HomeHow to TipsWhat is DMG File And How to Open It
In computing world, DMG or (Disk Image File) is a file extension that belongs to Mac OS X. DMG file can also be termed as Apple Disk Image. The icon used equivalent to this file is an Internal Hard-drive. Disk Images are generally used worldwide in-order to distribute applications and software across the Internet. DMG file provides some attractive features that allow securing password along with file compression.
These virtual or physical Apple disks can be cloned from one to another. This is one of the powerful features of Mac.
These virtual or physical Apple disks can be cloned from one to another. This is one of the powerful features of Mac.
I just got my first Macbook Pro yesterday and one of the first thing I did was to download and install Mozilla Firefox web browser onto my laptop. After I dragged the firefox icon to the application folder, everything was fine except I was left with a 'Firefox 15.0.1.dmg' file that I didn't know what to do. Once Z-7ip is installed, find the DMG file you want to work with in File Explorer and right-click on it. In this case we're using some of Apple's free system fonts as an example. Mouse over '7-Zip'. Mount using Disk Utility. You can also mount DMG file using Disk Utility application available in Mac OS. Look for Disk Utility using Launcher and launch it. After that select File-Open Disk Image in the main menu and choose DMG file you want to mount. Resize DMG Files. Right click DMG File Click Get Info (View the original size). Open Disk Utility Select Images TabClick on ResizeSelect the DMG file to be resized. Click on Open Type the file size to be reducedSelect ResizeDone; In Windows: Originally, DMG files are the default Disk Image file for Mac. Sep 10, 2015 Burn DMG file in Windows to bootable macOS DVD disc - Duration: 4:43. Cannot Open.dmg Files on Mac (No Mountable file systems)? Here is Solution - Duration: 0:50.
Tip: If you want to open and view DMG files of Apple Mac OS X so, you can try DMG Viewer tool.
Why DMG Files Are Created?
Earlier, Mac applications made use of Resource fork. These are the part of file system on Mac Operating System, which consists of both the structured data and non-structured data. Mac could not transfer these Resource forks over the mixed networks. Hence, the usage of Resource fork dwindled and this was the reason that Apple created disk image formats(DMG). The Resource forks are very important as they contain Meta data regarding the file.
Mounting and Dismounting on Mac OS
It is equivalent to plugging in a removable drive, where E drive is automatically created and while removing one chooses ‘Safely Remove Device’. Similarly, you have to eject the Mac drive for both the virtual and physical.
Two Disk Formats supported are:
Two Disk Formats supported are:
- NDIF
This was previously used as the default format of Mac, also known as New Disk Format. These files generally have an .img file extension. - UDIF
The native disk format of Apple Mac DMG file is UDIF (Universal Disk Image Format) with a file extension of .dmg.
MIME Type of DMG File:
application/x-apple-diskimage.
application/x-apple-diskimage.
Supported File Systems
- Hierarchical File System (HFS) – This was developed by Apple Inc. for the systems supporting Mac OS. Earlier, these file systems were used in floppy disks and hard disks but later were used to read CD-ROM as well. It is known as Mac OS Standard.
- HFS Plus – It was developed after HFS, which is an extension of the same. It is known as Mac OS Extended.
- File Allocation Table (FAT) – It is a file system generally compatible with all file systems and helps in exchange of data between systems.
- ISO9960 – This is also a file system which was issued by ISO (International Organization for Standard) supporting various OS and helps in exchange of data.
- Universal Disk Format –This is a file system usually used to store broadcast media like DVD and optical disk formats.
How to Open DMG Files?
In Mac:
- When you download a Disk image, all the applications in it must be copied to the Application files, because many of these files will be in read-only format. Running these files inside the drives may produce some erroneous results.
- Double clicking the DMG File will open the file and you can view the contents in it. It might be images, documents, programs, etc.
- The DMG File consists of an application file. You can simply drag and drop to install them. If there is a possibility of having an installer, you can run these files instead of installing.
- Right-click on the File >> “Eject” (click on virtual disk instead of, original file)
Delete the old DMG Files after installing. The reason is old files may take more space when we install new programs.
Resize DMG Files
- Right click DMG File >> Click Get Info (View the original size).
- Open Disk Utility >>Select Images Tab>Click on Resize>>Select the DMG file to be resized.
- Click on Open >>Type the file size to be reduced>>Select Resize>>Done
In Windows:
Originally, DMG files are the default Disk Image file for Mac. Hence, they can be opened only on Mac OS.
Since there are no manual methods available to view the DMG Files in Windows, users can install external third-party software available online on Internet. DMG Viewer is one of the tools from such category.
The software provides you with the following features:
Originally, DMG files are the default Disk Image file for Mac. Hence, they can be opened only on Mac OS.
Since there are no manual methods available to view the DMG Files in Windows, users can install external third-party software available online on Internet. DMG Viewer is one of the tools from such category.
The software provides you with the following features:
- Open DMG File in Windows OS based machine
- Read: Corrupt, Password Protected & Encrypted DMG
- Recover permanently deleted files from DMG
- Search a specific file type in large DMG Format Files
Conclusion
Considering the ongoing necessity to view DMG files, we have described a manual process to let the users understand how to open & view DMG files. Else, users can take the help of a reliable third-party tool named as DMG Viewer. It is the best application that helps to read .dmg files in Windows OS. Users can use any approach as per their choice.
Mac OS X Apps which are not present on Mac AppStore are generally distributed in either .pkg or .dmg formats. However, many users find it difficult to install them due to their unfamiliarity with the .dmg format. Here’s a simple tutorial which will guide you on How you can easily install apps packaged in .dmg format on your Mac OS X machine (iMac & Macbook) . This method works on all Mac OS X versions (Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite & El Capitano as well) . Read on more for the complete tutorial.
Method to Install .dmg Format Apps on Mac OS X –
How To Open Dmg File On Macbook Windows 7
Pre-Requisites –
- The .dmg File of the App you want to install. Download & Save the .dmg file in any folder.
- Non-Guest User account access in Mac OS X (Any User account with app-install permissions or Administrator account).
- In our Example, We will be using the Opera browser .dmg file to demonstrate the installation process.
Steps to Install .dmg Apps in Mac OS X –
- Navigate to your .dmg file in Finder and double-Click on it.
- Now, Depending upon the source from where the app was obtained, OS X may start the installation process or it might block the installation of App with the error “unidentified developer” . Click here for solution to “unidentified error” for your .dmg app .
- If you didn’t get the error, You will see an installer / or the app will install its image onto your homescreen (.dmg are basically app image files).
- Now, you’ll see the App Image (with a disc type icon) on to your Homescreen on Mac as show below –App After its Dmg File installedInstalling the Dmg file doesn’t mean its installed, You will need to drag the App Icon image to the “Applications” folder for it to function properly.
- Dragging App Icon to Applications Folder – Launch the App by double clicking the App Image icon. It will open a window as shown in the image below-Drag App Icon on to the Applications FolderNow Click and drag the App Icon on to the “Applications” folder. i.e from Position 1. to Position 2. in the above image.
- Once you drag the Application App Image icon on to the Applications folder, it will be installed & will now be visible inside the Applications folder as shown below –If you see the your App Icon without disk image background , You have installed the .dmg app successfully! .
- Simply Double-click the App Icon inside the Applications folder to launch your Application program.
So, this is one of the most simple methods to install .dmg application programs on Mac OS X. Some apps may require a further tweaking but this will get the job done 99 times. If you face any issues or encounter any problems feel free to comment.