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QGroundControl 5.1.5 for Mac

QGroundControl 5.1.5 for Mac

Mac Utilities
Updated Aug 11, 2026
Mac Utilities • Updated Aug 11, 2026

QGroundControl is a ground control station for drones and other vehicles running PX4 or ArduPilot autopilots. From your Mac you can plan survey missions on a map, tune and calibrate a vehicle through guided setup screens, watch live telemetry and video during flight, and review logs afterwards. It speaks to the vehicle over USB or radio telemetry using MAVLink. Researchers, survey teams and hobby builders rely on it from first setup to post flight analysis.

Key Features

  • Mission planning with waypoints, survey patterns and geofence and rally point editing
  • Guided vehicle setup for firmware, sensors, radio, motors and flight modes
  • Live flight view with map, instruments, telemetry values and video streaming
  • Support for PX4 and ArduPilot vehicles, including multi vehicle monitoring
  • Flight log download and review tools for after flight checks

How to Download

  1. Use the download button on this page to get the Mac disk image, or Download from the official site instead.
  2. Open the disk image and drag QGroundControl into your Applications folder.
  3. Launch it and connect your vehicle by USB or telemetry radio, then follow the setup summary screens.

System Requirements

The stable 5.1 guide lists macOS 13 Ventura or later for Mac installs. The build is a universal binary for Apple silicon and Intel Macs, and official builds are signed and notarized.

FAQs

Which autopilots does QGroundControl support?

It supports vehicles running PX4 or ArduPilot firmware over MAVLink, including multicopters, planes, rovers and submersibles.

Is QGroundControl free?

Yes. It is free and open source, with source code on GitHub and release builds anyone can download at no cost.

Can it fly a mission without a pilot at the sticks?

Yes. You can plan a waypoint mission, upload it to the vehicle and monitor progress live, while keeping manual override ready for safety at all times.

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