Loading...
Loading...
Notepad++ is finally arriving on macOS as a true native application, thanks to an independent open-source port that replaces the Windows Win32 interface with a Cocoa-based UI while keeping the Scintilla editing engine intact. Delivered as an Apple Developer ID–signed and notarized Universal Binary, it runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and adopts macOS conventions for menus, shortcuts, and file dialogs. The project, started in March 2026 and written in Objective-C++, emphasizes performance, a smaller footprint, and a no-telemetry, no-ads stance, widening cross-platform editor options for developers.
Notepad++’s maintainer Don Ho warns that a website (notepad-plus-plus-mac.org) is impersonating the project by claiming an official macOS port. The site is unauthorized, uses the Notepad++ trademark and the maintainer’s name without permission, and has already misled users and some tech media. Notepad++ has never released a macOS version, and the project is pursuing contact with the site owner while asking the community to correct misinformation across social platforms and forums. The incident highlights trademark abuse, distribution spoofing risks, and the importance of vetting downloads to avoid security or trust issues.
Notepad++ has been ported to macOS as a native Cocoa-based app rather than a Wine wrapper, replacing the Win32 UI layer while keeping the Scintilla editing engine intact. The Universal Binary supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and integrates with macOS conventions such as menus, shortcuts, and file dialogs. The port aims to keep behavior and features aligned with upstream Notepad++ by preserving the core editor engine, making it a first-class native option for developers and power users on macOS. This matters because it brings a long-standing Windows-favored code editor to macOS with native performance and UX, broadening cross-platform tooling choices.
An independent open-source community project has released Notepad++ as a native macOS application, positioning it as a free, GPL-licensed source code editor and Notepad replacement without requiring Wine, Porting Kit, or other emulation layers. The port, started March 10, 2026, is built on the Scintilla editing component and is written in Objective C++ using platform-native APIs to improve performance and reduce footprint. The macOS build is distributed as an Apple Developer ID-signed, Apple-notarized Universal Binary that runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1–M5) and Intel Macs. The project states it includes no telemetry, advertising, or data collection. Source code is available on GitHub, while the official Notepad++ remains the Windows version at notepad-plus-plus.org.
An independent open-source community project has released Notepad++ as a native macOS application, eliminating the need for Wine, Porting Kit, or other emulation layers. The port, started on March 10, 2026, is licensed under the GNU General Public License and is positioned as a free source-code editor and Notepad replacement supporting many programming languages. Built on the Scintilla editing component, Notepad++ for Mac is written in Objective C++ and uses platform-native APIs to improve performance and reduce footprint. The app is distributed as an Apple Developer ID-signed, Apple-notarized Universal Binary that runs on both Apple Silicon (M1–M5) and Intel Macs. The project states it includes no telemetry, ads, or data collection, and publishes source code on GitHub.