If you don’t have access to the admin password on Mac, but you need to install a program, you will discover that traditional installation won’t function.
There is a technique, though, to circumvent the admin password on your Mac and download the software without it.
Installing Apps on a Mac without an Admin Password
Instead of going via the app store, if you want to download apps onto a Mac without entering an administrator password, you may do so by downloading them straight to the Downloads folder or desktop from the browser. After that, right-click the application, choose the option that says “run,” and the program will begin to operate as normal unless it needs an installation package.
Learn how to install applications to downloads by reading the information that is provided below, as well as what to do with programs that come with installation packages.
Downloading Programs to Downloads
To save a program to the Downloads folder on your computer, you will first need to save it to your internet browser’s downloads folder.
The administrator password must be entered before any applications from the app store may be downloaded.
Find the program that you wish to use on the internet, and then download it using the internet browser on your computer.
Check that it downloads to either the downloads folder or the desktop of your computer.
Remove the Administrator Password
Right-clicking the application once the application has been successfully installed into downloads will let you execute the software as you normally would.
If you are using downloads to run programs rather than applications themselves, it is possible that you will not be able to store data on the app.
You may be able to save files of a certain kind to your computer and then use the app to access those files at a later time, but the program itself might not preserve any of your data.
For instance, if you have Microsoft Word pre-loaded in your downloads, you can always save a Word document to your files and then reopen the document in Word when you bring it up. This is only possible if you have Word installed in your downloads.
It’s possible that certain programs, like internet browsers, don’t preserve your browsing history or login information for your accounts.
Installer Packages for Apps
If the program is a full file that does not include an installation package, you will be able to execute the app as you normally would; however, PKG applications that have an installation package will often need a password to access the administrative interface.
When you download a PKG file, the application it contains is not completely installed and cannot be launched in its current state. If you make an effort to access the installation package, you will be required to provide your password. You may avoid this by following the procedures outlined below or watching the video provided.
1. Create a folder
Make a folder that will serve as the storage location for your application. Give it an appropriate name, and then save it in a location that will be simple to get to throughout the installation process, such as your desktop.
2. Open the terminal
Launch the terminal on your Apple computer. The “Other” area of Launchpad is where you’ll find this particular item. After opening the terminal, you should type pkgutil -expand.
3. Drop the PKG file into the terminal
After the text that you just wrote, insert the package file by dragging and dropping it into the terminal. After that, you will need to use the dragging and dropping method to transfer the folder that you made in the first step.
4. Press enter
You may get an error message indicating that the folder has already been created. If this occurs, you will need to remove the folder you created in the first step. When you execute the code once again, the folder will be “recreated” from scratch.
5. In the terminal, rerun the code.
To copy the text that you just input and attempt to execute, use the up arrow key on your keyboard. Once you have completed this step, you should hit enter once again. After that, the folder will be produced and placed in the location that you specified in the first phase of the process.
6. View the contents of the package by opening the folder.
Launch the file folder. The PKG file will be located within. Use your mouse’s right-click menu to choose “Show Package Contents” from the available options.
7. Locate the payload folder and turn it into an application.
There is a possibility that the PKG file contains a folder with the name “Payload.” Put this folder somewhere that will make it easy for you to discover it, and then rename it.
Following the payload, type:.app. After doing so, the folder will transform into an application, and you should be able to see the icon of the application replace the previous icon for the folder.
From this location, you will be able to rename the folder to reflect the name of the program.
Payload File
The methods following should be followed if you have a payload file rather than a folder at your disposal.
I. Create a new folder
You will need to create a new folder to extract the payload file to it. You should give it the same name as the app. Put it in an easily accessible location, like the desktop, for example.
II. Enter the code into the terminal.
You will need to open the terminal in the same manner as described in the prior step, and then type: tar -xvf
III. Drop payload file into the terminal
Put the payload file in the terminal by dragging and dropping it, then typing -C.
After this, bring the folder you just made into the terminal by dragging and dropping it there. It is not necessary to first remove the folder to execute this operation. To execute the command, press the enter key.
IV. Open the app
After you’ve finished creating the folder, the application will be extracted there. After the folder has been created, you have the option of transferring it to your apps or keeping it in its current location. It ought to function as an ordinary application devoid of any problems.
If you are experiencing problems with any of the code, check to be that you have typed it precisely, paying attention to details like capitalization and spacing between words. Before dragging and dropping a file or folder into the terminal, you need to ensure that there is a gap between the two.
Disable Download Password Requirements
If you already know the password, but you would still want to remove the necessity that a password is entered before downloading files, you may simply do so via the System Preferences menu.
Launch System Preferences to turn off the mandatory use of a password.
You may locate this by either clicking on the Apple symbol that is located in the menu bar or looking in the “Other” section of Launchpad.
From there, you may see the area about your Apple ID. If your account was first set up using an Apple ID, you will be able to make modifications to the password requirements for downloading under this part of the settings.
After reaching that point, go to the left sidebar menu and choose “Media & Purchases.”
There needs to be an icon for the App Store there as well. You will then have the option to demand a password before allowing users to download free applications.
You will also have the option to set a different password requirement for in-app purchases as well as applications that you will be required to buy.
To make these modifications, you will need to enter your password; however, after you have done so, you should no longer need to input your admin password to download applications.
