macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install libidn2local Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install libidn2MacPorts ports tree · mail/libidn2/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install libidn2 with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper
International domain name library (IDNA2008, Punycode and TR46). Version 2.3.8 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-22.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add idn2-utilsAlpine Linux edge package indexes · idn2-utils · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install idn2Debian stable package indexes · idn2 · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install idn2Fedora Rawhide package metadata · idn2 · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#libidn2nixpkgs package indexes · libidn2 · source: raw.githubusercontent.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S libidn2Arch Linux sync databases · libidn2 · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install libidn2-0openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · libidn2-0 · source: download.opensuse.org
overview
Package summary
International domain name library (IDNA2008, Punycode and TR46)
Project links
Commands and aliases
- idn2
history
Project history and usage
GNU Libidn2 is the GNU successor to Libidn for IDNA2008 and Unicode TR46 internationalized-domain-name processing.
Project history
The IETF IDNA2008 RFC series replaced the earlier IDNA2003 model, describing a revised protocol and definitions for internationalized domain names. Libidn2 was created to implement that newer standards family while retaining package-level continuity for GNU users.
The Libidn2 NEWS file records an initial 0.0 alpha release on 2011-03-09 for public API review, with IDNA2008 lookup mostly implemented. Release 0.2 on 2011-03-30 added the idn2 command-line tool and made lookup/register functions operational.
Release 0.12 on 2016-12-26 added TR46/UTS #46 support to the API and idn2 utility. Release 2.0.0 on 2017-03-29 changed the version numbering scheme and added to-ASCII and to-Unicode conversion functions corresponding to Libidn functions. Release 2.0.5 on 2018-05-18 switched the default library behavior to IDNA2008 as amended by non-transitional TR46.
Adoption history
The GNU Libidn page explicitly calls Libidn2 the successor of GNU Libidn and notes that it provides IDNA2008, TR46, and a compatibility layer for GNU Libidn. That made it the practical migration path for distributions and network applications moving away from IDNA2003 behavior.
Libidn2 is package-visible because applications often need a shared, audited implementation of Unicode domain-name conversion rather than hand-rolling security-sensitive Punycode and normalization behavior.
How it is used
Users call idn2 for command-line conversion and debugging, while applications link the library for IDNA lookup and registration conversions. The manual emphasizes correct locale and UTF-8 handling because feeding bytes in the wrong character set can produce errors or wrong output.
Why package nerds care
Libidn2 is where DNS, Unicode versioning, security-sensitive string handling, and compatibility policy meet. Packagers care about it because changing from libidn to libidn2 can alter IDNA behavior, but staying on IDNA2003 can be wrong for software that expects IDNA2008/TR46.
It is also a good example of a successor package that is not just a new ABI: it represents a standards transition and a different view of what domain names should accept.
Timeline
- 2010: RFC 5890 and related RFCs documented the IDNA2008 revision that superseded IDNA2003.
- 2011: Libidn2 0.0 alpha released for public API review.
- 2011: Libidn2 0.2 added the idn2 command-line tool.
- 2016: Libidn2 0.12 added TR46/UTS #46 support.
- 2017: Libidn2 2.0.0 changed version numbering and added Libidn-corresponding conversion APIs.
- 2018: Libidn2 2.0.5 made IDNA2008 plus non-transitional TR46 the default behavior.
Related projects
- GNU Libidn is the predecessor and compatibility target.
- GNU libunistring is related through Unicode string support used by Libidn2 builds.
- RFC 5890, RFC 5891, and Unicode UTS #46 define the standards context around Libidn2.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
library-like package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- library-like package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:library-like
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 8 platform targets.
- Installs with 2 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
idn2 | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version2.3.8
manager updated2026-06-22
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2none confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:libidn2 |
|---|---|
| Version | 2.3.8 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/libidn2 |
| Homepage | https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2 |
| Repository | https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/libidn/libidn2.git |
| Upstream docs | https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/libidn2/manual/libidn2.html |
| License | (GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later) AND (Unicode-TOU AND Unicode-DFS-2016) AND GPL-3.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later AND FSFAP-no-warranty-disclaimer |
| Source archive | https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/gnu/libidn/libidn2-2.3.8.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22T14:05:18-07:00 |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | gettext, libunistring |
| Build dependencies | pkgconf |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | libidn2 |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Debian apt95%
idn2 2.3.8-2
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) command line tool
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install idn2- Section: devel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 3 dependencies
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Debian apt95%
libidn2-0 2.3.8-2
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) library
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-0- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Debian apt95%
libidn2-dev 2.3.8-2
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) development files
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Debian apt95%
libidn2-doc 2.3.8-2
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) documentation
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-doc- Section: doc
- Architecture: all
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Nix95%
libidn2
nix profile install nixpkgs#libidn2- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Ubuntu apt95%
idn2 2.3.7-2build1
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) command line tool
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install idn2- Section: universe/devel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 3 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Ubuntu apt95%
libidn2-0 2.3.7-2build1
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) library
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-0- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Ubuntu apt95%
libidn2-dev 2.3.7-2build1
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) development files
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
Ubuntu apt95%
libidn2-doc 2.3.7-2build1
Internationalized domain names (IDNA2008/TR46) documentation
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo apt install libidn2-doc- Section: doc
- Architecture: all
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
apk95%
idn2-utils 2.3.8-r0
Encode/Decode library for internationalized domain names (CLI utilities)
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn#libidn2
sudo apk add idn2-utils- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
apk95%
libidn2 2.3.8-r0
Encode/Decode library for internationalized domain names
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn#libidn2
sudo apk add libidn2- License: GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
apk95%
libidn2-dev 2.3.8-r0
Encode/Decode library for internationalized domain names (development files)
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn#libidn2
sudo apk add libidn2-dev- License: GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
apk95%
libidn2-doc 2.3.8-r0
Encode/Decode library for internationalized domain names (documentation)
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn#libidn2
sudo apk add libidn2-doc- License: GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
apk95%
libidn2-static 2.3.8-r0
Encode/Decode library for internationalized domain names (static library)
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn#libidn2
sudo apk add libidn2-static- License: GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
dnf95%
idn2 2.3.8-3.fc44
IDNA2008 internationalized domain names conversion tool
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo dnf install idn2- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libidn2
- 5 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
dnf95%
libidn2 2.3.8-3.fc44
Library to support IDNA2008 internationalized domain names
https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/#libidn2
sudo dnf install libidn2- License: (GPL-2.0-or-later OR LGPL-3.0-or-later) AND GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: libidn2
- 3 dependencies
- 3 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libidn2
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment