Welcome to the step-by-step guide on downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve on a Mac.
DaVinci Resolve is a top choice for video editing, known for its exceptional color grading and non-linear editing capabilities, making it the go-to tool for producing high-quality video content.
This tutorial is designed to walk you through the entire process of downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve on MacOS.
Instructions for Windows can be found here.
We have simplified the process of installing DaVinci Resolve, breaking down the steps into easy-to-follow instructions to make it less daunting for new users.
Let’s get started!
Download Davinci Resolve From The Blackmagic Website
Go to Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve product page. Scroll past a trailer showing a fraction of the famous blockbuster movies made with this software to locate your download options.
You’ll see two choices: ‘Davinci Resolve’ and ‘Davinci Resolve Studio’. Click on “Davinci Resolve”
Davinci Resolve is the free version.
Davinci Resolve Studio is the paid version.
This tutorial uses the free version, but the installation steps remain the same regardless of your version.
Tip: Downloading Davinci Resolve Studio When You Already Have A License
The link for Davinci Resolve studio on the Davinci Resolve product page will take you to a checkout page to purchase Davinci Resolve studio.
If you have already paid for Davinci Resolve studio and have a license, it can be downloaded from the product support page. Scroll down and look under the “Latest Downloads” column on the left.
Click on the respective version you need, and a new window will pop up asking you to register. In the lower left-hand side of that corner is a link to “Download Only.” Click that link, and Davinci Resolve Studio will begin to download.
Click On “Mac OS X” In The Pop-Up Box
A pop-up box will appear once you have clicked on ”Davinci Resolve” on the product page.
The pop-up has two versions of DaVinci Resolve: the free and paid version. Click on the Mac OS X button in the left box to download the free version of DaVinci Resolve.
Fill Out The Registration Form & Download Davinci Resolve
Once you click the Mac OS X button, a new pop-up window will appear, asking you to register. Registering is not optional for the free version of DaVinci Resolve.
That said, your registration details are not verified, and the download will begin right after you fill out the required information and click “Regiester & Download.”
The download should automatically start, but if it does not, a new pop-up window appears and has a link you can click on to start the download.
Open Zip, Extract, and Run DaVinci Resolve Installer
After completing the download, right-click on the zip file and click the Extract Here option.
Click On Install Resolve
Once the file is extracted, a .dmg file will be created. Double-click on the file to start the installation process. The installer will have three options, select “Install Resolve”
Read Introduction Read Me, and License Agreement
The first screen, once the DaVinci Resolve Installer has started, shows the introduction, followed by the Read Me, and License Agreement.
Select Destination Folder
If you want to install DaVinci Resolve on a drive other than the default drive, now is the time to change that. If you do not have more than one drive available, the installer will skip this step.
Start The DaVinci Resolve Installation
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Click Install to begin installing DaVinci Resolve. You will be prompted to enter the password for your account. Enter the password and click Install Software.
The installation will begin, and as the software is large, it will take several minutes to complete.
Click Close to Close DaVinci Resolve Installer
Once Davinci Resolve has been successfully installed, the install wizard will display a finish screen. Lastly, click on the Close button.
Installation is now complete. You can start DaVinci Resolve by clicking the icon in the Applications folder
Video Tutorial
Here is a video that demonstrates the process.
Additional Points And Clarifications
System Requirements
Obtained from the Blackmagic Design support page.
Minimum system requirements for Mac OS:
- macOS 12 Monterey
- 8 GB of system memory. 16 GB when using Fusion
- Blackmagic Design Desktop Video version 12.0 or later
- Integrated GPU or discrete GPU with at least 2 GB of VRAM.
- GPU which supports Metal or OpenCL 1.2.
Internet Connection
A small note about needing a stable internet connection for downloading the software, as the file size is just over 2 GB.
Disabling Antivirus Software (Optional)
Some users may encounter issues with their antivirus software during installation. Temporarily turning off antivirus software during the installation process could be helpful.
Installation Time
I mentioned that the installation takes several minutes. Installation time can vary based on your system’s performance. It took me under 30 minutes to install DaVinci Resolve, following the exact steps in this guide.