Obviously, you’ll need a website to truly use your Mac as a web server. You’ve successfully turned on your Mac’s web server. (You can also type “localhost” – this tells your Mac to look for its own website.) If your web server is working, you’ll see one of the web pages below.Ĭlose the System Preferences. Remember those IP addresses and URLs we asked you to save? Type those into your web browser to test your web server. This will allow people to access your website through your Mac’s firewall. Also make sure that the checkbox next to Personal Web Sharing is selected. Click the Firewall tab and make sure your Mac’s firewall is turned on. Now that your Mac is accessible to anyone on the internet – including hackers and other evil-doers – you’re going to need to protect it.

You’ll need this later when you test your website. (This could take a minute or two.) After it turns on, note your computer’s IP address and URL at the bottom of the Sharing Preferences window. Select Personal Web Sharing, and then click the Start button. Apache powers the Internet, and now it’s going to power the website hosted on your Mac.įrom the Apple menu, select System Preferences.Ĭlick Sharing, and then click the Services tab.

But make no mistake about it – this little service included with every Mac is powered by some serious software. Apple hid the Apache web server in an inconspicuous place in Mac OS X, and they called it Personal Web Sharing. The first step to web-serving nirvana is turning on your Mac’s web serving application.

We’ll show you how to do it! Turn on Personal Web Sharing There are no hosting fees to pay, and your website will be available any time your Mac is turned on and connected to the Internet. The best part is that you can host a website on your Mac for free. Anyone will be able to access the website stored on your Mac! With Apache and the DynDNS service, you can turn your Mac into a powerful web server. This means that Mac users have access to free built-in server applications, like the Apache web server. Mac OS X is built on Darwin – a Unix-like, open source operating system developed by Apple and built on FreeBSD. AirPort Apple Apps Backups Developer Education Email Hardware Internet iPad iPhone Mac Music Network Photos Security TV Weekend Wonk

Setup local web server mac