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

macOS 12 (Monterey) or later (x64 or ARM64)

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.

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.

Step 4: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

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

Step 5: Point to your named/computer license

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.

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

License manager

You won't be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location.

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.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

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

Step 6: Point to your named/computer license

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.

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

You won't be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location.

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 .

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.

Step 5: Launch IDA Pro for the first time

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

Step 6: Point to your named/computer license

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.

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

You won't be asked about your license again unless the subscription period expires or you move your license file to a different location.

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.

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