XAMPP for MacOS
This is free software that works on different operating systems, including macOS. You can quickly create a local server to build and test web applications. It has an easy-to-use control panel to manage things like Apache and MySQL, and it also lets you use phpMyAdmin to handle databases. It is popular with developers because it’s simple and convenient for creating a local development environment.

Feature of XAMPP for MacOS
Easy to install with a simple setup process.
Comes with everything you need like Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl.
The Control Panel makes it easy to start/stop Apache and MySQL.
Includes PHPMyAdmin to manage your MySQL databases via a web interface.
Offers security options like passwords and SSL configuration.
You can adjust the settings for Apache, PHP, and MySQL to fit your needs.
- Lets you switch between different PHP versions easily.
- Ideal for local development and testing without needing a live server.
- Provides log files and error messages to help with debugging.
- Integrates smoothly with macOS, including Finder and system preferences.
- Available in multiple languages, making it accessible to users worldwide.
Configuring XAMPP for MacOS: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Download XAMPP for macOS from the website.
- Install it by dragging it into the Applications folder.
- Open XAMPP from your Applications folder.
- Start Apache and MySQL by clicking the “Start” buttons in the XAMPP Control Panel.
- Open a browser and go to http://localhost to test if it’s working.
- Change the Apache port by editing the httpd.conf file.
- Adjust PHP settings by editing the php.ini file.
- Add your web files to the htdocs folder inside the XAMPP directory.
- When you’re done, stop Apache and MySQL by clicking “Stop” in the XAMPP Control Panel.
Managing XAMPP Services on MacOS
- Open the XAMPP Control Panel from your Applications folder.
- To start Apache, click the Start button next to Apache in the control panel.
- To stop Apache, click the Stop button next to Apache.
- To start MySQL, click the Start button next to MySQL.
- To stop MySQL, click the Stop button next to MySQL.
- To start ProFTPD, click the Start button next to ProFTPD.
- To stop ProFTPD, click the Stop button next to ProFTPD.
- When you’re done, close the control panel by clicking the Quit button.
- Also, you can manage these services through the Terminal by running specific commands.
- To start or stop all services at once, you can use the “Start” and “Stop” options for all services in the control panel or use the terminal commands to do it in one go.
- If you want to check if the services are running, you can use the status check option in the control panel or terminal.
How to Download and Install XAMPP on MacOS?
The process of downloading and installing XAMPP on a Mac is very easy. Just download the installer, drag it into your Applications folder, and you’re almost finished. You don’t need to follow complicated settings, the XAMPP control panel makes it simple to start and manage Apache and MySQL. After it’s installed, you can check if it’s working by opening a browser and typing “localhost.” This makes it a great option for anyone who wants to run a local server for web development on a Mac.
Name | XAMPP |
Category | open-source program |
Last update | 7 days ago |
Operating System | macOS |
Language | English |
Size | 150.3 mb |
Download | 800 million |
- Download the XAMPP installer for macOS.
- Open the file you just downloaded.
- Drag XAMPP into your Applications folder.
- Install like a normal application use to be installed and follow on screen instruction.
- Open XAMPP from your Applications folder.
- If your Mac asks, allow XAMPP to run in the Security & Privacy settings.
- Start Apache and MySQL in the XAMPP control panel.
- Open your browser and type “localhost” to check if it’s working.
Use phpMyAdmin with XAMPP on MacOS
This tool also provides important services like Apache, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin. You can easily manage your databases and websites locally without needing a live server. It provides an easy-to-use interface for tasks like creating and editing databases, running SQL commands, and moving data around. You can also control the Apache and MySQL services and monitor their status through the XAMPP Control Panel.
- Download and install it for macOS.
- Open the XAMPP Control Panel and start Apache and MySQL.
- Open your browser and go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin to access phpMyAdmin.
- Login using the default username root and leave the password field empty.
- Optionally, set a password for the root user for better security.
- Use phpMyAdmin to manage databases and tables and run SQL queries.
How to Set Up Virtual Hosts in XAMPP for MacOS?
- Open the application on your Mac.
- Edit the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf) to enable virtual hosts.
- Edit the line that includes the httpd-vhosts.conf file.
- Save and close the configuration file.
- Open the httpd-vhosts.conf file to set up your virtual hosts.
- Add the necessary configuration for your local websites (like their file paths).
- Save and close the httpd-vhosts.conf file.
- Edit the hosts file to point your local domains to 127.0.0.1.
- Save and close the hosts file.
- Restart Apache through XAMPP’s control panel or using the Terminal.
- Finally, test it by opening your local domains in a browser to ensure they work.
Back Up and Restore Your XAMPP Setup on MacOS
Backe Up XAMPP on macOS
- Copy the htdocs folder where your website files are stored.
- Backup your MySQL databases using a tool like mysqldump or phpMyAdmin.
- Save any custom configuration files like httpd.conf or my.cnf if you’ve made changes.
Restore XAMPP on macOS
- Put the htdocs folder back in the XAMPP directory.
- Restore your MySQL databases using the backup file, through the mysql command or phpMyAdmin.
- Replace any configuration files you saved earlier to restore your custom settings.
Troubleshoots XAMPP Issues on MacOS
- Starts Slowly: Change the default ports for Apache and MySQL, and restart the application.
- Can’t Launch: Ensure it has the proper permissions, run it with the correct privileges, and restart the application.
- Apache or MySQL Won’t Start: Make sure necessary dependencies are installed, restart your computer, and check the error logs for specific issues.
- XAMPP Stuck: Restart your Mac, ensure no additional processes are running, and reinstall.
- Runs Slowly: Clear the browser cache, clear log files, and restart the application.
- Won’t Start: Uninstall it, delete all associated files, restart your computer, and reinstall the latest version.
Conclusion
It is a free and easy-to-use tool that lets developers set up a local server to build and test websites. The installation is very easy, and the control panel makes it easy to start and stop services. It is perfect for local web development with features like security options, language support, and easy-to-use settings, making it a great choice for developers who want a simple setup on macOS.