How to Install Unity and Unity Hub from A to Z for Beginners

How to Install Unity and Unity Hub from A to Z

If you are completely new to Unity, first separate two things: Unity Hub manages Editor versions, projects, your account, and modules; the Unity Editor is the main application where you actually build your game.

This guide starts with a computer that does not have Unity installed and ends with your first project open in the Editor. Screens may change slightly as Unity Hub receives updates.

1. Check your computer before installing

Make sure you have enough free disk space. The Unity Editor, Android Build Support, WebGL Build Support, an IDE, and caches can take several gigabytes. For basic 2D/3D learning, start with the Editor and a C# development environment.

2. Download Unity Hub

Go to the official Unity download page and download Unity Hub for your operating system.

3. Install Unity Hub

Run the installer, accept the terms when prompted, choose an installation location if needed, finish the installation, and launch Unity Hub.

4. Sign in with a Unity ID

Select Sign in. Your browser may open the Unity authentication page. Sign in with an existing account or create a Unity ID, then return to the Hub.

5. Check your Unity Personal license

For eligible individual learners, Unity Personal is usually the appropriate option. In recent Hub versions, license management is located under Settings. If activation is required, follow the instructions shown by the Hub.

6. Install the Unity Editor

Open Installs in Unity Hub and select Install Editor. The Hub will show Editor versions available for installation.

For beginners, an LTS release is usually a safer choice than an alpha or beta unless your course or project specifically requires another version.

7. Select the modules you need

After choosing an Editor version, Unity Hub lets you add optional modules. You do not need to install every module.

• Microsoft Visual Studio / IDE: useful for writing and debugging C# if you do not already have a suitable IDE.
• Android Build Support: required for Android builds; SDK, NDK, and OpenJDK are commonly installed with it.
• WebGL Build Support: required to export games that run in a web browser.
• Windows/Mac/Linux Build Support: choose the platforms you plan to target.

8. Wait for the installation to finish

Select Install and let Unity Hub download the Editor and modules. Installation time depends on your connection speed and selected components. Avoid closing the Hub while installation is in progress.

9. Create your first Unity project

Open Projects and create a new project. Choose a template, enter a project name, choose a save location, and create the project.

For your first experiments, a basic 2D or 3D template is enough.

10. Open the Unity Editor

The first launch can take longer because Unity needs to import packages and generate the Library folder. When the Editor opens, you should see panels such as Hierarchy, Scene, Game, Inspector, Project, and Console.

11. Add modules later

If you forgot Android or WebGL support, you normally do not need to reinstall everything. Open Installs, open the menu for the Hub-managed Editor version, and use the option to add modules.

12. Common beginner installation problems

• The Editor will not download: check your connection, proxy/VPN, free disk space, and restart the Hub.
• The version you need is missing: check Archive or the Unity Download Archive.
• Android builds fail: verify Android Build Support, SDK, NDK, and OpenJDK.
• The first project launch is slow: Unity may still be importing assets and packages.
• A project requires another Editor version: use the project's intended Editor version when possible.

Unity is now installed

If the Editor appears under Installs and you can create and open a new project, your basic Unity environment is ready.

Recommended next article: Unity Editor Interface — Scene, Game, Hierarchy, Inspector, Project, and Console.

ASCENO • Unity Beginner Series