Install Git on Mac in 3 Minutes! (2025 Homebrew Method)

Git is essential for version control and collaborating on software projects. In this guide, I’ll show you the fastest and most reliable way to install Git on your Mac using Homebrew. This method is recommended by the Git team and preferred by most macOS developers.

Why Use Homebrew?

Before diving into the installation, let’s understand why Homebrew is the best choice:

1. Automated Setup: Homebrew handles environment variables automatically
2. Easy Updates: Simple commands to keep Git up-to-date
3. Dependency Management: Automatically installs and manages required dependencies
4. Official Support: Recommended by the Git development team

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1: Install Homebrew

First, we need to install Homebrew, the popular package manager for macOS. Visit brew.sh and copy the installation command. Open Terminal and paste this command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

During installation:

• You’ll be prompted for your password
• Xcode Command Line Tools will be installed if not present
• Follow any on-screen prompts

Step 2: Set Up Homebrew Environment Variables

After installation, you need to set up Homebrew in your system’s PATH. Run the commands shown in Terminal.

To verify Homebrew is properly installed, run:

brew help

Step 3: Install Git

Now that Homebrew is set up, installing Git is incredibly simple. Run:

brew install git

Verify the installation by checking Git’s version:

git --help

Keeping Git Updated

One of the advantages of using Homebrew is easy updates. To update Git in the future:

1. Update Homebrew’s package list:

brew update

1. Upgrade Git to the latest version:

brew upgrade git

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues:

1. Command Not Found: If brew commands don’t work, ensure your PATH is set correctly
2. Permission Issues: Make sure you have administrator privileges
3. Installation Fails: Check your internet connection and try again

Conclusion

Using Homebrew to install Git on macOS is the most efficient method in 2025. It provides:

• Quick installation
• Automatic environment setup
• Easy updates
• Reliable dependency management

Now you’re ready to use Git for version control and collaborate on projects with other developers. Happy coding!

Useful Resources

• Official Git Documentation
• Homebrew Homepage
• Git Installation Guide