# Intel/ARM macOS debugger On macOS, the suggested approach is to use [Remote debugging](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/debugger/remote-debugging) with one of the mac\_server\* binaries that are shipped with IDA - even when debugging apps on your local machine. Using a standalone debug server application makes it easier to get around the codesigning and debugging restrictions that are built into macOS. Note that this is also the approach used by lldb. Internally lldb uses a dedicated debugserver that implements the core debugger engine - so IDA does the same. It is possible to use the Local Mac OS X Debugger in ida.app, but you must run IDA as root. For a deeper dive into macOS debugging, see our [tutorial](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/debugger/debugger-tutorials/mac_debugger_primer2). See also * [How to launch remote debugging](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/debugger/remote-debugging) * [Debugger submenu](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/user-interface/menu-bar/debugger) * [Start process](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/user-interface/menu-bar/debugger/process-control/start-process) * [Remote iOS debugger](https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/debugger/remote-debugging/remote-ios-debugger) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.hex-rays.com/8.5/user-guide/debugger/local-debugging/intel-arm-macos-debugger.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.