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Last active November 29, 2025 20:33
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how to install Okular viewer on macOS Big Sur, using M1/Apple Silicon/arm64
  1. Install homebrew from https://brew.sh/ (follow the instructions there)
  2. tap the https://invent.kde.org/packaging/homebrew-kde/ repo, brew tap kde-mac/kde https://invent.kde.org/packaging/homebrew-kde.git
  3. brew edit okular, workaround now is to comment out or delete the line depends_on "chmlib" (won't compile on macos arm64 for now as of 2021-08-18), then save (if using vim you need to first press i to insert/type, when saving then <esc> then :wq then <enter>.
  4. brew install okular, wait for stuff to compile and/or install
  5. It may ask for keychain credentials (to sign the binaries? because of mac arm64 security policy https://eclecticlight.co/2021/01/26/when-you-dont-have-permission-to-run-an-app-on-an-m1-mac/)
  6. $(brew --repo kde-mac/kde)/tools/do-caveats.sh
  7. Now okular is in your $HOME/Applications/KDE folder, and will show up in Launchpad! You can view pdf, djvu, etc documents.

Edit: as of 2025 there is now a precompiled nightly binary available for download at https://okular.kde.org/download/, or at https://cdn.kde.org/ci-builds/graphics/okular/master/macos-arm64/. It is unsigned so use sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/okular.app to bypass quarantine after install.

@DavidInRacine
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I once tried to download your file, but it is expired now.

I am happy to help another Mac user if you contact me via Github mail. It's FOSS software, so the .dmg file belongs to you as much as to me.

By any chance did you try using a CUPS print driver? That might be another theoretical path to success.

@DavidInRacine
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I meant I tried running the .dmg file of another version, but I coult not print.

Sadly, Okular does not appear to offer an in-app update option. We may be stuck with Version 25.11.70 until a newer .pdf gets uploaded somewhere.

I seldom use Okular, so it's not something I invest much time or effort in, but I like the consistency of a cross-platform FOSS app when I need it.

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