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Install IDA

By following the steps in this guide, you can successfully install your IDA instance on macOS, Linux, and Windows.

The installation steps are valid for all product versions: IDA Pro, IDA Home, or IDA Free.

This installation guide is dedicated to individual users.

Minimum system requirements

{% tabs %} {% tab title=“macOS” %} macOS 12 (Monterey) or later (x64 or ARM64) {% endtab %}

{% tab title=“Linux” %} x64 (x86_64) CentOS 7 or later, Ubuntu 16.04 or later. Other equivalent distributions may work but not guaranteed. {% endtab %}

{% tab title=“Windows” %} Windows 8 or later (x64) {% endtab %} {% endtabs %}

Pre-installation steps

Activate your named or computer license via My Hex-Rays portal.

Installation on macOS

Prerequisites:

  • Ensure that you have activated your computer/named license and downloaded your license file (ida.hexlic) locally.
  • Make sure Python 3 or later is installed on your computer for the IDAPython API to function properly.

Step 1: Download the installer

  • Download the macOS version of IDA Pro from Download Center in My Hex-Rays portal.

Quick alternative
{% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli download {% endhint %}

Step 2: Run the installer

  • Extract the .zip archive.
  • Double-click on the extracted file to run the instalation wizard.
  • Follow the wizard’s instructions to complete the installation:
    • accept the license agreement and installation directory;
    • copy your ida.hexlic file to IDA installation directory or to $HOME/.idapro directory before launching IDA.

Quick alternative {% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli ida install <path-to-installer> {% endhint %}

Step 3: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

  • Double-click on the IDA Pro icon to launch the application.

Step 4: Point to your named/computer license

{% hint style=“info” %} The step below is valid for named and computer licenses for individual use. If you are going to use floating licenses, check this alternative step. {% endhint %}

  • In the License manager pop-up window, specify the path of your license file and click OK.

License manager

{% hint style=“info” %} You won’t be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location. {% endhint %}

Installation on Linux

Prerequisites:

  • Ensure that you have activated your computer/named license and downloaded your license file (ida.hexlic) locally.
  • Make sure Python 3 or later is installed on your computer for the IDAPython API to function properly.
  • Verify that you have the required libraries installed. Use your package manager to install any missing dependencies. Common dependencies include libx11, libxext, libxrender, and libglib2.0.

Step 1: Download the installer

  • Download the Linux version of IDA Pro from Download Center in My Hex-Rays portal.

Quick alternative
{% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli download {% endhint %}

Step 2: Run the installer

  • Navigate to the directory containing your IDA installer, and make it executable.
  • Run the installer by double-click it or enter ./<your_IDA_version_>linux.run in the terminal to execute it.
  • Follow the wizard’s instructions to complete the installation:
    • accept the license agreement and installation directory;
    • copy your ida.hexlic file to IDA installation directory or to $HOME/.idapro directory before launching IDA.

Quick alternative {% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli ida install <path-to-installer> {% endhint %}

Step 3: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

  • Go to the directory where IDA is installad and run the command: ./ida90

Step 4: Point to your named/computer license

{% hint style=“info” %} The step below is valid for named and computer licenses for individual use. If you are going to use floating licenses, check this alternative step. {% endhint %}

  • In the License manager pop-up window, specify the path of your license file and click OK.

{% hint style=“info” %} You won’t be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location. {% endhint %}

Installation on Windows

  • Ensure that you have activated your computer/named license and downloaded your license file (ida.hexlic) locally.
  • Make sure Python 3 or later is installed on your computer for the IDAPython API to function properly.

Step 1: Download the installer

  • Download the Windows version of IDA Pro from Download Center in My Hex-Rays portal.

Quick alternative
{% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli download {% endhint %}

Step 2: Run the installer

  • Locate the downloaded .exe file and double-click it to run the installer.
  • Follow the installation wizard’s instructions to complete the installation:
    • accept the license agreement and installation directory;
    • copy your ida.hexlic file to IDA installation directory or to %APPDATA%/Hex-Rays/IDA Pro directory before launching IDA.

Quick alternative {% hint style=“success” %}

HCLI Commands | See HCLI Docs

hcli ida install <path-to-installer> {% endhint %}

Step 3: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

  • Navigate to the Start Menu or desktop shortcut and launch IDA Pro.

Step 4: Point to your named/computer license

{% hint style=“info” %} The step below is valid for named and computer licenses for individual use. If you are going to use floating licenses, check this alternative step. {% endhint %}

  • In the License Manager pop-up window, specify the path of your license file and click OK.

{% hint style=“info” %} You won’t be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location. {% endhint %}

Use floating license server

Step 1: In the License manager pop-up window, select the option Use floating license server and then type a license server hostname provided by your administrator.

Step 2: Borrow one of the licenses visible under the available licenses list and click OK.

Note that you don’t need a license file stored on your machine locally while using floating licenses.

Common Post-Installation Steps

Step 1: Update IDA Pro

  • After installation, check for any available updates. Hex-Rays often releases patches and updates for IDA Pro. You can check for updates within the application via Help -> Check for free update or download the latest version from My Hex-Rays portal.

Step 2: Configure environment (optional)

Step 3: Install additional plugins (optional)

  • You can extend the functionality of IDA Pro by installing additional plugins that can be found on the official Hex-Rays repository or other trusted sources in the reverse engineering community.