What Is Appium and How to Set It Up on a Mac?

Hi, I’m Nadeem — an ISTQB-certified QA engineer with over 7 years of experience in mobile, web, and API testing.

If you're exploring mobile automation on macOS, you’ve likely come across the term Appium. In this article, I’ll walk you through what Appium is, how it works, and a step‑by‑step Appium setup guide specifically for Mac users.

What Is Appium?

Let’s start with the basics — what is Appium? It’s an open‑source test automation framework designed for automating mobile apps on iOS and Android. Using standard WebDriver protocols, Appium lets you write tests in your preferred language without modifying the app’s codebase.

It supports native, hybrid, and mobile web apps. With Appium, teams can streamline their iOS automation and reuse scripts across platforms. That’s why it’s a top choice for developers and QA engineers focused on mobile automation on Mac.

Why Choose Appium?

Cross‑platform testing support
No need to recompile or access app source code
Compatible with Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and more
Large open‑source community and regular updates

Appium provides a flexible and scalable solution for teams building tests across mobile ecosystems.

How to Set Up Appium on a Mac

This part of the guide focuses on how to set up Appium on Mac for iOS automation. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking for a clean installation, follow these steps:

1. Install Homebrew

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

2. Install Node.js and npm

brew install node

3. Install Appium Globally

npm install -g appium

4. Install Appium Doctor

To verify your setup:

npm install -g appium-doctor
                            appium-doctor --ios

5. Install Xcode + Command Line Tools

xcode-select --install

Open Xcode and accept any required agreements.

6. Install Carthage

brew install carthage

7. Start the Appium Server

appium

The server should run at http://127.0.0.1:4723

8. Validate the Setup

Use Appium Desktop or your terminal to connect a real device or simulator. This ensures your environment is ready for automation scripts.

Tips for Smooth Appium Installation

Always verify setup with appium-doctor
Ensure compatibility between Xcode and your macOS version
Add binaries to $PATH if needed
Use Appium Inspector for UI element inspection

Summary

This Appium tutorial for Mac walked through installing Homebrew, Node.js, Xcode, and dependencies like Carthage to configure Appium on macOS. With a proper setup, you can start writing scripts for iOS devices quickly.

If you were wondering how to get started with Appium installation or how to configure Appium for iOS automation, this guide gives you the essentials.

What’s Next?

After installation, your next step is writing your first test script. The official Appium docs and GitHub repositories include plenty of real‑world examples to explore.

If you're building a mobile QA pipeline or want help integrating Appium into your workflow — let’s connect.

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What is Appium? How to Set Up Appium on a Mac (Step-by-Step Guide)