lipo MacOS Command Guide

The MacOS lipo command is used to create or manipulate universal binary files that contain executable code and data for multiple architectures. By using lipo, developers can combine object files for different processor architectures into a single file, select specific architectures from a universal file, or extract individual architectures for further processing. This command is particularly useful when creating software that needs to run on multiple CPU types, such as Intel and ARM processors. Understanding how to use lipo effectively can help streamline the development process and ensure compatibility across various devices and platforms.

lipo Syntax:

lipo [options] [parameters]

Options:

Option	Description
-arch	Specify architecture to extract/build executables for.
-create	Create a new universal file from the provided object files.
-thin	Create a file with only a single architecture from the provided universal file.
-info	Display information about the input file.
-remove	Remove a specific architecture from the universal file.
-extract	Extract the specified architecture from the input file.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
input_file	The universal file to be processed.
output_file	The resulting file after processing.

Caution

Exercise caution when using the lipo command to avoid unintentionally modifying or corrupting files.

lipo Command Samples:

Extract Architectures from a Binary

lipo -info /path/to/binary

Displays the architectures present in a binary file.

Remove an Architecture from a Binary

lipo -remove arm64 -output /path/to/new_binary /path/to/binary

Creates a new binary file by removing the arm64 architecture from the original binary.

Create a Fat Binary from Multiple Binaries

lipo -create -output /path/to/fat_binary /path/to/binary1 /path/to/binary2

Combines multiple binaries into a single fat binary file.

Verify Binary Architecture Compatibility

lipo -verify_arch x86_64 /path/to/binary

Checks if the binary at the specified path is compatible with the x86_64 architecture.

List Architectures in a Fat Binary

lipo -detailed_info /path/to/fat_binary

Provides detailed information about the architectures present in a fat binary.

Extract Specific Architecture from a Fat Binary

lipo -extract x86_64 -output /path/to/extracted_binary /path/to/fat_binary

Extracts the x86_64 architecture from a fat binary into a new binary file.

Merge Binaries to Create Universal Binary

lipo -create -arch armv7 /path/to/binary1 -arch arm64 /path/to/binary2 -output /path/to/universal_binary

Combines two binaries with different architectures to create a universal binary file.

Tip

When using the lipo command in MacOS, make sure to carefully read the options available and understand their functionality to achieve the desired results.

How do I use lipo in MacOS?

To use the lipo command in MacOS, execute the following command:

lipo --arch <architecture> <input_file>

How do I extract architectures with lipo in MacOS?

To extract architectures using lipo in MacOS, use the following command:

lipo -extract <architecture> <input_file> -output <output_file>

How can I list architectures in a file with lipo in MacOS?

To list the architectures present in a file using lipo in MacOS, run the following command:

lipo -info <input_file>

How do I create a universal binary using lipo in MacOS?

To create a universal binary using lipo in MacOS, use the following command:

lipo -create <file1> <file2> -output <output_file>

How can I thin a binary with lipo in MacOS?

To thin a binary using lipo in MacOS, execute the following command:

lipo -thin <architecture> <input_file> -output <output_file>

How do I verify a universal binary with lipo in MacOS?

To verify a universal binary using lipo in MacOS, run the following command:

lipo -verify <input_file>

Applications of the lipo command

• Manipulating universal binary files
• Inspecting the architecture support of binaries
• Converting between different executable formats
• Removing or adding architecture support to binaries