How can I change the temp directory the MATLAB installer uses?

I am installing MATLAB but the installer cannot run to completion because my /tmp folder is not large enough. Is there anyway I can bypass using /tmp or switch the directory?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Instructions for R2021b and newer

As of the R2021b installer, you will need to set the environment variable TMPDIR to another directory. The following article can be used to guide you through the process of creating a environment variable:

How do I set add or change environment variables?

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/223482

Instructions for R2021a and older

The -tmpdir installer flag can be used to change the directory where temporary files are created and deleted during installation.

Warning: If you set the directory or folder without specifying a subfolder to place the temporary files, the -tmpdir installer flag will delete everything inside the directory or folder.

Windows

1. Run Command Prompt
2. Drag the extracted setup.exe into command prompt to create the path.
3. At the end of the path, type "-tmpdir" followed by the path to the desired folder. 

As of R2018b, the downloaded archive files will also be in tmp folder. You will also need to use the -downloadFolder flag as well as the -tmpdir flag.

For example:

setup.exe -downloadFolder C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Downloads\Temp\ -tmpdir D:\Temp\

Linux & Mac

$ ./install -tmpdir /path/to/installation/destination

Log files will still be placed into the /tmp directory and not into the directory specified in -tmpdir.

As of R2018b, the downloaded archive files will also be in tmp folder. You will also need to use the -downloadFolder flag as well as the -tmpdir flag.

For example:

./install -downloadFolder /home/<USERNAME>/Downloads/temp -tmpdir /usr/temp