Install BorgMate
BorgMate needs a supported Borg command on the same computer. Install Borg first, then BorgMate, and verify both before creating a repository.
Download signatures
Download official BorgMate packages from borgmate.oddbit.io or our GitHub releases. We sign the download packages with GPG and publish the signatures alongside the packages on GitHub.
Verify the package signature before installing and check that the signing key matches this fingerprint:
2D0B01C4BDAAF32BA376AE1E793239019CE4CF26The GPG signatures cover only the download packages. The installed binaries themselves are not signed. Package signatures do not replace Windows code signing or macOS notarization, so operating-system security warnings may still appear.
macOS
1. Install Borg
brew install borgbackup2. Install BorgMate
- Download the DMG for Apple Silicon or Intel.
- Open the DMG and drag BorgMate to Applications.
- Launch BorgMate from Applications.
BorgMate is not yet notarized. After checking the download source and verifying the package signature, remove the quarantine attribute:
xattr -cr /Applications/BorgMate.appLinux
1. Install Borg and keyring support
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y borgbackup libsecret-tools openssh-clientsudo dnf install borgbackup libsecret openssh-clientssudo pacman -S borg libsecret opensshlibsecret lets BorgMate store repository and SSH-key passphrases in the desktop keyring. Without an available keyring, BorgMate asks again when credentials are needed.
2. Run the AppImage
chmod +x BorgMate.AppImage && ./BorgMate.AppImageIf FUSE 2 is missing
Install the compatibility package (libfuse2 on Ubuntu/Debian, fuse-libs on Fedora, or fuse2 on Arch), or extract the AppImage:
./BorgMate.AppImage --appimage-extract && ./squashfs-root/AppRunOptional: SMB repositories on a NAS
Storing backups on an SMB share uses the GLib/GIO libraries and the GVFS SMB backend. Distributions with GNOME or KDE usually ship both already; minimal window-manager setups may need them installed:
sudo apt install -y gvfs gvfs-backendssudo dnf install gvfs gvfs-smbsudo pacman -S gvfs gvfs-smbWindows
BorgMate runs Borg commands inside Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
1. Install WSL and Debian
Open PowerShell as Administrator:
wsl --install -d DebianRestart Windows if prompted, launch Debian, and finish creating the Linux user.
2. Install Borg inside WSL
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y borgbackup libsecret-tools openssh-client3. Install BorgMate
Download and run BorgMate-win-Setup.exe. SmartScreen may show a warning because the installer has no Windows code-signing signature. Choose More info, then Run anyway only after checking the download source and verifying the GPG package signature.
BorgMate converts Windows source and repository paths for WSL and handles Linux-side SSH key permissions.
Verify the installation
Run the command in Terminal on macOS/Linux or inside WSL on Windows:
borg --versionFor a production Borg 1 setup, expect a borg 1.4.x version — 1.4.5 or newer is recommended, as it includes a security fix (CVE-2026-62268) for borg extract. Then open BorgMate and check Settings → Advanced → Borg binary path override; the detected path appears below the field.
BorgMate launches, borg --version succeeds, and Advanced settings show the detected Borg path.