> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.minimalmacropad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MinimalPad Studio for Mac: Download and Overview

> MinimalPad Studio for Mac is a native macOS app that configures your pad and switches its keys to match the app you're working in.

MinimalPad Studio for Mac is the native macOS app for your pad. It edits keys over USB or Bluetooth like the browser version does, and it adds the thing only a Mac app can do: **app profiles**, where the pad changes its keys — and its light colour — to match whatever app is in front of you.

## Download

<Card title="Download MinimalPad Studio for Mac" icon="apple" href="https://downloads.minimalmacropad.com/mac/latest">
  Always the newest version. Universal build for Apple Silicon and Intel. Requires macOS 14 or later.
</Card>

Open the DMG and drag **MinimalPad Studio** to your Applications folder. [Install and first launch](/mac/install) walks through what happens the first time you open it.

To check a download, run `shasum -a 256` on the DMG and compare the result with its [published checksum](https://downloads.minimalmacropad.com/mac/MinimalPad-Studio-latest.dmg.sha256). Once installed, Studio [keeps itself up to date](/mac/updates).

|                                |                                                                |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| macOS                          | 14 (Sonoma) or later                                           |
| Processors                     | Apple Silicon and Intel                                        |
| Firmware for key editing       | Any MinimalPad firmware                                        |
| Firmware for app profiles      | 0.3.0 or newer — Studio can [install it for you](/mac/updates) |
| Firmware for Open app keys     | 0.5.0 or newer — the current Studio carries it                 |
| Firmware for changing the dial | 0.6.0 or newer — the current Studio carries it                 |
| Connection                     | USB-C data cable, or Bluetooth                                 |

## What you can do with it

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Change what a key does" icon="keyboard" href="/mac/change-a-key">
    Shortcuts, single keys, media keys, layer keys, a key that opens an app, and the pad's own Bluetooth and lighting commands.
  </Card>

  <Card title="App profiles" icon="layer-group" href="/mac/profiles">
    Give Figma its own keys and Photoshop its own, and let the pad follow you between them. 31 apps come with their default shortcuts by name.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Layers" icon="clone" href="/mac/layers">
    Add, rename, and delete layers on the pad.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Updates" icon="arrows-rotate" href="/mac/updates">
    Studio updates itself, and it can flash new pad firmware for you.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How it's different from the browser version

The two apps configure the same pad, but they feel different to use:

* **It finds your pad by itself.** No device picker. Plug the pad in and Studio has it within a couple of seconds.
* **There's no Save button.** Changes reach the pad immediately and are written to its memory a few seconds later. ⌘Z undoes anything.
* **It lives in the menu bar.** Close the window and Studio keeps running, showing which profile the pad is on and opening apps when you press an Open app key.
* **It speaks plainly.** Keys are described by what they do, not by ZMK behaviour names.

For a full comparison, see [Mac or browser?](/configure/mac-or-browser).

<Note>
  Studio for Mac is an early release. Read [Limits and known issues](/mac/limits) before you rely on it for something important — in particular, connect one MinimalPad at a time.
</Note>