Everything you should know about Slack for Mac in 2026

If you want to level up your team collaboration, you’ve probably heard of Slack. As a longtime Mac user and productivity junkie, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know about using Slack on Mac. Whether you’re downloading the Slack app for Mac for the first time or want to get more out of the app, this guide’s got you covered. We’ll discuss what Slack is, how to get it on your Mac, and some pro tips to make it your go-to tool.

Stick with me, and you’ll see why Slack for Mac is a game-changer.

Slack-friendly tip
If you use Slack on your Mac, bookmark Setapp’s free custom GPTs page. These assistants are designed to help with everyday Mac and iPhone issues, app choices, and quick how‑tos, so you can ask for a fix or a shortcut, copy the answer, and paste it straight into your Slack conversation whenever you need it.

What is Slack?

Slack is a workspace communication platform that helps teams chat, share files, and collaborate in real time. It gives you lots of features and functionalities you can use to collaborate, so it's like a digital HQ for teams.

All the main features are quite easy to grasp and use, and they include: 

• Channels – These are digital rooms that you can create for different departments or projects. Each one is marked with a # sign, so that it's easy to spot and join conversations. 

• Direct Messages (DMs) – When you don't want to involve the whole team, you can use DMs for a one-on-one chat.

• Mentions (@username) – If you want a particular person to see the message, add an @ before their username. They'll get a notification of the message.

• Huddles – When it's easier to explain something live, you can use the feature for a quick audio call. It's my favorite Slack feature at the moment.

• File sharing – You can drag and drop documents, images, or even videos in any Slack conversation. 

• Integrations – Slack integrates with other platforms like Google Drive, Zoom, and Asana, so that you don't have to jump between one app to another.

• Bots & automations – Slackbot reminds you of tasks and sends automated updates. You can even teach it fun custom replies, like sharing the Wi-Fi password when someone asks. Plus, Slack offers simple no-code automations, such as creating a Google Calendar event whenever someone reacts to a message with a calendar emoji.

Once you're familiar with these features, Slack will start feeling more like a virtual office.

But Slack is not the only option on Mac. To learn more, check out the guide on the best scheduling apps for Mac.

How to get started with Slack on Mac

If you've never used Slack before, let me give you a quick "onboarding map" so that you get an idea of what your first minutes will be like. I'll get into the details in the other sections.

Here's how to get started: 

1. Download and install Slack from the website or the Mac App Store.

2. Sign up with your email address. 

3. Create a workspace or join one via an invitation.

4. Customize your sidebar and notifications (Slack > Settings > Notifications).

5. Send your first message or channel invite.

Source: slack.com

The app works smoothly every time, but one small issue I can point out is that I often miss important notifications when I'm slammed with work. I avoid this by using the In Your Face app. It integrates with my calendar and sends me a full-screen reminder that it's impossible to ignore. I haven't missed a meeting or deadline since I've downloaded it on my Mac.

How to download Slack for Mac: Two easy ways

There are two main ways to get the Slack app for Mac, and I’ll break them both down with step-by-step instructions.

Download Slack for Mac from the Slack website

If you’re like me and love having control over what you’re installing, downloading the Slack application straight from their website is the way to go. It’s straightforward and gives you options based on your Mac’s setup.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the official Slack downloads page.
2. Choose the appropriate version.
3. Click Download to begin the process.

Source: slack.com/downloads

Once it’s done, you’re ready to install — more on that in a second.

Download Slack for Mac from the Mac App Store

Prefer the App Store vibe? I get it — there’s something satisfying about that one-click install life.

Here’s how to grab the Slack app for Mac this way.

1. Open the Apple menu > App Store.
2. Search for Slack.
3. Click Get to install the app.
4. After clicking Get, you may need to enter your Apple Account password or use Touch ID to confirm.

Installing Slack app for Mac in just a few minutes

If you download Slack from the website, here’s how to install it.

Using the downloaded installer

This part is a classic Mac move — drag and drop. Here’s how I set it up on my device:

1. Locate the downloaded Slack DMG file.
2. Open the file and drag the Slack icon to the Applications folder.
3. Once it’s in Applications, close Finder.
4. Right-click the Slack disk image on your desktop and click Eject.

Launch Slack from your Applications folder or Spotlight, and you’re golden.

Setting up your Slack workspace: new and existing workspaces

Now that Slack’s on your Mac, it’s time to make it yours. Whether you’re starting fresh or jumping into an existing team, here’s how to get going.

Creating a new workspace

Here’s how to create a new workspace on Slack:

1. Launch Slack > Click your profile icon on the top left.
2. Choose Add a workspace > Create a new workspace.
3. Slack will open your web browser to complete the setup. Follow the prompts — name your workspace, add your team, and set it up how you like.

Joining an existing workspace

Here’s how to join an existing workspace on Slack:

1. Launch Slack > Click your profile icon on the top left.
2. Choose Add a workspace > Find workspaces.
3. Sign in on Slack’s homepage.
4. Type in your workspace URL (like yourteam.slack.com) or the email tied to it.

I’ve joined countless workspaces this way — it’s a cinch. Just like that, your Slack is ready to be used.

Tip Hold on before you go and start using Slack for your team. Since Slack is heavily used in workgroups and projects, taking care of its security becomes even more important. I use tools like Secrets 4 to hide all the sensitive information from prying eyes to ensure my passwords and sensitive data remain mine (it can also generate your passwords for you). This will keep your Slack safe and secure. If you’re using Google Chrome, its password manager can help you manage your Slack and other passwords for a streamlined experience.

Navigating through the Slack app Mac

Let’s take a tour of the Slack app on Mac. It’s all about that sidebar and customization. Here’s a quick table to explain it.

Tip: Camera fails to work during video calls on Slack? Learn how to fix camera on Mac.

The sidebar is your command center, and tweaking themes makes it feel like your personal Slack. Play around with it, and you’ll be navigating like a pro in no time.

Advanced tips for using Slack for Mac

Ready to take Slack to the next level? I’ve got some hot tips that’ll make you the Slack master of your team.

• Keyboard shortcuts: Press Command + / to see a complete list, but my most-used shortcuts include:
  • Command + K to quickly jump to any channel or conversation.
  • Command + [ to go back in navigation history.
  • Command + Shift + A to view all unread messages.

• Integrating third-party apps: Slack becomes even more powerful when connected to your other tools. One app I particularly love is IM+, which helps me manage multiple messaging platforms alongside Slack, creating a true communications hub on my Mac. All my communications apps, such as Gmail, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, and WhatsApp, can now be accessed in one place so that I never lose sight of anything important that needs attention.

• Utilizing Slack's search functionality: The search bar at the top of the Slack window is surprisingly powerful. Use modifiers like in:#channel or from:@username (enter the team member name) to narrow results, and save common searches for quick access.

These tricks will have you zipping through Slack like a seasoned Mac pro.

Tip: You also might be interested in how to use multiple desktops on a Mac.

Mac Slack download: Final words

Slack on Mac is a match made in productivity heaven. From its seamless macOS integration to features that keep your team humming, it’s a must-have for any Mac user. Download Slack for Mac, explore its bells and whistles, and watch your collaboration soar. 

If you want to try out all the cool tools I have mentioned in this blog, like WiFi Explorer, NetSpot, Secrets 4, and IM+, you can find them on Setapp, along with hundreds of other apps. 

Setapp is like a treasure trove of power tools specifically built for your Mac that make your life easier when it comes to taking full advantage of your machine. All the apps are available on a free trial for 7 days.