brew

Install librtlsdr with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Use Realtek DVB-T dongles as a cheap SDR. Version 2.0.2 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.

Install command Security notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install librtlsdr

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install rtl-sdr

MacPorts ports tree · science/rtl-sdr/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%

sudo apk add librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · librtlsdr · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%

sudo apt install librtlsdr-dev

Debian stable package indexes · librtlsdr-dev · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%

sudo dnf install rtl-sdr

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · rtl-sdr · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#rtl-sdr

nixpkgs package indexes · rtl-sdr · source: raw.githubusercontent.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%

sudo pacman -S rtl-sdr

Arch Linux sync databases · rtl-sdr · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%

sudo zypper install librtlsdr0

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · librtlsdr0 · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Use Realtek DVB-T dongles as a cheap SDR

Project links

Commands and aliases

rtl_adsb
rtl_biast
rtl_eeprom
rtl_fm
rtl_power
rtl_sdr
rtl_tcp
rtl_test

history

Project history and usage

librtlsdr is the library and tool suite that turned inexpensive Realtek RTL2832U DVB-T USB receivers into general-purpose software-defined radio receivers. Its importance comes from making SDR experimentation cheap enough to become normal in amateur radio, security research, ADS-B tracking, and signal-analysis tutorials.

Project history

The Osmocom rtl-sdr wiki states that RTL2832U-based DVB-T dongles can be used as cheap SDR devices because the chip can transfer raw I/Q samples to the host. It credits Eric Fry with discovering that possibility and lists Steve Markgraf, Dimitri Stolnikov, and Hoernchen as developers, with contributions from Kyle Keen, Christian Vogel, and Harald Welte.

The official wiki points to Osmocom source, source-release tarballs, and an official GitHub mirror with tagged releases. The GitHub repository was created in January 2013, and the signed v0.5.0 tag followed in June 2013.

Adoption history

Osmocom's wiki lists many applications and wrappers using librtlsdr directly or through GNU Radio, including gqrx, rtl_fm, rtl_adsb, dump1090, rtl_433, pyrtlsdr, python-librtlsdr, GNSS-SDR, and LTE-Cell-Scanner. That list shows how one hardware quirk became a shared base layer for many SDR applications.

How it is used

The installed tools cover testing, raw capture, TCP streaming, FM demodulation, ADS-B reception, EEPROM configuration, and bias-tee control. The library is also used through GNU Radio source blocks and language wrappers when applications need to stream samples instead of invoking command-line tools.

Why package nerds care

librtlsdr is package-nerd-famous because it converts commodity TV-tuner hardware into a science and radio tool. A small C library, libusb, udev rules, and several tiny executables made a whole class of cheap USB dongles useful beyond their advertised purpose.

Timeline

2013: The GitHub mirror was created in January and the signed v0.5.0 tag was made in June.
2013: Osmocom documented source checkout, source tarballs, GNU Radio integration, and known applications around rtl-sdr.
2023: Signed v0.6.0 and v2.0.0 tags were published in November.
2024: Signed v2.0.2 was published in April.

Related projects

Related projects include Osmocom, gr-osmosdr, GNU Radio, gqrx, dump1090, rtl_433, pyrtlsdr, python-librtlsdr, and Realtek RTL2832U tuner dongles.

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 10 platform targets.
Installs with 1 runtime dependencies.
Build metadata lists 2 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
`rtl_adsb`	cli	global executable
`rtl_biast`	cli	global executable
`rtl_eeprom`	cli	global executable
`rtl_fm`	cli	global executable
`rtl_power`	cli	global executable
`rtl_sdr`	cli	global executable
`rtl_tcp`	cli	global executable
`rtl_test`	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 version2.0.2

