How To Open Terminal On Mac (5 Methods)

Here's step by step guide to open terminal on Mac using 5 different ways on your Mac in any macOS Version. Use it Quickly from any window.

The Terminal is a Command Line Interface (CLI) application on your macOS. It is a similar application to the Command Prompt used in Windows OS. It lets you input text commands to perform actions on your Mac. So you can use your Mac by typing commands in the Terminal window. However, to use the Terminal app, you will need to open it on your Mac.

There are five different ways to open the Terminal app on your Mac. Here, we have discussed them by providing screenshots to help you understand them easily. 

Method 1: Open Terminal using Launchpad

You can open the Terminal using Launchpad, just like any other app on your Mac. The following steps will show you how to open the Terminal using the Launchpad.

Step 1. Click on the Launchpad icon in the Dock on your Mac. OR You can also press the F4 or fn+F4 keys to open the Launchpad on your Mac. So the Launchpad with a search bar at the top will appear on your screen. Launchpad Shortcut Not Working on Mac, get a guide to remap the launchpad keyboard shortcut.

Note: If you don’t see Launchpad in your Dock, open Finder and select Applications in the Sidebar. Here, scroll and find Launchpad in the Applications window. Then drag & drop the Launchpad icon from here to the Dock. 

open-launchpad-from-dock-on-mac
open-launchpad-from-dock-on-mac

Step 2. Type ‘Terminal’ in the search box, then hit ‘return’ on your keyboard or click on the Terminal icon in the search results below. So the Terminal app will open on your screen.

find-terminal-on-spotlight-search
find-terminal-on-spotlight-search

Method 2: How to open Terminal on Mac with keyboard (Spotlight Search)

Spotlight Search is another easy way to open terminal using Spotlight Search. The following steps will guide you to open the Terminal on your Mac.

Step 1. Click on the search icon 🔍 in the menubar or press the ‘Command+Space’ keys on your Mac. So the Spotlight Search bar will come to your screen. 

Extra Note: If you don’t see the search icon 🔍 in the Menu Bar, On macOS Ventura, Go to the Apple Logo from top menu > System Settings > Control Center > Spotlight “Show in Menu Bar”. on macOS Monterey & Earlier: go to the Apple Logo > System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar. Then spot and select Spotlight in the Sidebar. Check the ‘Show in Menu Bar’ box to return the search icon to the Menu Bar. 

spotlight-shortcut-icon-on-menu-bar-mac
spotlight-shortcut-icon-on-menu-bar-mac

Step 2. Type Terminal in the search bar, and hit ‘return’ or click on the Terminal icon that appears in the results below. So the Terminal app will open up on your screen.

open-terminal-app-using-spotlight-search
open-terminal-app-using-spotlight-search

Method 3: Open Terminal using Finder

Finder is a common way to open anything on your Mac. Firstly, you need to know its location. The following steps will guide you to open the Terminal on Mac.

Step 1. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock on your Mac. So the Finder app window will open on your screen.

open-finder-on-mac
open-finder-on-mac

Step 2. Click on Applications under the Favourites in the Sidebar of the Finder. Here, find and double-click on the Utilities folder. (You can also click on the Desktop to see the Finder in the Menu Bar. Then in the Menu Bar, click on the Go tab > select Utilities.) Thus, the Utilities folder will open in the Finder.

open-terminal-from-applications
open-terminal-from-applications

Step 3. You will see the Terminal icon in the Utilities folder. Now, Double-click on the Terminal icon to open the Terminal on your Mac. – What is Double click to Open a folder not working on your Mac?

open-terminal-using-finder-on-mac
open-terminal-using-finder-on-mac

Method 4: Open the Terminal using Siri

An effortless way to open the Terminal on your Mac is by using Siri voice assistant without doing much on the screen. The following steps will show you how to open Terminal using Siri voice assistant.

Step 1. Click on the Siri icon in the Menu Bar on your Mac or press & hold the F5 or Fn + F5 keys on your keyboard. Thus, Siri voice assistant will open to listening to your voice command. Make sure you have set up Hey Siri on Mac and Activate it using Hey Siri command on Mac.

