Compiling the product as universal binary would simplify distribution (only one download) and installation/migration in a mixed system setup.
Well, we don't turn on the universal build for multiple reason : - Dependencies can be broken. - PKG size explode. - Binary compatibility with older MacOS version is lost. Best regards Gilles Caulier
I enabled universal compilation in Macports for testing. arm64 pass, Intel Pass, but not universal in the harfbuzz port : :debug:build system: cd "/opt/digikam.org.arm64/var/macports/build/_opt_digikam.org.arm64_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_graphics_harfbuzz/harfbuzz/work/build-arm64" && /opt/digikam.org.arm64/bin/ninja -j10 CFLAGS+="-arch arm64" LDFLAGS+="-arch arm64" -v :info:build ninja: error: unknown target 'CFLAGS+=-arch arm64' :info:build Command failed: cd "/opt/digikam.org.arm64/var/macports/build/_opt_digikam.org.arm64_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_graphics_harfbuzz/harfbuzz/work/build-arm64" && /opt/digikam.org.arm64/bin/ninja -j10 CFLAGS+="-arch arm64" LDFLAGS+="-arch arm64" -v :info:build Exit code: 1 Do not ask me why. Universal compatibility with all ports is not yet guaranty. Best regards Gilles Caulier
Downstream bug : https://trac.macports.org/ticket/71699
Git commit df5f5f9cb11ab0d213767e1782575cdc3f4ec612 by Gilles Caulier. Committed on 10/05/2025 at 07:08. Pushed by cgilles into branch 'master'. add Main option to build universal bundle M +1 -1 project/bundles/macports/01-build-macports.sh M +3 -0 project/bundles/macports/config.sh https://invent.kde.org/graphics/digikam/-/commit/df5f5f9cb11ab0d213767e1782575cdc3f4ec612
A new entry from Macports which is broken using universal target : https://trac.macports.org/ticket/72800
Git commit 401fa00fca4b69cef224dd55a44f0fa82e7f85ec by Gilles Caulier. Committed on 10/08/2025 at 07:48. Pushed by cgilles into branch 'master'. handle properly the universal configuration everywhere, eg. all cmake build target, install dir, and log file prefix. M +4 -4 project/bundles/macports/01-build-macports.sh M +1 -1 project/bundles/macports/02-build-extralibs.sh M +3 -3 project/bundles/macports/03-build-digikam.sh M +2 -2 project/bundles/macports/04-build-installer.sh M +21 -9 project/bundles/macports/config.sh M +4 -4 project/bundles/macports/makeall.sh M +5 -5 project/bundles/macports/update.sh https://invent.kde.org/graphics/digikam/-/commit/401fa00fca4b69cef224dd55a44f0fa82e7f85ec
I will close this file as INTENTIONNAL. Reasons : 1- Apple ask to drop Intel support into the universal PKG/DMG : https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/01/apple-tells-mac-app-store-developers-they-can-now-drop-intel-support/ 2- Even if macports used to build the macOS package can support Universal target, this never work properly. We have an Intel PKG and a Silicon one, that fine. Both compile fine separately. 3- The day are numbers for the macOS Intel support. We have an old macbook pro 2015 used for that. Until it works, the PKG will be build, he it die that all, it will be over. 4- Intel PKG still compiled with Qt5. Last LTS 5.15.19 is out this year and it's over. For security reason, digiKam 9.2.0 for macOS Intel will be the last one. Best regards Gilles Caulier