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Does the change to zsh need/have to be done on MacOS Catalina?

Does the change to zsh need/have to be done on MacOS Catalina?

Posted on Jun 1, 2020 8:11 AM

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Posted on Jun 1, 2020 8:24 AM

I read an article about switching back to bash a while ago. I'm pretty sure you can still switch.

Anyways, the switch to ZSH has to do with some licensing I believe.

Here is the link: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT208050

5 replies

Jun 1, 2020 9:26 AM in response to vholeman2000

vholeman2000 wrote:

Where is this entered? Is it in the Advanced options of users and groups and what line? I don't want to make a mistake and mess my Mac up.


From your User /Home folder— hold the 3 keys: Shift command . (period)

this will unhide hidden files, now you will see your hidden files including: " .bash_profile" or ".profile"





This is where you will copy/paste/save the command line from above.


Jun 1, 2020 8:44 AM in response to vholeman2000

vholeman2000 wrote:

Does the change to zsh need/have to be done on MacOS Catalina?


No you do not have to change the default shell.


To silence this warning, you can add this command to ~/.bash_profile or ~/.profile:

export BASH_SILENCE_DEPRECATION_WARNING=1




Prior to Catalina, Apple's default was Bash (v3.5.2) from 2007 to current.


Because Bash v4.x has a GPL v3 license, Apple could not update the ancient Bash (v3.5.2).


Zsh a more capable shell with a MIT license. This allows Apple to keep it current in Catalina and beyond. The old Bash is still available for those that wish to use it.


That message with instructions on running chsh when launching the Terminal is simply a courtesy message to set zsh as the default shell.

Does the change to zsh need/have to be done on MacOS Catalina?

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