>Elevation settings (<em><strong>Ask only once for administrator privileges</strong></em>, GSudo, <em><strong>Prohibit any kind of Elevation via UniGetUI Elevator or GSudo</strong></em>)</td><td>Tied to UAC.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/unigetui/for-it-teams/organization/devolutions-agent.md">Devolutions Agent</a> broker and policies</td><td>The agent runs on Windows.</td></tr><tr><td>Protected <a href="/unigetui/for-it-teams/organization/restrict-settings.md">secure settings</a></td><td>On macOS and Linux, secure settings are stored in your own data folder and don't require an administrator. Don't rely on them as a security boundary.</td></tr><tr><td>Start Menu shortcut management</td><td>Start Menu is a Windows feature.</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Manage UniGetUI autostart behaviour</strong></em></td><td>Use your system's login items or autostart settings instead.</td></tr><tr><td><em><strong>Use the font configured in Windows instead of the default interface font</strong></em> and software rendering</td><td>Windows display settings.</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Store distribution, silent installer switches</td><td>Windows installers only. See <a href="/unigetui/for-it-teams/organization/deploy.md">Deploy UniGetUI silently</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## If it doesn't work

* **A manager shows \_**&#x4E;ot foun&#x64;**\_.** Install it with your system's tools first, then reload. See [Supported package managers](/unigetui/reference/package-managers.md).
* **An operation fails on Linux right after the password prompt.** Check that your user can use `sudo`, or that polkit is set up for `pkexec`.
* **Something else fails.** See [An update or installation fails](/unigetui/help/troubleshooting/update-or-install-fails.md), and [send your logs](/unigetui/help/troubleshooting/send-logs-to-support.md) when you report it.

## Next

* [Quick start](/unigetui/quick-start.md)
* [How UniGetUI works](/unigetui/guides/understand/how-it-works.md)


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