# Installing macFUSE

## Installation

When you attempt to add your first Workspace on macOS, Mimiq performs a Preflight Check to confirm macFUSE is installed and loaded on your Mac. If not, Mimiq will prompt you to install macFUSE.

### macFUSE

macFUSE is a macOS kernel extension used to create virtual filesystems. It's built and maintained by **Benjamin Fleischer** ([https://osxfuse.github.io](https://osxfuse.github.io/)). Mimiq automatically downloads the correct macFUSE installer for your OS.

Newer systems running macOS 26 Tahoe require [macFUSE 5](https://hedge.video/external/mimiq/fuse26), or newer. Older systems, like Intel Macs, you might need to download an older version of macFUSE at <https://github.com/osxfuse/osxfuse/releases>.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If your Mac is managed through MDM, stop now and contact your System Administrator. The following steps below will not apply when using MDM.
{% endhint %}

#### Apple Silicon and Reduced Security

On **Apple silicon**, you'll first need to set your Mac's security policy to "Reduced Security" to be able to load signed kernel extensions. If you're on **Intel**, you can skip to [#install-macfuse](#install-macfuse "mention").

{% hint style="info" %}
Apple's use of "Reduced Security" language is misleading. With it, your Mac's security is on par with the level of security you've come to expect with previous versions of macOS.
{% endhint %}

1. Shut down your Apple silicon Mac.
2. Press and hold down the power button until your Mac boots. Your Mac will either send you directly into macOS' Recovery environment, or you'll see an `Options` button leading to that.
3. Log in with your user account and select the disk you want to use.
4. In the menu bar, go to `Utilities`, then select `Startup Security Utility`.

![](/files/iQpWVTttFHTixPFsVTRG)

5. Click `Security Policy...`

![Select the disk and click Security policy](/files/VIYqdNeq42huzbXa5emf)

6. Select `Reduced Security`, then enable:\
   `Allow user management of kernel extensions from identified developers` .

![](/files/94ztFND4lKt7Er40H2IK)

7. Click `OK`.
8. In the menu bar, select `Shut Down`.
9. Turn your Mac back on (press but don't hold the power button this time), then log in.

#### Install macFUSE

1. Click `+ Add Workspace`. If Mimiq can't detect macFUSE on your Mac, Mimiq prompts you to install macFUSE first.

<figure><img src="/files/vNlvfZDiDdxubSiVWpXU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Click `Install`. Mimiq downloads a DMG with the macFUSE installer, then opens it for you.
3. In the mounted `macFUSE` DMG window, double-click `Install macFUSE`, then follow the prompts to complete installation.

Right before you complete macFUSE installation, a `System Extension Blocked` or `System Extension Updated` dialog will appear. Now you'll need to approve macFUSE to load in macOS.

<figure><img src="/files/6ugGyY2BctswATiqYHHf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Approving macFUSE in macOS**

Confirm which version of macOS you're using with Mimiq, then follow these steps to approve macFUSE to load in macOS:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS 13 and newer" %}

1. In the `System Extension Blocked` or `System Extension Updated` dialog, click `Open System Settings`.
   * If you clicked `OK` instead, click `Open Security & Privacy System Preferences` in the installer.
2. System Settings will launch, taking you to `Privacy & Security > Security`.
3. Under the `System software from developer "Benjamin Fleischer"…` prompt, click `Allow`.
4. Two `Privacy & Security` dialogs will appear:
   1. In the first `Privacy & Security` dialog (`Privacy & Security is trying to modify your system settings.`), enter the password from a local macOS Administrator account, then click `Modify Settings`.
   2. In the second `Privacy & Security` dialog (`Privacy & Security needs to authenticate to continue.`), enter your macOS account’s password, then click `OK`.
5. `Restart` your Mac. It may restart multiple times.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS 12" %}

1. In the `System Extension Blocked` or `System Extension Updated` dialog, click `Open Security Preferences`.
   * If you clicked `OK` instead, click `Open Security & Privacy System Preferences` in the installer.
2. System Preferences will launch, taking you to `Security & Privacy > General`.
3. Click the lock `🔒` in the lower-left corner, then authenticate using a local macOS Administrator account.
4. Once `Security & Privacy > General` is unlocked, next to the `System software from developer "Benjamin Fleischer"…` prompt, click `Allow`.
5. Click `OK,` then `Restart` your Mac. It may restart multiple times.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS 11 and older" %}

1. Launch System Preferences, then go to `Security & Privacy > General`.
2. Click the lock `🔒` in the lower-left corner, then authenticate using a local macOS Administrator account.
3. Once `Security & Privacy > General` is unlocked, click `Allow`.
4. Click `Restart Now`.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

Once macFUSE is installed, you're ready to [add your first Workspace](#add-a-workspace). ✅

#### Still no success?

Try loading the kernel extension manually in Terminal:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS 11 and newer" %}
`sudo /usr/bin/kmutil load -p /Library/Filesystems/macfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/11/macfuse.kext`
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="macOS 10.15.7" %}
`kextload /Library/Filesystems/macfuse.fs/Contents/Extensions/10.15/macfuse.kext`
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

If that returns an error like `system policy prevents loading` and/or doesn't load macFUSE, your computer is very likely under IT management policies that prevent kernel extensions to load. Talk to your IT department first, they'll know what to do.


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