# How to Install OpenLogi on macOS: Complete Setup Guide for Logitech Options+ Alternative

> Install OpenLogi on macOS easily via GitHub or Homebrew. Get this powerful Logitech Options+ alternative running quickly with our complete setup guide.

- Repository: [Xuan Zhang/OpenLogi](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-08

---

**Install OpenLogi on macOS by downloading the notarized DMG from GitHub releases or using Homebrew (`brew install --cask openlogi`), then granting Input Monitoring, Camera, and Microphone permissions on first launch.**

OpenLogi is a native, local-first replacement for Logitech Options+ built specifically for macOS. This guide explains how to install OpenLogi on macOS using either the official DMG installer or Homebrew, complete with post-installation configuration derived from the AprilNEA/OpenLogi source code.

## Before You Begin: Disable Logitech Options+

Before you install OpenLogi on macOS, you must completely quit Logitech Options+. The two applications contend for exclusive access to HID++ devices, and running both simultaneously causes connection conflicts. As documented in the repository README (lines 84-86), ensure Options+ is fully exited before launching OpenLogi.

## Method 1: Install OpenLogi on macOS Using the Notarized DMG

The recommended approach for installing OpenLogi on macOS uses the signed, notarized DMG from the latest GitHub release. This ensures you receive an official build with proper Apple code signing.

1. Navigate to the latest release page on the AprilNEA/OpenLogi repository.
2. Download the `OpenLogi.dmg` file.
3. Open the DMG and drag **OpenLogi.app** into your `/Applications` folder.

These steps are documented in the repository's README under the macOS installation section (lines 87-99).

For automated installation via command line, you can download and mount the DMG using these terminal commands:

```bash

# Download the latest DMG

curl -L -o OpenLogi.dmg \
  "$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/releases/latest \
  | jq -r '.assets[] | select(.name|endswith(".dmg")) .browser_download_url')"

# Mount and install

hdiutil attach OpenLogi.dmg
cp -R "/Volumes/OpenLogi/OpenLogi.app" /Applications/
hdiutil detach "/Volumes/OpenLogi"

```

## Method 2: Install OpenLogi on macOS Using Homebrew

For users who prefer package management, OpenLogi is available as a Homebrew Cask. This method simplifies updates through the `brew upgrade` command.

Install directly from the main Homebrew repository:

```bash
brew install --cask openlogi

```

Alternatively, track the latest upstream releases using the maintainer's tap:

```bash
brew tap aprilnea/tap
brew install --cask aprilnea/tap/openlogi@latest

```

These installation commands correspond to the Homebrew instructions in the README (lines 93-105).

## Understanding the OpenLogi Architecture on macOS

OpenLogi employs a three-process architecture to handle device management while respecting macOS security boundaries:

- **OpenLogi GUI** (`OpenLogi.app`): The main application hosting the configuration interface and delegating to the agent. The implementation resides in [`crates/openlogi-desktop/src/lib.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-desktop/src/lib.rs).
- **OpenLogi Agent**: A background service that owns the HID++ device connection, handles DPI changes, SmartShift, and button events. The agent entry point is in [`crates/openlogi-agent/src/main.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-agent/src/main.rs), and it communicates with the GUI via a local-socket IPC layer.
- **OpenLogi Overlay**: A thin client that renders the cursor-centered Actions Ring, implemented in [`crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs) (lines 4-42).

This separation allows the Agent to run with the necessary entitlements for hardware access while keeping the UI in user space.

## Post-Installation: Granting macOS Permissions

Because OpenLogi requires low-level hardware access, you must grant specific entitlements on first launch. The permission workflow is handled by the macOS permissions module in [`crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs) (lines 31-66).

Grant the following permissions when prompted:

- **Input Monitoring**: Allows the Agent to capture button events from your Logitech device via HID++.
- **Camera**: Required by the Overlay ([`crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs)) for video capture integration when rendering the Actions Ring.
- **Microphone**: Enables audio input handling for specific device features.

Without these permissions, the Agent cannot control your device and the Overlay cannot display correctly.

## Verifying the Installation

You can verify that the Agent is running and communicating with the GUI using the IPC client. The following Rust example demonstrates checking agent status using the IPC contract defined in the codebase:

```rust
// Example: checking agent status from Rust (uses the IPC contract)
use openlogi_ipc::client::OpenLogiClient;
let mut client = OpenLogiClient::connect().await?;
let status = client.get_status().await?;
println!("Agent running: {}", status.running);

```

If the installation succeeded, this returns `true` and confirms the background service is operational.

## Summary

- **Download the DMG** from GitHub releases or **use Homebrew** (`brew install --cask openlogi`) to install OpenLogi on macOS.
- **Quit Logitech Options+** before installing to prevent HID++ device access conflicts.
- **Grant Input Monitoring, Camera, and Microphone permissions** on first launch; these are requested by the permissions handler in [`crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs).
- The application uses a **three-process architecture** (GUI, Agent, Overlay) to manage devices and render the Actions Ring overlay.
- Verify installation by checking that the Agent responds to IPC calls from the GUI.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I run OpenLogi alongside Logitech Options+ on macOS?

No. OpenLogi and Logitech Options+ cannot run simultaneously because both require exclusive access to HID++ devices. According to the README (lines 84-86), you must quit Logitech Options+ before launching OpenLogi. Running both applications will result in device connection failures and unresponsive hardware.

### Why does OpenLogi request Camera and Microphone permissions on macOS?

The **OpenLogi Overlay** component ([`crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-overlay/src/platform.rs)) requires Camera access to capture video for the cursor-centered Actions Ring rendering. The permissions module in [`crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs) (lines 31-66) handles these requests during first launch. While Microphone access is requested, it enables specific audio-related device features in the HID++ protocol.

### How do I update OpenLogi after installing it on macOS?

If you installed via Homebrew, run `brew upgrade --cask openlogi` to update to the latest release. For DMG installations, download the latest `OpenLogi.dmg` from GitHub releases and replace the existing application in `/Applications`. The application does not include a built-in auto-updater, so manual replacement or Homebrew management is required.

### Is the OpenLogi macOS installer signed and notarized?

Yes. The official DMG releases are signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, ensuring they pass Gatekeeper validation on macOS. When installing via Homebrew, you receive the same notarized binary. The open-source nature of the AprilNEA/OpenLogi repository allows verification of the security implementations in [`crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-permissions/src/macos.rs) and the Agent's main entry point in [`crates/openlogi-agent/src/main.rs`](https://github.com/AprilNEA/OpenLogi/blob/main/crates/openlogi-agent/src/main.rs).