Much of the following installation instructions can also be found directly in Unity online documentation (https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/InstallingUnity.html). Although they have not changed much over the years, you should consult the site's current details.
Whether installing on Windows or macOS, the steps are similar:
- Go to https://store.unity.com/ and select the plan you wish to subscribe to, such as the free Personal:
- This will download the download assistant installer specific to your operating system (Windows or macOS). It is a small executable about 1 MB in size. Install the current Unity version (as of writing, this is Unity 2017.1):
- When it opens, accept the license agreement.
- Then you can select which components of the Unity Editor you want to download and install, as shown here:
In addition to Unity itself and other default components, be sure to select the support components required for each of your target build devices:
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- If you plan to build for an Android device, choose Android Build Support
- If you plan to build for an iOS device, choose iOS Build Support
- If you plan to build for a HoloLens, choose Windows Store .NET Scripting Backend
Unity also supports a newer, more performant Windows Store IL2CPP scripting backend. As of writing, it is still experimental. If you want to try it, we recommend you still also install the .NET backend so you can switch back and forth in your build settings.
- You are then prompted to select the download and install locations of the program files. Note that this does not need to be on your Windows C: drive, and since it can be quite large, I often install it onto a secondary drive where more space is available:
- The components will begin downloading. Depending on your internet connection, you may need to get a cup of coffee or go out for a long run through the woods.
When the installation is complete, you will have the option to launch Unity. Click Finish. Congratulations!
When you first launch Unity, you may be prompted to Sign into your Unity ID. If you do not yet have an account, choose the option to create one. Having an account gives you access to many developer services, some free, including the discussion forums. Or you may skip this step to get to the welcome screen.