You’ve downloaded a font, but it still needs to be installed before you can use it in your Mac apps. Font Book handles that installation and gives you controls for sharing fonts between accounts, checking problems, and removing fonts later. Start with the downloaded file below; these menu names apply to macOS Tahoe 26.
Install a downloaded font from Finder
Locate your downloaded font in Finder. If it came in a ZIP archive, double-click the archive to extract the font files.
Double-click the .ttf or .otf font file.
Click Install.
For Microsoft 365, Office 2024, and Office 2021 for Mac, Microsoft’s macOS steps end with closing Font Book, after which the font should be available to Office. Microsoft’s overview of the same process also says to copy the font to the Windows Office Compatible folder after adding it in Font Book. Microsoft doesn’t say which setups need that extra step, so use it only if the font is missing from Office after you close Font Book.
For a drag-and-drop installation, drag the font file directly into the Font Book window.
Another option is to drag the file onto Font Book’s Dock icon, then click Install.
If double-clicking the file does not complete the installation, try the menu route in Font Book: choose File > Add Fonts to Current User, then double-click the font file.
Download optional Apple fonts
Download optional Apple fonts directly from Font Book without finding a separate font file.
- 1.Open Font Book.
- 2.Select a category in the sidebar.
- 3.Click the font’s download button, or Control-click the font and choose Download.
Choose who can use the font
When you share a Mac, the installation location determines which accounts can use a font. Set it before installing.
Open Font Book > Settings > Installation.
Set Default install location to Current User for your account alone, or All Users for every account on the Mac. Font Book stores current-user fonts in ~/Library/Fonts/ and all-users fonts in /Library/Fonts/.
Install the font using the Finder or Font Book method above.
For an all-users installation, enter an administrator’s password when requested. This installation scope requires administrator authorization.
Bring a missing font back into your app
A deactivated font needs to be activated again. Select the deactivated font or collection in Font Book.
Choose Edit > Activate.
For Figma’s desktop app, restart Figma after installing the font through Font Book. The desktop app already includes its font installer.
For Figma in a browser, install Figma’s font installer, FigmaAgent, from the official Downloads page after installing your font through Font Book.
Reload your open browser design files.
In either version of Figma, select a text layer.
Open Font in the right sidebar.
Filter by Installed by you.
If the font still does not work, try validating it in Font Book using the next section.
Check font files and resolve duplicates
To check a font file, select it through Font Book’s File > Validate File command.
For an installed font, use File > Validate Selection with that font selected in Font Book.
For duplicate installations, open File > Resolve Duplicates.
Select Resolve Automatically to let Font Book handle the duplicates, or Resolve Manually to review them yourself.
Remove a font or turn it off temporarily
Use these controls when you no longer need a non-system font. Deactivation keeps it installed so you can activate it again later; removal sends the files to the Trash.
To turn a font off, select the font or collection in Font Book.
Choose Edit > Deactivate.
Confirm with Deactivate Font or Deactivate Fonts.
To uninstall instead, select the font in Font Book.
Press Delete.
Confirm with Remove Fonts or Remove Non-System Fonts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download fonts for my Mac?
Get font files from the official Google Fonts catalog or download a family from Apple’s Fonts page. Review the accompanying license before using an Apple font.
Can I use an old PostScript Type 1 font in current Adobe apps?
Adobe ended Type 1 authoring support after January 2023. Obtain a supported replacement from the font vendor for current Adobe authoring apps.
Does adding an Adobe font also install it on my computer?
Adobe has a separate desktop installation step. After adding the font, open Creative Cloud desktop and choose Fonts > Added fonts. Click Install family or the install icon beside an individual style.
What happens when I reset fonts in Font Book?
Font Book > Settings > Advanced > Reset Fonts restores Apple’s standard font setup by moving user-installed fonts into a separate folder. Those fonts become unavailable to apps. Reinstall any you still need.