Install Homebrew and FFmpeg on Mac OS

Welcome! This guide will walk you through installing Homebrew and FFmpeg on your Mac. Homebrew is a handy package manager that makes installing software a breeze, while FFmpeg is a powerful tool for working with audio and video files.

Let’s get started with these simple steps!

Step 1: Install Homebrew

Homebrew lets you install software on your Mac using the command line, kind of like an app store for developers.

Open Terminal: Find it in Applications > Utilities > Terminal, or search for "Terminal" using Spotlight (press Cmd + Space).
Run this command: Copy and paste the line below into Terminal, then press Enter:

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

Follow the prompts: You might need to enter your password or install Xcode Command Line Tools if prompted. It’ll take a few minutes, so grab a coffee!
Check it worked: Type this command and hit Enter:

brew --version

If you see something like "Homebrew 3.0.0" or higher, you’re golden!

Step 2: Install FFmpeg using Homebrew

FFmpeg is your go-to tool for editing, converting, or streaming multimedia files.

Run this command: In Terminal, type:

brew install ffmpeg

Wait it out: It’ll download and set up FFmpeg—might take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Verify it’s installed: Type:

ffmpeg -version

You should see something like "ffmpeg version 4.4" with some extra details. Success!

Troubleshooting Tips

Hit a snag? Here are some common issues and fixes:

Permission denied? If Terminal complains about permissions, try adding sudo before the command (e.g., sudo brew install ffmpeg), but be careful—it gives admin access.
Network trouble? If it fails to download, check your Wi-Fi and retry the command.
Homebrew already there? If you’ve got it installed, update it with brew update.
FFmpeg not found? If ffmpeg -version doesn’t work, ensure the install finished fully. Restart Terminal or your Mac, then try again.

For more detailed troubleshooting and installation steps, check out this guide: Homebrew Installation Guide.