Helpful note: If you don’t find the Siri icon in the Menu Bar, On macOS Ventura: Go to the Apple Logo > System Settings > Control Center > Show in Menu Bar for Siri. On MacOS Monterey & Earlier: go to System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar. Here, find and select Siri in the Sidebar. Then check the ‘Show in Menu Bar’ box to bring back the Siri icon.

Open Siri on Mac
Open Siri on Mac

Step 2. Now, say ‘Open Terminal’ in the microphone on your Mac. So the Siri assistant will listen to your voice command and open the Terminal app on your screen.

Method 5: Open the Terminal using the Recovery Mode

If you want to do something in the system, you can open the Terminal app in the Recovery Mode on your Mac. The following steps will show you how to open the Terminal in Recovery Mode.

For Apple Silicon Macs,

  • Step 1: If you’re using a Mac having an M1 chipset, you need to shut down your Mac first. Then press & hold the power button. So Startup Options will appear on the screen. Here, select Options > Continue.

For Intel Macs,

  • Step 1. If you’re using a Mac having an intel chipset, restart your Mac by clicking on the Apple logo at the menu bar and selecting Restart in the options.
  • When your Mac restarts, press & hold the Command + R keys to get your Mac into Recovery Mode

Step 2. Now, click the Utilities tab on the Menu Bar and select Terminal in the options. Thus, the Terminal window will open on your screen.

Pin Terminal app on the Dock

After you open the Terminal using any of the above-mentioned methods, you can pin it on the Dock. The following steps will show you how to pin the Terminal app on your Dock. 

Step 1. To pin the Terminal, right-click on the Terminal icon in the Dock.

Step 2. Go to ‘Options’, and click on ‘Keep in Dock’. Thus, the Terminal app will stay in the Dock. So you can directly access it from the Dock the next time you want.

keep-terminal-in-dock-on-mac
keep-terminal-in-dock-on-mac

FAQs

1. How to open a file on Terminal mac?

To open a file on Terminal on Mac, you must type open followed by the file’s path

For example, open ~/Desktop/filename.jpg.

2. How to open applications on Mac Terminal?

To open an application on Mac Terminal, you need to type open -a followed by the Application Name you wish to open. 

For example, open -a Skype. 

3. How to open the Terminal on Mac startup?

To open the Terminal on Mac at startup, open the Terminal app using any of the methods discussed above in the article. Then right-click on the Terminal icon in the Dock, go to options, and select Open at login

4. How to open a dmg file on a Mac Terminal?

You can open a dmg file just the way you open any file by typing open followed by the path of that file.

5. How to open another Terminal on Mac?

To open another Terminal on your Mac, right-click the Terminal icon in the Dock and select New window.

6. How to open Finder on Mac from the Terminal?

You can open Finder on Mac from the Terminal the same way as you open any application using the open -a command.

7. How to open the Terminal on Mac as admin?

You can open Terminal on Mac as admin by typing the sudo -i command. Then, you will be asked for the user password. Here, type the password that you use to log in to your Mac. Now, you will become an admin on the Terminal with a root shell.  

8. How to open the Terminal on Mac with a keyboard?

To open the Terminal on Mac with a keyboard, press the F4 or fn+F4 keys, type Terminal, and press return. The Terminal window will open on your screen.

9. How to open the Terminal on mac recovery mode?

To open Terminal on Mac Recovery Mode, refer to Method 5 mentioned in the article above.

10. How to open the Terminal on Mac in a folder?

To open the Terminal on Mac in a folder, open Finder and locate and click on the folder where you want to open the Terminal. Then click on the Finder in the Menu Bar, go to services and click on New Terminal at folder.

11. How to open the Terminal in a directory on Mac?

You can open the Terminal in a directory on Mac the same way you open it at the folder. 

12. How to open Python on the Mac terminal?

To open Python on Mac Terminal, you need to install Python on your Mac. Then, type Python in the Terminal window and hit return. Thus, the Terminal will output you as Python.

13. How to open a jar file on the Mac Terminal?

You can open a jar file on the Mac Terminal the same way you open any file. But, you must install Java Runtime on your Mac to run a jar file. Then type java -jar jarfilename.jar, and hit return. Use the name of the jar file at jarfilename in the command.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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