# Install BeamDisk

> Install BeamDisk on a Mac with Apple Silicon, turn it on in System Settings, and allow it to attach disks and use the local network. No kernel extension, no restart.

BeamDisk is a Mac App Store app for Macs with Apple Silicon on macOS 27 or later. It needs no kernel extension, no restart and no change to your Mac's security settings. Setting it up takes three permissions, each asked for once.

## Install and turn it on

1. Install BeamDisk from the Mac App Store (during the beta, from TestFlight: see [Download](https://beamdisk.app/download/)), then open it. Its window opens, and its item appears in the menu bar.
2. The window shows **Turn on BeamDisk in System Settings, so it can connect your disks.** Click **Open System Settings** and switch on **BeamDisk**. When you come back, BeamDisk sees the change by itself.
3. [Add your first disk](https://beamdisk.app/docs/getting-started/add-a-disk/). If macOS asks whether BeamDisk may find devices on your local network, click **Allow**: that's how BeamDisk reaches your server.
4. The first time BeamDisk connects, the window shows **Allow BeamDisk to attach your disks. You only need to do this once.** Click **Allow…** and confirm.

That's all. There's nothing to install in the system and nothing to restart, and your disks appear in Finder.

## Open at login

To have your disks connect when you log in, turn on **Open at Login** in BeamDisk's Settings → General, or in the quick menu. If macOS asks, approve BeamDisk in System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions. Each disk also has its own **Connect at login** switch: see [Connect, eject and remove disks](https://beamdisk.app/docs/disks/connect-and-eject/).

## If you skipped a step

- **BeamDisk is off in System Settings.** The window's banner and the quick menu's first item, **Turn On BeamDisk in System Settings…**, take you there.
- **Local network access was refused.** Add Disk says **BeamDisk isn't allowed to use the local network.** Turn BeamDisk on in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network, then try again.
- **Allow… was cancelled.** The banner stays until you allow it, and BeamDisk can't attach disks meanwhile.

## Next

- [Add your first disk](https://beamdisk.app/docs/getting-started/add-a-disk/)
- [A quick tour](https://beamdisk.app/docs/getting-started/first-look/)