Installation Guide

Get Notion running on your Mac

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Installing Notion for Desktop on macOS

Setting up Notion on your Mac is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. This guide covers downloading the application, installing it, creating your workspace, and configuring preferences for optimal use.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

  1. Download Notion for Mac

    Visit Notion's official website and navigate to the downloads page. Click the "Download for Mac" button. The website automatically detects your operating system and provides the appropriate installer. The download is approximately 80MB and begins immediately.

  2. Open the Downloaded File

    Locate the downloaded DMG file in your Downloads folder. The file will be named something like "Notion-{version}.dmg". Double-click to mount the disk image. A Finder window will appear showing the Notion app icon and an Applications folder shortcut.

  3. Install the Application

    Drag the Notion icon onto the Applications folder icon. This copies Notion to your Mac's Applications folder. The process typically takes less than 30 seconds. Once complete, you can eject the mounted disk image and delete the DMG file if desired.

  4. Launch Notion

    Open your Applications folder and double-click Notion to launch it. On first launch, macOS may display a security warning asking if you're sure you want to open the app. Click "Open" to proceed. Notion will then open its welcome screen.

  5. Create Account or Sign In

    If you're new to Notion, click "Sign Up" to create a free account. You can register using your email address, Google account, or Apple ID. For existing users, click "Log In" and enter your credentials. Two-factor authentication (if enabled) will prompt for a verification code.

  6. Choose Your Workspace

    After signing in, you'll be prompted to create a workspace or join an existing one. For personal use, give your workspace a name (you can change this later). For team use, enter your team's workspace name or invitation code. You can belong to multiple workspaces and switch between them easily.

  7. Explore the Getting Started Guide

    Notion presents a brief interactive tutorial highlighting key features. This takes about 5 minutes and covers creating pages, using blocks, and basic navigation. You can skip this if you prefer, but it's helpful for new users.

  8. Set Up Your Preferences

    Click "Settings & Members" in the sidebar to configure your preferences. Key settings include appearance (light, dark, or system), language, start week on (Monday or Sunday), and notification preferences. Customize these to match your workflow.

Verifying the Installation

Confirm that Notion is properly installed and working:

Check the Menu Bar

When Notion is running, you'll see "Notion" in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click it to access app-specific menus and preferences.

Create a Test Page

Click "+ Add a page" in the sidebar. Type some text, add different block types using "/", and verify everything works smoothly. Test formatting, media embeds, and databases.

Test Sync

Open Notion in your web browser and verify your test page appears there. This confirms syncing is working correctly across platforms.

Post-Installation Configuration

Customizing Appearance

Navigate to Settings → Appearance to customize how Notion looks:

Notification Settings

Control which notifications you receive:

Keyboard Shortcuts

Familiarize yourself with essential shortcuts. Press Cmd+/ to see all available shortcuts. Key ones include:

Setting Up Your Workspace

Workspace Organization

Create a structure that works for your needs:

  1. Create Main Sections

    Add top-level pages for major areas like "Projects", "Personal", "Resources", or "Archive". These serve as containers for related content.

  2. Use Templates

    Browse Notion's template gallery for pre-built structures. Click "Templates" in the sidebar to explore options for various use cases. Duplicate templates you like into your workspace.

  3. Set Up Databases

    Create your first database for tasks, projects, or notes. Use the /database command and choose a view type. Add properties that match your workflow needs.

  4. Customize Your Sidebar

    Drag pages to reorder them, create nested page hierarchies, and add frequently accessed pages to Favorites for quick access.

Importing Existing Data

Migrate your existing notes and documents into Notion:

Supported Import Sources

Import Process

To import content:

  1. Click "Import" in the sidebar (under Settings & Members)
  2. Select your source application
  3. Follow the prompts to upload or connect your data
  4. Choose destination in your workspace
  5. Wait for import to complete (may take several minutes for large datasets)
  6. Review imported content and adjust formatting as needed

Troubleshooting Common Issues

App Won't Open

If Notion doesn't launch:

Sync Issues

If changes aren't syncing:

Performance Problems

If Notion feels slow:

Uninstalling Notion

If you need to remove Notion from your Mac:

  1. Quit the Application

    Right-click the Notion icon in the Dock and select "Quit", or press Cmd+Q while Notion is active.

  2. Delete the App

    Open Applications folder, find Notion, and drag it to Trash. Or right-click and select "Move to Trash".

  3. Remove Application Data

    To completely remove all Notion data, delete these folders:

    ~/Library/Application Support/Notion ~/Library/Caches/notion.id ~/Library/Saved Application State/notion.id.savedState
  4. Empty Trash

    Right-click the Trash and select "Empty Trash" to permanently remove all files.

Note: Uninstalling the app doesn't delete your cloud data. Your workspaces and pages remain accessible via web browser or by reinstalling the app.