ioBroker on macOS

ioBroker runs on macOS because Node.js runs there. However, it's not the intended way to run it continuously.

For a home automation system that needs to run reliably, macOS is the wrong choice. The installation script, the forum instructions, and the troubleshooting tools are all designed for Debian and its derivatives. If you're stuck with a Mac, you're better off using Docker or a virtual machine with Linux than installing directly on the system.

macOS is useful for two purposes: for experimentation and for developing adapters.

For experimentation and development

The prerequisite is a current LTS version of Node.js, most easily obtained via Homebrew or a version control system like...nvm Which version is currently recommended can be found under Node.js & npm .

Then in a separate directory:

mkdir iobroker && cd iobroker
npm install iobroker.js-controller
npx iobroker setup first
npx iobroker start

The interface of the admin adapter is then located underhttp://localhost:8081 Available once it is installed and started:

npx iobroker add admin

?> Theiob The shortcut is not created this way. Therefore, the commands are routed via...npx iobroker ... from the installation directory.

What to expect

  • Adapters that rely on Linux tools or onsystemd Access is not possible or only partially possible.
  • Connected hardware – wireless dongles, serial adapters – behaves differently under macOS and is hardly documented in the forum.
  • Automatic startup on boot-up must be configured manually.

The better way on a Mac

Developing your own adapter doesn't require a full installation anyway, but rather thedev-server , which sets up an encapsulated ioBroker environment for exactly one adapter. For home use: a dedicated, energy-efficient device running Linux is required – see Hardware .