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv2.0.2

https://github.com/steve-m/librtlsdr

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:librtlsdr
Version	2.0.2
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/librtlsdr
Homepage	https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr/wiki
Repository	https://github.com/steve-m/librtlsdr
Upstream docs	https://github.com/steve-m/librtlsdr#readme
License	GPL-2.0-or-later
Source archive	https://github.com/steve-m/librtlsdr/archive/refs/tags/v2.0.2.tar.gz
Dependencies	libusb
Build dependencies	cmake, pkgconf
Bottle	available (on arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, monterey, 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	librtlsdr
Aliases	rtl-sdr
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	head stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

apk95%

librtlsdr 2.0.2-r1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U

https://osmocom.org/projects/sdr/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo apk add librtlsdr

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: librtlsdr
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: librtlsdr from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

librtlsdr-dev 2.0.2-r1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (development files)

https://osmocom.org/projects/sdr/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo apk add librtlsdr-dev

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: librtlsdr
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: librtlsdr-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

librtlsdr-doc 2.0.2-r1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (doc)

https://osmocom.org/projects/sdr/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo apk add librtlsdr-doc

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: librtlsdr
normalized package name match
Matched by: Librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: librtlsdr-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

librtlsdr-udev 2.0.2-r1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (udev rules)

https://osmocom.org/projects/sdr/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo apk add librtlsdr-udev

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: librtlsdr
normalized package name match
Matched by: Librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: librtlsdr-udev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

rtl-sdr 2.0.2-r1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (tools)

https://osmocom.org/projects/sdr/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo apk add rtl-sdr

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: librtlsdr
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Librtlsdr

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: rtl-sdr from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

MacPorts94%

rtl-sdr

sudo port install rtl-sdr

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: science/rtl-sdr/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Debian apt92%

librtlsdr-dev 2.0.2-2+b1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (development)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install librtlsdr-dev

Section: libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: rtl-sdr
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: librtlsdr-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt92%

librtlsdr0 2.0.2-2+b1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (library)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install librtlsdr0

Section: libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: rtl-sdr
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: librtlsdr0 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt92%

rtl-sdr 2.0.2-2+b1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (tools)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install rtl-sdr

Section: libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: rtl-sdr
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: rtl-sdr from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Nix92%

rtl-sdr

nix profile install nixpkgs#rtl-sdr

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

nixpkgs package indexes · raw.githubusercontent.com · nixpkgs package indexes: rtl-sdr from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix

Ubuntu apt92%

librtlsdr-dev 2.0.1-2build1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (development)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install librtlsdr-dev

Section: universe/libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: rtl-sdr
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: librtlsdr-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt92%

librtlsdr2 2.0.1-2build1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (library)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install librtlsdr2

Section: universe/libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: rtl-sdr
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: librtlsdr2 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt92%

rtl-sdr 2.0.1-2build1

Software defined radio receiver for Realtek RTL2832U (tools)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr

sudo apt install rtl-sdr

Section: universe/libs
Architecture: amd64
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: rtl-sdr from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

dnf92%

rtl-sdr 2.0.1-7.fc44

SDR utilities for Realtek RTL2832 based DVB-T dongles

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo dnf install rtl-sdr

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: rtl-sdr
5 dependencies
3 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: rtl-sdr from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

dnf92%

rtl-sdr-devel 2.0.1-7.fc44

Development files for rtl-sdr

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr

sudo dnf install rtl-sdr-devel

License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: rtl-sdr
4 dependencies
3 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: rtl-sdr-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

pacman92%

rtl-sdr 1:2.0.2-1

Driver for Realtek RTL2832U, allowing general purpose software defined radio (SDR)

https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr/wiki

sudo pacman -S rtl-sdr

License: GPL-2.0-only
Architecture: x86_64
2 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Rtl Sdr

Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: rtl-sdr from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz

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.

combined/librtlsdr.yml

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

Install librtlsdr with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Additional install commands

macOS

Linux

Package summary

Project links

Commands and aliases

Project history and usage

Project history

Adoption history

How it is used

Why package nerds care

Timeline

Related projects

Sources

Risk level: green

Risk classifier

Why

Signals

Install behavior

Recommended review

Installed executables

Version and freshness

Package metadata

Source database details

Other package-manager records

Internal package links

Topical hubs

Related tools

Same workflow

Agent security guides

Generated from repository data

Combined YAML source

Used sources