How to Install WordPress on a Mac System Using XAMPP: A Step-by-Step Guide

WordPress is a versatile content management system (CMS) that you can easily install on your Mac using XAMPP, an open-source local server environment. XAMPP includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP, which are essential for running WordPress. This guide will show you how to install and set up WordPress on macOS using XAMPP.

Step 1: Download and Install XAMPP

1. Download XAMPP
   Visit the XAMPP website and download the macOS version of XAMPP.
2. Install XAMPP

• Open the downloaded file and drag the XAMPP application to your Applications folder.
• Launch XAMPP and click on “Start” for both Apache and MySQL to ensure the server is running.

Step 2: Set Up Your Local Server Environment

1. Access the XAMPP Application

• Open the XAMPP application and ensure both Apache and MySQL are running.
• Click “Go to Application” or open the server at http://localhost in your browser.

2. Navigate to the htdocs Directory

• Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and find XAMPP.
• Inside the XAMPP folder, navigate to the htdocs directory. This is where you’ll store your WordPress files.

Step 3: Download WordPress

1. Get the WordPress Package

• Visit the official WordPress website and download the latest version.

2. Extract and Move WordPress Files

• Extract the downloaded WordPress zip file.
• Move the extracted folder into the htdocs directory (e.g., rename the folder to webdev).

Step 4: Create a Database

1. Access phpMyAdmin

• Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
• phpMyAdmin is a tool for managing MySQL databases.

2. Create a New Database

• Click on the Databases tab.
• Enter a name for your database (e.g., webdev) and click Create.

Step 5: Configure WordPress

1. Launch the WordPress Installer

• Open your browser and go to http://localhost/wordpress.
• You’ll see the WordPress setup wizard.

1. Enter Database Details

• Database Name: The name of the database you created (e.g., webdev).
• Username: root (default for XAMPP).
• Password: Leave this blank (default for XAMPP).
• Database Host: localhost.
• Table Prefix: Use wp_ unless you have specific preferences.

1. Run the Installation

• Click “Submit” and then “Run the Installation.”
• Follow the prompts to set up your site title, admin username, password, and email address.

Step 6: Access Your Local WordPress Site

Once the installation is complete:

• Visit http://localhost/webdev to view your site.
• Log in to the WordPress admin panel at http://localhost/webdev/wp-admin using the credentials you set during installation.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed WordPress on your Mac using XAMPP. This local environment is perfect for testing, developing, and customizing your WordPress site before going live. When you’re ready, you can easily move your site to a live server.

Happy WordPress-ing!