How to Install SQL Server on Mac | Install SQL Server on macOS (2026)

How to Install SQL Server on Mac | Install SQL Server on macOS (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5) | MacBook Pro, MacBook Air & iMac Installing Microsoft SQL Server on macOS can be confusing for many users, especially on Apple Silicon Macs like M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. In this video, you will learn how to install MS SQL Server on Mac step by step using a reliable and officially supported approach. This tutorial works perfectly on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac running modern versions of macOS. We start by explaining why SQL Server cannot be installed natively on macOS like it is on Windows. Since Microsoft does not provide a direct macOS installer for SQL Server, the recommended and most widely used method is to run SQL Server inside a Docker container. This approach is fully supported by Microsoft and works seamlessly on both Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon Macs. In this tutorial, you will learn how to install Docker Desktop on macOS and configure it correctly for Apple Silicon devices. We walk through pulling the official Microsoft SQL Server Docker image and running SQL Server with the required configuration, including accepting the license agreement, setting a strong SA password, and exposing the correct port for database connections. Each step is explained clearly so beginners can follow along without confusion. After SQL Server is installed and running, we demonstrate how to verify that the SQL Server container is working correctly. You will learn how to connect to SQL Server on macOS using Azure Data Studio, which is the recommended SQL client for Mac users. We show how to create a new database connection, authenticate using SQL credentials, and run basic SQL queries to confirm everything is set up properly. The video also covers common issues faced during SQL Server installation on macOS, such as password complexity errors, Docker container startup failures, port conflicts, and connection problems. Practical troubleshooting tips are shared to help you fix these issues quickly. This guide is ideal for students, backend developers, database administrators, and anyone who wants to use Microsoft SQL Server on macOS for learning, development, or testing. Whether you are switching from Windows to Mac or working in a cross-platform environment, this tutorial gives you a clean and reliable SQL Server setup. By the end of this video, you will have MS SQL Server successfully installed and running on your Mac, fully compatible with Apple Silicon chips and ready for real-world database development. If this video helped you, don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with others who want to install SQL Server on macOS. #SQLServer #MSSQL #macOS #AppleSilicon #M1 #M2 #M3 #M4 #M5 #MacBookPro #MacBookAir #iMac #Docker #AzureDataStudio #Database #BackendDevelopment #SQLTutorial #DeveloperSetup #ProgrammingTutorial