Install aarch64-elf-binutils with Homebrew, MacPorts

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Upstream docs
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• aarch64-elf-addr2line
• aarch64-elf-ar
• aarch64-elf-as
• aarch64-elf-c++filt
• aarch64-elf-elfedit
• aarch64-elf-gprof
• aarch64-elf-ld
• aarch64-elf-ld.bfd
• aarch64-elf-nm
• aarch64-elf-objcopy
• aarch64-elf-objdump
• aarch64-elf-ranlib
• aarch64-elf-readelf
• aarch64-elf-size
• aarch64-elf-strings
• aarch64-elf-strip

Project history

GNU Binutils is maintained in Sourceware's combined binutils-gdb.git repository, whose official gitweb summary describes the repository as gdb and binutils and publishes an HTTPS repository URL. The current Sourceware Binutils documentation is generated from the Binutils 2.46 sources and covers gas, ld, BFD, libctf, gprof, gprofng, SFrame, and the binary utilities manual.

The Homebrew formula is not a fork of Binutils; it packages the GNU release for the aarch64-elf target. As of the official Homebrew formula API checked for this batch, the stable formula uses GNU Binutils 2.46.1.

Adoption history

Target-prefixed Binutils packages became a standard packaging pattern for cross development because they let multiple toolchains coexist without shadowing host tools such as as, ld, ar, objdump, or readelf. Homebrew exposes this convention directly through executables such as aarch64-elf-as, aarch64-elf-ld, aarch64-elf-objcopy, and aarch64-elf-readelf.

Homebrew analytics in the official formula API show the package is a niche but active cross-toolchain component, with installs tracked separately from the host binutils formula.

How it is used

Users install aarch64-elf-binutils when they need to assemble, link, convert, inspect, strip, or archive objects for AArch64 ELF targets outside the host operating system ABI. It is commonly paired with a matching cross GCC and, when debugging is needed, a target-matched GDB.

The package's target prefix matters operationally: build systems and cross-compilers can call aarch64-elf-as or aarch64-elf-ld explicitly, avoiding accidental use of platform-native tools.

Why package nerds care

For package-manager users, this formula is the low-level base of an AArch64 bare-metal toolchain. Getting the target triplet, prefix, and Binutils/GCC pairing right is the difference between a reproducible cross build and a host-tool leak that fails later in the build.

Package nerds care because Binutils packages are both leaf CLI tools and dependency infrastructure: they expose many small executables, interact closely with compiler specs, and often need to be versioned in step with cross compilers.

Timeline

• 2026: Sourceware's current Binutils documentation is generated from the Binutils 2.46 sources.
• 2026: Sourceware git tags list an official GNU Binutils 2.46.1 release.
• 2026: Homebrew's aarch64-elf-binutils formula packages GNU Binutils 2.46.1 for aarch64-elf cross development.

Related projects

• GCC commonly consumes Binutils as the assembler/linker layer in GNU cross-toolchains.
• GDB shares Sourceware's binutils-gdb.git repository with Binutils.
• The aarch64-elf-gcc and aarch64-elf-gdb Homebrew formulae are natural companions for this target-specific Binutils package.

Sources

• https://formulae.brew.sh/api/formula/aarch64-elf-binutils.json
• https://sourceware.org/binutils/docs/
• https://sourceware.org/git/?p=binutils-gdb.git;a=summary