How to Install and Use PuTTY for Mac

Install and Use PuTTY for Mac

Last updated on February 24th, 2025 at 5:23 am

Introduction:

In the realm of remote server management and secure network communication, PuTTY has earned a reputation as a reliable and versatile tool. Originally designed for Windows, PuTTY has expanded its reach to include other operating systems, including macOS, to cater to the needs of a wider user base. Hence, if you’re a Mac user seeking a seamless remote access solution, you’ve landed in the right place.

This comprehensive guide aims to assist you in installing and effectively utilizing PuTTY for Mac. Whether you’re an experienced system administrator, a networking enthusiast, or someone requiring secure connections to remote servers, this step-by-step tutorial will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make the most of PuTTY’s capabilities on macOS.

What is PuTTY?

 PuTTY

PuTTY is an open-source application that utilizes network protocols such as Telnet and rlogin on both Windows and UNIX platforms, complemented by an Xterm terminal emulator. With the support of these protocols, PuTTY facilitates remote sessions on computers over a network. Known for its popularity in text-based communication, PuTTY is particularly renowned for its utility in connecting Microsoft operating system-based computers to Linux servers.

PuTTY is not available as a native application for macOS but you can install it by using MacPorts. It was initially developed for Windows, and while there are third-party solutions that attempt to bring PuTTY functionality to macOS, they may not provide the exact same experience.

How to Install PuTTY for Mac?

If you’re looking to install PuTTY on macOS, macports.org provides a reliable method to accomplish this task without any hassle. While Homebrew is another option, it doesn’t include the graphical user interface (GUI) component of PuTTY.

MacPorts

To install PuTTY for Mac using MacPorts, you can follow the below-listed steps:

  1. Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications>Utilities folder of your device.
  2. In the Terminal, enter the following command and press Enter:

sudo port install putty

 sudo port install putty

This command will initiate the download and installation process for three programs: putty, puttygen, and puttytel. These will be installed in the /opt/local/bin directory.

  1. Once the installation is complete, you should be able to run PuTTY from the command line by simply typing:

putty

The /opt/local/bin directory should be in your system’s PATH configuration, allowing you to access PuTTY effortlessly.

  1. If you prefer a shortcut to access PuTTY more conveniently, you can create a symbolic link or a Mac alias. For instance, to add an icon to your Desktop, enter the following command:

ln -s /opt/local/bin/putty ~/Desktop/PuTTY

This command will create a symbolic link named PuTTY on your Desktop so that you can access it easily without digging deep into folders.

With these steps, you’ll have PuTTY macOS ready to facilitate remote server management and enhance the networking experience on your device.

How To Use PuTTY on macOS?

By now we believe you have successfully installed PuTTY for Mac. So, here comes the next step. There are two ways to run PuTTY on Mac. You can either use the shortcut link placed on the Desktop or use the Terminal app to launch PuTTY.

To open PuTTY using the Terminal app, type “Putty” and press Enter.

Once the app launches on your device, you will see the following window on the screen:

Use PuTTY on macOS

As you can see in the snapshot, PuTTY offers you four different types of connection types that you can choose including RAW, Telnet, rlogin, SSH, and Serial. For performing basic operations, you can pick SSH as a default choice.

To get started, enter a hostname or IP address in the textbox. Select a connection type to set up a remote connection. Hit on the “Open” button to connect to the chosen server.

And that’s it! You now have PuTTY for Mac installed on your device. You can use this tool to connect remotely to computers, access different ports, and so on.

Is it Safe to Use PuTTY on Mac?

PuTTY is generally considered safe to use on macOS, as it is a widely used and respected terminal emulator and SSH client. However, make sure to download PuTTY from official and trusted sources, such as the official PuTTY website or reliable package managers like MacPorts. We would recommend you avoid downloading PuTTY from untrusted or third-party websites to minimize the risk of downloading compromised or modified versions.

