Installing R and RStudio is the starting point for learning R programming language. This article shows you the easy and simple way to install/update R and RStudio on Mac operating system.

If you are a Windows user and want to install/update R and RStudio on Windows operating system then check my another article Install or Update R and RStudio on Windows Operating System.

Installing R

For installing R on Mac perform the following steps:

1. Go to page R for MAC OS X to download the R installer, .
2. Download the Latest release of R for Mac (e.g. R-4.0.2.pkg).
3. After downloading the file, double-click to install. In the installation window, just click "Next" to all dialogs to finish the installation.

Installing RStudio

For installing RStudio on Mac perform the following steps:

1. Go to page Download RStudio to download the RStudio installer, .
2. Download the latest release of RStudio for Mac (e.g. RStudio-1.3.1073.dmg).
3. After downloading the file, double click to install. In the installation window, just click "Next" to all dialogs to finish the installation.

Verify R Version

You can check the R version by opening the RStudio. At the top of the console you will see the R version. For example,

R version 4.0.2 (2020-06-22)

Or, simply type R.version.string on the RStudio console to see the R version. For example,

> R.version.string
[1] "R version 4.0.2 (2020-06-22)"

Alternatively, you can also check R version by using Terminal. Open Terminal. Type $ r --version command, then you will see the R version. For example,

$ r --version
R version 4.0.2 (2020-06-22)

Updating R

You can simply download and install the latest version of R to update R on Mac, .

For updating R on Mac, perform the following steps:

1. Go to page R for MAC OS X to download the R installer, .
2. Download the Latest release of R for Mac (e.g. R-4.0.2.pkg).
3. After downloading the file, double-click to install. In the installation window, just click "Next" to all dialogs to finish the installation.

After installation of R, restart your RStudio, it will automatically use the updated version of R. Awesome!

Updating RStudio

For updating RStudio on Mac, perform the following steps.

1. Open RStudio, and go to Help > Check for Updates. This will redirect to RStudio download page.
2. If newer version available, download the latest release of RStudio for Mac (e.g. RStudio-1.3.1073.dmg).
3. After downloading the file, double click to install. In the installation window, just click "Next" to all dialogs to finish the installation.

By the way, if you want to update packages, from the RStudio go to Tools > Check for Package Updates. If updates are available, select all (or, select the specific packages you want to update), and click install updates.

Concluding Remarks

That's all about installing or updating R and RStudio on Mac. I personally found these steps easier and simpler. Hope you will find the same!

Happy R coding!