# IDA Installation

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

{% hint style="info" %}
For automatic, non-interactive installation in unattended mode, check the [installer command-line options](https://docs.hex-rays.com/getting-started/install-ida/ida-installer-commandline-options).
{% endhint %}

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](https://docs.hex-rays.com/licensing#named-licenses-activation) or [computer](https://docs.hex-rays.com/licensing#computer-licenses-activation) license via My Hex-Rays portal.

### **Installation on macOS**

**Prerequisites:**

* Ensure that you have [activated your computer/named license](https://docs.hex-rays.com/licensing#license-activation) 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](https://my.hex-rays.com/) portal.

**Quick alternative**

{% hint style="success" %}
**HCLI Commands |** [**See HCLI Docs**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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](#use-floating-license-server) alternative step.
{% endhint %}

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

![License manager](https://920252027-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FXnMt6HMopakRTMzxxSKh%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e15fc767f31bf55e90343da5a59ca60269cdd183%2Flicense_manager.png?alt=media)

{% 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](https://docs.hex-rays.com/licensing#license-activation) 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](https://my.hex-rays.com/) portal.

**Quick alternative**

{% hint style="success" %}
**HCLI Commands |** [**See HCLI Docs**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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](#use-floating-license-server) 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](https://docs.hex-rays.com/licensing#license-activation) 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](https://my.hex-rays.com/) portal.

**Quick alternative**

{% hint style="success" %}
**HCLI Commands |** [**See HCLI Docs**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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**](https://hcli.docs.hex-rays.com/)

`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](#use-floating-license-server) 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](https://my.hex-rays.com/dashboard/download-center/downloads) portal.

**Step 2: Configure environment (optional)**

* Customize your IDA Pro environment settings to suit your preferences. This can include configuring hotkeys, and adjusting appearance settings.

**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](https://plugins.hex-rays.com/) or other trusted sources in the reverse engineering community.


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