In addition to this, regularly check for PuTTY updates and install them to benefit from bug fixes and security improvements.

Conclusion

PuTTY is a versatile tool for remote server access and management, and MacPorts makes it available for macOS. You can download and install PuTTY on your Mac in just a few easy steps, then use it to easily connect to remote servers and run commands. Be sure to adhere to security best practices when using PuTTY macOS, such as installing the tool from reputable sources, keeping your system and the program up to date, and using secure connections.

You can increase your productivity and effectiveness as a system administrator, network engineer, or developer by installing PuTTY on your Mac.

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Popular Post

Recent Post

Fix Issues Downloading From the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, 10 PC

By TechCommuters / July 17, 2025

Do you get excited when you’re about to download a new app or game? You open the Microsoft Store, click the download button… but nothing happens. Or maybe it starts and then suddenly stops. Sometimes, strange messages pop up like “Something happened on our end” or “Try again later.” That can be really annoying. But […]

Fix Low Disk Space Errors Quickly On Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 15, 2025

Low disk space errors can slow down your Windows PC. These errors appear when your hard drive runs out of room. Your computer needs space to work properly. When space runs low, programs crash and files won’t save. Windows shows warning messages about low disk space. Your PC may freeze or run slowly. You might […]

How To Uninstall Software From My Computer: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 13, 2025

Learning how to uninstall software from my computer is a key skill. Every PC user needs to know this. Old programs take up space. They slow down your system. Unused software creates clutter. When you remove a program from computer, you free up storage. Your PC runs faster. You also fix issues caused by bad […]

How To Manage & Free Up Disk Space On Windows 11 [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 12, 2025

Low disk space on Windows 11 is a frequent issue that can lead to slow performance, program crashes, and failure to save files. Fortunately, understanding how to manage your storage can quickly resolve these problems and keep your system running smoothly. A lot of people aren’t aware that Windows 11 includes built-in features to help […]

Windows 11 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 10, 2025

Windows 11 comes with many built-in tools. One key tool is Windows 11 Disk Management. This tool helps you control your hard drives and storage. It’s free and already installed on your computer. Many users don’t know about this feature. But it can solve many storage problems. You can create new drives, resize them, and […]

Top 10 Disk Management Tools For Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]

By TechCommuters / July 7, 2025

Your Windows 11, 10 PC needs proper disk care. Isn’t it? Well, a good disk management tool Windows 11, 10 helps keep your computer running fast. These tools fix disk errors and manage storage space better. Disk management is vital for PC health. Your hard drive stores all your files and programs. Without proper care, […]

Top 8 Best Methods To Backup Windows 11: Complete Guide

By TechCommuters / July 3, 2025

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest operating system. It brings new features and better security. But like any computer system, it can face problems. Your files might get lost. Your system might crash. Viruses can attack your computer. This is why you need to know how to backup Windows 11. Creating backups is like having insurance […]

Windows 10 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]

By TechCommuters / June 30, 2025

To keep your computer running smoothly, it’s important to maintain and organize your storage drives. Windows 10 includes a handy built-in utility for this purpose called Disk Management. Many users don’t know about this powerful feature. They struggle with storage problems. They can’t create new partitions. They don’t know how to resize drives. This guide […]

How to Create And Format Hard Disk Partitions on Windows 11 And 10

By TechCommuters / June 27, 2025

Your computer’s hard disk functions like a large storage container. You can divide it into smaller sections, known as partitions. Each partition operates independently, similar to a separate drive within your system. Windows 11 and 10 make it easy to create and format hard disk partitions. You don’t need special software. The built-in tools work […]

Update Windows Security Signatures Manually On Windows 11/10

By TechCommuters / June 24, 2025

Windows security keeps your computer safe from viruses and malware. The system works by checking files against known threat patterns. These patterns are called security signatures. Without them, your computer becomes vulnerable to attacks. Sometimes, automatic updates don’t work properly. Your computer might miss important security updates. Network issues can block the download process. The […]