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Install on macOS

This page covers installing the ViewPoint desktop application on macOS (macOS 11 Big Sur or later). The desktop app is the live data receiver and visualizer. Installing the ViewPoint Arduino library and uploading your first sketch are covered separately in Next steps.

Pick the build that matches your Mac's chip

ViewPoint ships as separate Apple Silicon and Apple Intel builds. To check which you have, open the Apple menu → About This Mac: an "Apple M-series" chip means Apple Silicon, while "Intel" means the Intel build. Download the matching macOS build before you begin.

1. Download and Install ViewPoint

  1. Download the macOS build of ViewPoint that matches your Mac's chip, along with the accompanying files.
  2. Open the downloaded ViewPoint .dmg file.
  3. Drag ViewPoint.app into the Applications folder.
  4. Eject the mounted disk image after the copy finishes.
Dragging ViewPoint.app into the Applications folder
Drag ViewPoint.app into the Applications folder, then eject the disk image

Code signing is coming soon

The current build is unsigned, so macOS may block the first launch. Once code signing is fully enabled this step will no longer be necessary. Until then, use the one-time workaround below.

If macOS blocks the first launch:

  1. Try to open ViewPoint.app once.

    macOS blocks the first launch of ViewPoint.app
    The first launch is blocked

  2. Optionally, click the ? to be guided to System Settings, then click Done and exit the help menu.

    macOS help: "Can't check app for malicious software"
    "Can't check app for malicious software" help dialog

  3. Open System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security.

  4. Click Open Anyway for ViewPoint.

    Privacy & Security pane with the Open Anyway button
    Privacy & Security ▸ Open Anyway

  5. Work through the dialogs, clicking Open Anyway and entering your password when prompted.

    Confirm Open Anyway dialog Enter your password dialog

  6. Launch the app again to confirm it opens normally. Use Spotlight to search for ViewPoint, or open it directly from Finder under Applications/ViewPoint.app.

ViewPoint on first successful launch
ViewPoint on its first successful launch

If Open Anyway does not appear

Make sure you tried to open ViewPoint.app at least once first — the Open Anyway button only shows in System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security after macOS has blocked a launch attempt. See Apple's guide on opening apps from outside the App Store for more detail.

Next steps

With the desktop app installed, finish your setup:

  • Install the ViewPoint Arduino library (and the optional SignalCore library): see Install the ViewPoint Arduino Library.
  • Connect your board and upload your first sketch: follow the QuickStart to upload HelloPlotter, connect ViewPoint to the Teensy, and confirm your first live plot.

For everything else — boards not appearing, no data after upload, etc. — see Troubleshooting.