How to install X11 in OS X

by Ross McKillop on October 22, 2006

Mac

NOTE: As of OS X 10.5 (Leopard) X11 is installed by default. Unless you went out of your way not to install it during the Leopard installation, you’ll find it in /usr/X11

In preparation for a series of tutorials on The Gimp, this tutorial will guide you in installing X11, a required system for the Gimp to run in OS X.

This tutorial is for OS X 10.4 (Tiger). If you’re a 10.3 (Panther) user, visit this page to download X11 if it’s not on your OS X install CD.

  1. Insert your OS X Tiger Install Disc (#1). Scroll down to locate the Optional Installs icon (it’s embarrassing how long it took me to figure that out) and double-click it
  2. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  3. Click Continue on the first screen
  4. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  5. Read the Software License Agreement and then click Continue
  6. installing X11 in OSX
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  7. Click Agree
  8. installing X11 in OSX

  9. Select a location and (you guessed it) click Continue
  10. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  11. Click the small triangle directly next to Applications and then place a check in the box labeled X11. When you’re ready, click Upgrade.
  12. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  13. Enter your password when prompted, and then click OK
  14. installing X11 in OSX

  15. The installation won’t take too long
  16. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  17. After X11 has successfully installed, click Close
  18. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

  19. X11 can now be found in Applications > Utilities > X11
  20. installing X11 in OSX
    click to enlarge

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    { 22 comments… read them below or add one }

    1 jenn 12.13.06 at 12:00 am

    *thank you* for posting these directions in detail! i’ve been pulling my hair out trying to find how to install x11 for an entire day. and they are exceptionally clear. *thanks!!!*

    2 andy k. 12.14.06 at 10:11 pm

    Yo, big ups and mad respect! I can’t believe Apple doesn’t make this easier to figure out. The “scroll down” hint was key.

    thanks a million

    3 nadir 12.22.06 at 1:21 pm

    great…..thanks for the hint…I lost few hours looking for the x11.amazing how is hidden…just a scrool down.

    4 Aashna 03.13.07 at 2:04 pm

    Thanks for the info!!

    It’s so not cool that Steve Job could be so sneaky………

    5 James 03.14.07 at 7:59 am

    Thank you so much for the scroll down hint. I can’t believe that it is so hard to figure that out.

    6 Chigozie 03.15.07 at 12:16 pm

    The link to a X11 download from the apple website is outdated. However, it can be found at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/x11formacosx.html

    7 Crow 03.21.07 at 7:41 pm

    Thank you. Don’t know how I managed, but I also overlooked the “scroll down”

    Much obliged!

    8 Aaress 03.22.07 at 7:45 pm

    THANKS at ton! I’ve been wracking my brain to find x11 on my system!

    9 Kerry Sanders 04.20.07 at 3:53 pm

    Excellent! I am embarrassed to say that I did not notice that the window had other items that had to be scrolled to when I first saw it today as well. I knew that I did not want to go through the regular install, because it included all of the base OS X files. Thanks for posting these instructions!

    10 Abdi 04.28.07 at 3:09 pm

    Thanks a lot, i was really struggling with this. I have to say your instructions were an absolute life saver. Thanks again.

    11 Kiana 05.16.07 at 8:25 am

    Hi

    Thanks for the easy and straight forward (and humble) instructions. Believe it or not I also had problems finding the “Optional Installs” icon!!! They hide it well . :)

    12 bermarte 07.29.07 at 5:06 am

    Thank you, max.respect for people like you.

    13 Eric S 07.31.07 at 9:28 am

    Thanks, this was really helpful.

    14 angelina 08.07.07 at 4:37 pm

    I have X11 installed, on Mac OS 10.4.9.

    I have been trying to use GIMP and Gimpshop, with no success, I tried also to find links and sites for it but it gets hard for me to find. X11 launches all right, but Gimp doesn’t -or rather, it does, but I have no Menus (File etc).

    When Gimp is running, the only menus at the top of my screen are for X11. I cannot process any images that way.

    What is at fault? X11 or Gimp?

    Thanks

    15 james waters 08.28.07 at 12:54 pm

    looking forward to useing this site

    16 Miguel Lazu 09.16.07 at 8:53 am

    Thank You!!!!!!!!

    17 scoop 10.26.07 at 3:46 pm

    “Scroll down” !!! *smacks head*

    thx

    18 fred gannett 10.27.07 at 1:29 pm

    Install is much the same in Leopard as 10.4. X is part of the optional installs on the DVD as is Xcode.

    Gannett

    19 Ross McKillop 10.28.07 at 11:35 pm

    @fred gannett:

    Actually X11 is installed by default in Leopard. You have to go out of your way NOT to install it. Unless you’re referring to a developer built (I’ve only used the actual final/released version that came out a couple days ago).

    20 Reif 04.27.08 at 10:40 am

    OK, so I have aMacBook Pro, with no Tiger Install disk.

    How do I find the X11 installer?

    21 Ross McKillop 04.27.08 at 11:03 am

    Reif,

    To the best of my knowledge, you can’t. Apple doesn’t offer X11 for Tiger as a download (or, they didn’t as of 3-4 months ago). You need the Tiger disc.

    22 Octah 08.01.08 at 4:12 am

    Hi,
    Really good help, that is.
    Wasn’t sure where to click to get to that Installation screen, so glad you showed it in detail, thanks!

    :)

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