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Start MATLAB on macOS Platforms

To view supported macOS operating systems, see Mac System Requirements.

Choose one of these ways to start MATLAB®.

When you start MATLAB, it automatically adds the userpath folder to the search path. MATLAB also reopens any desktop components that were open when you last shut down.

To customize startup, see Specify Startup Options.

The MATLAB startup folder is the folder you are in when you get the MATLAB prompt. To change the default startup folder, see MATLAB Startup Folder.

If MATLAB fails to start due to a problem with required system components such as Java® software, then diagnostics run automatically. The software advises you of the problem and offers suggestions to correct it. For information about other startup problems, see Installation and Licensing.

Start from Applications Folder

  • Double-click the MATLAB icon in the matlabroot folder. Replace matlabroot with the name of the folder in which you installed MATLAB.

The startup folder is the last working folder from the previous MATLAB session or the custom path specified in the Initial working folder preference. The Initial working folder preference is located in the General Preferences page of the Preferences window.

Start from Terminal Window

  • To start from the Terminal window, you need to know the value of matlabroot, the full path to the folder where MATLAB is installed. If you do not know the path, then open MATLAB from the Applications folder, type matlabroot, and note the value. Exit MATLAB.

  • Open a Terminal window.

  • Navigate to the following location from your terminal window:

    matlabroot/bin
  • Start MATLAB.

    ./matlab

The startup folder is the MATLAB installation folder.

MATLAB or MATLAB Runtime for Apple Silicon Requires Java Runtime

When MATLAB or MATLAB Runtime for Apple silicon does not find a supported JRE™, the program displays a dialog box about requiring a Java Runtime. For information about this requirement and the recommended solution, see https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/apple-silicon.html.

See Also

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