Beginner's Guide to Install TYPO3 on macOS (MAMP)

Published on : 10 Jun 2025

Sanjay Chauhan

TYPO3 Install

Beginner's Guide to Install TYPO3 on macOS (MAMP)

Tired of complicated TYPO3 setups on your MacOS? If you're a TYPO3 beginner or developer using macOS, you’ve probably struggled with setting up Apache, MySQL, and PHP manually. It can be confusing, time-consuming, and frustrating—especially if you're just trying to test or build a TYPO3 website quickly.

That’s where MAMP comes in. it gives you everything you need to run TYPO3 locally, all in one app. No need to mess with command-line tools or custom server settings.

Wait ! Before moving further, are you considering launching or hosting your TYPO3 site on another platform? We recommend checking out our TYPO3 Installation Series below for step-by-step guides on various platforms.

Let’s dive in and build a powerful, secure TYPO3 environment — the right way — on MacOS.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install TYPO3 on your Mac using MAMP step-by-step —without the need for a Linux server or expensive hosting.

Let’s get started!

What is MAMP?

MAMP (Mac, Apache, MySQL, PHP) is the macOS equivalent of XAMPP, bundling all the essentials into a single package. It lets you run TYPO3 locally on your Mac with minimal hassle—great for development, prototyping, or simply exploring TYPO3’s features.

Download MAMP

What is TYPO3?

TYPO3 is a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS) built to help businesses and organizations create, manage, and grow their websites. It was founded in 1997 by Kasper Skårhøj and has since become one of the most popular CMS platforms—especially across Europe.

TYPO3 is written in PHP and uses TypoScript, a powerful configuration language that allows for advanced customization and flexibility. You don’t need any special software—TYPO3 runs in your browser and outputs content using standard HTML and JavaScript.

Whether you’re running a small business site, a university portal, or a large enterprise website, TYPO3 can scale to fit your needs.

Imagine an enterprise CMS that evolves as your project grows—without piling on complexity. That’s TYPO3 for you! It’s an open-source powerhouse that excels at:

here are the key reasons that TYPO3 Developers, marketers, and agencies trust TYPO3 for its:

Modularity: Make your website do exactly what you need. No more, no less.
Security & Stability: Regular LTS (Long-Term Support) releases help you stay secure for years.
Scalability: From a tiny local site to a massive global platform, TYPO3 can handle it.
Community-Driven Development: Enjoy a lively global community that refines and evolves TYPO3 continuously.

Did You Know? TYPO3 powers over 500,000+ active websites around the world!

Why use TYPO3?

TYPO3 offers advanced features like granular user roles, multisite management, and a strong ecosystem of extensions. It’s perfect for businesses and agencies that need scalability and long-term support.

Why Run TYPO3 on MAMP?

User-Friendly: GUI-driven approach for starting/stopping Apache & MySQL on macOS.
Local Development: Perfect for macOS-based devs who want a quick test bed without a Linux VM.
Preconfigured Environment: Minimal manual setup required; MAMP includes standard PHP modules.
Easy Migration: Move your local site to a production server later with minimal fuss.

Requirements to Run TYPO3 on MAMP

System Requirements

macOS Version: macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or higher
RAM: Minimum 4 GB (8 GB recommended for smoother experience)
Disk Space: At least 1–2 GB free for MAMP and TYPO3 files

Software Requirements

MAMP (Free or Pro version)
MAMP includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP preconfigured
Download from https://www.mamp.info
PHP Version - TYPO3 v12: Requires PHP 8.1 or TYPO3 v11: Requires PHP 7.4 – 8.1
MySQL or MariaDB - MAMP includes MySQL (usually version 5.7 or higher works fine)
Apache Web Server - Enabled by default in MAMP

TYPO3 Versions & Support Roadmap

Before diving in, note TYPO3’s release cycles:

LTS (Long-Term Support): Typically three years of updates per major release.
ELTS (Extended LTS): Paid option if you need extra time beyond standard LTS.

Staying on a currently supported LTS means you’ll get important security patches and feature improvements.

View Roadmap

TYPO3 Version & PHP Compatibility for Composer Install

1. PHP & TYPO3 Compatibility

TYPO3 Version	PHP Versions	Status
9 ELTS	7.2–7.4	Active ELTS
10 ELTS	7.2–7.4	Active ELTS
11 ELTS	7.4, 8.0	Active ELTS
12 LTS	8.1–8.4	Active ELTS
13 LTS	8.2–8.4	Active ELTS

2. System Requirements

Web Server: Apache or Nginx
Database: MariaDB/MySQL recommended
Composer: Recommended for a smoother TYPO3 experience

Always verify with TYPO3’s official System requirements to ensure you’re up to date.

Composer vs Classic TYPO3 Installation

Diagram Explanation:

Composer automates versioning, dependency management, and updates.
Classic is manual but sometimes easier on hosts without CLI access.

