Apple Disk Image

The DMG format is one of several file types software developers utilize to distribute macOS applications outside of Apple's App Store. Other options include .APP files compressed in a .ZIP archive, .PKG files, and .IMG files (more common in Mac OS Classic and replaced by DMG files).

DMG is a prevalent distribution format because it maintains the disk image's integrity via checksums . When opening a DMG file to begin the installation process, the DiskImageMounter utility bundled with macOS verifies the checksum to ensure the disk image has not been modified or corrupted during the distribution. This process is valuable for developers and end-users to make sure they install an untampered application.

NOTE: In rare cases, Mac users may package files instead of macOS apps in a DMG file for transfer purposes. In these cases, the DMG file functions as a virtual flash drive recipients can mount to retrieve the stored files.

You can open a DMG file by double-clicking the file. After clicking the file, the DiskImageMounter utility bundled with macOS verifies the disk image's integrity. After confirming the disk image, the utility mounts the virtual disk and places it on your desktop and in an Apple Finder window as if it was a CD or a USB flash drive inserted into the computer.

You can double-click the program icon (actually an APP file) in the Finder window to run the app. Or, you can drag the program icon to the Applications folder icon in that same window to move it to the Applications directory on your computer, then double-click the app directly from the Applications directory to run it.

You no longer need the DMG file after installing the software stored in the DMG file. Therefore, you can delete the DMG file after installing the software.

How to open a DMG file in Windows

DMG files are Mac-specific and not intended for use in Windows. Therefore, if you download a DMG file from a website, check the site for a Windows version of the software (most likely distributed as an .EXE or .MSI file).

Although you cannot install software distributed via DMG files in Windows, several Windows applications can extract their contents, including 7-Zip and PeaZip . You can also attempt to convert the DMG file to an .IMG file with the DMG2IMG utility.

Programs that open DMG files

Updated: September 15, 2022