How to Install and Use ngrok on macOS (Homebrew) and Windows

Ngrok is a powerful tool that lets you expose your local server (running on your laptop, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi) to the internet using a secure tunnel. This is super useful for testing webhooks, sharing your development server with others, or accessing IoT devices remotely.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to install ngrok on macOS (with Homebrew) and Windows, and run your first tunnel.

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🔹 1. Install ngrok on macOS with Homebrew

Step 1: Install Homebrew (if not already installed)

Open Terminal and paste:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Once installed, run:

brew -v

to confirm.

Step 2: Install ngrok

brew install --cask ngrok

Step 3: Authenticate ngrok

Create a free account at ngrok.com.
Copy your authtoken from the dashboard, then run:

ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_AUTHTOKEN_HERE

Step 4: Start a tunnel

If your local app is running on port 8080:

ngrok http 8080

You’ll see a forwarding URL like:

Forwarding   https://abcd1234.ngrok.io -> http://localhost:8080

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🔹 2. Install ngrok on Windows

Step 1: Download ngrok

• Go to the ngrok download page.

• Download the Windows .zip version.

• Extract it to C:\ngrok\ (or another folder of your choice).

Step 2: Add ngrok to PATH (optional but useful)

• Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.

• Go to Advanced > Environment Variables.

• Under System variables, find Path → click Edit → New.

• Add C:\ngrok\ → Save.
  Now you can run ngrok from anywhere in Command Prompt.

Step 3: Authenticate ngrok

Open Command Prompt and run:

ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_AUTHTOKEN_HERE

Step 4: Start a tunnel

If your local app runs on port 3000:

ngrok http 3000

Ngrok will give you a public HTTPS link.

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🔹 3. Useful ngrok Commands

• Start tunnel on port 80:

  ngrok http 80
  

• Tunnel a different IP and port (e.g., ESP32 on LAN):

  ngrok http 192.168.1.50:80
  

• View request logs:

  http://127.0.0.1:4040
  

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✅ Wrapping Up

That’s it! You’ve now installed ngrok on macOS with Homebrew and Windows. With just a single command, you can securely share your local server with the world.

Ngrok is free for basic use, but upgrading unlocks reserved subdomains, custom domains, and more.