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Etcher

Tool to flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives

For Mac
Official website
Free
CategoryDesign & Creative
PlatformmacOS
InstallationHomebrew
Version2.1.6Catalog version

What is Etcher?

Tool to flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask balenaetcher
Official Website

How to Install Etcher on Mac

Follow these steps to install Etcher using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

  1. 1

    Open Terminal

    Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".

  2. 2

    Install Homebrew

    If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.

  3. 3

    Run brew install --cask balenaetcher

    Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:

    brew install --cask balenaetcher
  4. 4

    Verify Installation

    Run `brew list` to confirm balenaetcher is installed, then try `balenaetcher --version` to check the version number.

  5. 5

    Launch Etcher

    Run `balenaetcher` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

  • • If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
  • • If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
  • • On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Professional support available

Pros

  • Simple one-command installation
  • Well-maintained and regularly updated
  • Completely free to use

Cons

  • Requires Homebrew to be installed
  • macOS only

Frequently Asked Questions about Etcher

How do I install Etcher on Mac?
Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run brew install --cask balenaetcher. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run balenaetcher from Terminal.
Is Etcher free?
Yes, Etcher is completely free to use.
How do I uninstall Etcher?
Open Terminal and run brew uninstall --cask balenaetcher. Homebrew will remove Etcher and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running brew list.
What are alternatives to Etcher?
There are several design & creative apps available for macOS. Browse the Design & Creative category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.
How do I update Etcher to the latest version?
Run brew upgrade --cask balenaetcher in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run brew outdated to check if an update is available.
Does Etcher work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?
Yes, Etcher can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

About the Author

Maya Rodriguez

Creative Software Expert

Design & Graphics SoftwarePhoto & Video EditingUI/UX Design Tools
10+ years in graphic design · Former creative director

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