Skip to main content
SysAdmin Shell Scripting Essentials

Install wget on macOS — Verified Syntax, Flags & Troubleshooting

3 min read

macos install wget refers to adding the GNU Wget HTTP/HTTPS/FTP download utility to macOS via Homebrew, MacPorts, or manual compilation from source.

brew install wget [--with-libressl] [--HEAD]

Syntax

# Homebrew (recommended)
brew install wget [--with-libressl] [--HEAD]

# MacPorts
sudo port install wget

# Compile from source
curl -O http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/wget/wget-1.21.4.tar.gz
tar -xzf wget-1.21.4.tar.gz
cd wget-1.21.4
./configure --with-ssl=openssl
make
sudo make install

Options and Flags

Flag Type Default Description
--with-libressl brew option N/A Link against LibreSSL instead of OpenSSL (Homebrew only; deprecated in recent versions).
--with-ssl=openssl configure flag auto Force use of OpenSSL for SSL/TLS support.
--HEAD brew option N/A Install from the latest development commit (unstable).
--with-libssl-prefix configure flag system Specify custom path to OpenSSL libraries when compiling.
-O wget runtime flag N/A Output downloaded file with the same name as the remote file.
-a wget runtime flag N/A Append output to log file.
-c wget runtime flag N/A Resume interrupted download.
-p wget runtime flag N/A Download all page assets (page requisites).
-s wget runtime flag N/A Show server response headers.
See also  PowerShell Array Syntax and Troubleshooting Reference

Usage Examples

1. Homebrew – Quick Install

brew install wget

Installs the latest stable bottle (pre‑compiled binary) for your macOS version. Homebrew resolves dependencies (e.g., OpenSSL, zlib) automatically.

2. Compile with Custom OpenSSL Path

./configure --with-libssl-prefix=/usr/local/ssl --with-ssl=openssl
make
sudo make install

Use when a specific OpenSSL version is required (e.g., FIPS‑compliant). Common in enterprise environments.

3. Install Development Branch with LibreSSL

brew install wget --HEAD --with-libressl

Pulls the latest Git commit and compiles against LibreSSL. Note: --with-libressl may be ignored in newer Homebrew versions.

4. Resume and Download Page Assets

wget -c -p https://example.com/largefile.iso
wget -s https://example.com

-c resumes partial transfers; -p fetches all assets; -s shows server headers.

Troubleshooting & Common Errors

Error Message Root Cause Resolution Command
Warning: wget: this formula has no --with-libressl option so it will be ignored! Homebrew deprecated the option. Remove the flag: brew install wget
Error: wget-1.19.1 already installed, it's just not linked Another version is installed but not symlinked. brew link --overwrite wget
configure: error: --with-ssl=openssl was given, but SSL is not available OpenSSL headers not installed. brew install openssl then re‑configure with --with-libssl-prefix=$(brew --prefix openssl)
Error: Failed to download resource "wget" Network issue or Homebrew core outdated. brew update then retry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between installing wget via Homebrew and MacPorts on macOS?

Answer: Homebrew installs to /usr/local, MacPorts to /opt/local. Homebrew is faster due to binary caching. MacPorts offers stricter dependency management.

brew install wget
sudo port install wget

When should I use the –with-ssl flag during the Homebrew wget installation?

Answer: Use --with-ssl=openssl to explicitly link wget against OpenSSL. By default, Homebrew wget uses its own OpenSSL. To switch to LibreSSL (deprecated): brew install wget --with-libressl. Verify SSL backend with wget --version | grep SSL.

Does wget installed via Homebrew work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) and Intel?

Answer: Yes. On Apple Silicon, Homebrew installs in /opt/homebrew. Verify binary architecture with file $(which wget).

What is the fastest way to install wget on macOS?

Answer: Use Homebrew: brew install wget. First install Homebrew if missing: /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)".