Architecture of MAMP & TYPO3

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing TYPO3 on MAMP

Step 1. Download & Install MAMP

Get MAMP from the official site.
Install to /Applications/MAMP.
Start Servers: Launch MAMP, click “Start” to run Apache & MySQL.

Step 2. Create Database

phpMyAdmin: Access at http:// localhost:8888 /phpMyAdmin (default MAMP port might be 8888).
Create typo3db, add user typo3user with password supersecret.

Step 3. Adjust PHP Settings if Needed

MAMP often includes multiple PHP versions. Choose the recommended one for TYPO3 (e.g., 8.1+).
Enable necessary extensions (gd, mbstring, intl, etc.) in MAMP’s PHP preferences, if they aren’t active by default.

Step 4. Obtain TYPO3

Classic (Zip) approach is simplest:
Download TYPO3 zip.
Unzip to /Applications/MAMP/htdocs/typo3cms.
Ensure your DocumentRoot points there in MAMP settings (or just navigate to http:// localhost:8888/ typo3cms/public).

Step 5. Access TYPO3 Install Wizard

Go to http:// localhost: 8888 /typo3cms /public:

Enter DB details: host localhost, db typo3db, user typo3user, pass supersecret.
Create an admin account.
Login to http:// localhost: 8888 /typo3cms/public/ typo3 to manage the backend.

How to Start TYPO3 Installation Wizard

Once all server configurations are complete, it’s time to finish the setup through the TYPO3 Installation Wizard. This user-friendly, step-by-step wizard helps you finalize the installation process directly in your browser.

Step 1. Check the System Environment (detect if any issues)

TYPO3 will scan your server for required PHP extensions, folder permissions, and system settings. Fix any issues listed before proceeding,

Step 2. Setup Your Database Credentials

Enter the database name, username, and password you created earlier. TYPO3 will use this to store your content and configurations.

Step 3. Choose an Existing Database or Create a New

Select an existing empty database or let TYPO3 create a new one for you.

Step 4. Create backend user & Site

Set up the backend administrator account. Make sure to choose a secure password—you’ll use this to log into the TYPO3 dashboard.

Step 5. Installation Process Start

Define your site name and initial setup options. You can also choose to load a distribution or start with a blank site.

You did it! Now you have a running TYPO3 site on AWS.

Step 6. Get Start with Backend Login

TYPO3 will complete the setup and redirect you to the backend login page.

DevOps Tips for Running TYPO3 on MAMP

1. Use Composer for TYPO3 Installation

Why: Composer handles dependencies cleanly and mirrors real-world TYPO3 production setups.
Tip: Avoid manual installation via .zip or .tar.gz; use composer create-project to keep your project structured and maintainable.

2. Match PHP Version with TYPO3 Compatibility

Why: Mismatched PHP versions can lead to critical errors.
Tip: Set the correct PHP version in MAMP → Preferences → PHP tab (e.g., PHP 8.1 for TYPO3 v12).

3. Configure Virtual Hosts in MAMP Pro

Why: Simulates real hosting environments with custom domain-like URLs (e.g., typo3.local).
Tip: Add virtual host entries in MAMP Pro and edit your macOS /etc/hosts file accordingly.

4. Enable TYPO3 Development Context

Why: Enables error reporting, debug logs, and dev-friendly settings.
Tip: Set TYPO3_CONTEXT=Development in your LocalConfiguration.php or .htaccess.

5. Use Shared Database Configs via ENV Variables

Why: Makes it easy to switch environments (local, staging, production).
Tip: Set DB credentials using .env files and the DDEV or dotenv packages.

Give A Try - Download & Install TYPO3

Visit get.typo3.org for comprehensive details on the release, including how to download and install TYPO3. The Installation Guide provides in-depth instructions for the installation process.

Install TYPO3

Conclusion

MAMP on macOS is an excellent choice for getting started with TYPO3 quickly in a local environment. You’ll enjoy a GUI-based experience for managing Apache and MySQL, with minimal setup overhead. It’s perfect for development, testing, and learning TYPO3 before deploying to a more robust production environment.

Happy TYPO3ing on MAMP!

FAQ for Install TYPO3 on MAMP

In MAMP > Preferences > Ports, set Apache to 80 and MySQL to 3306 if desired.

Create separate folders in htdocs (e.g., typo3cms1, typo3cms2), each with its own DB.

Yes, MAMP > Preferences > PHP. Make sure to pick a version compatible with TYPO3.

Sure. Install Composer via Homebrew (brew install composer) or from the official installer. Then run composer create-project ... inside htdocs.

Generally no. MAMP is primarily a local development environment. For production, consider a dedicated server or cloud service.

Verify the folder structure. Make sure the public folder is inside typo3cms, and MAMP’s DocumentRoot is pointing to htdocs.

MAMP Pro supports SSL configuration. For the free version, custom SSL setup can be more involved (modifying config files manually).

Typically in /Applications/MAMP/logs/. Check php_error.log or apache_error.log for detailed info.