# How to compile dylib plugin on macOS **URL:** \ **Category:** FMOD Engine\ **Tags:** mac, plugin-api\ **Created:** [March 23, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/how-to-compile-dylib-plugin-on-macos/22726 "2025-03-23T04:24:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kalman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@kalman](https://qa.fmod.com/u/kalman)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/how-to-compile-dylib-plugin-on-macos/22726/1 "2025-03-23T04:24:17Z")
I’m stuck on the first basic step of writing a plugin on macOS - compiling code as a dylib that FMOD will load. There isn’t much documentation on this specifically. What I’ve tried: 1. Downloaded the FMOD engine, extracted it 2. cd into the api/core/examples/plugins directory 3. gcc -dynamiclib fmod\_gain.cpp -I ../../../core/inc -o fmod\_gain.dylib 4. cp fmod\_gain.cpp \ When I open up the project the gain isn’t available as a plugin, and I see a message in the console: 15:17:21 Error loading plugin /Users/…/Plugins/fmod\_gain.dylib: File not found. I’ve also tried putting it in ~/Library/Application\ Support/FMOD\ Studio/Plugins instead, but same “file not found” message. This is an M2 (arm) laptop on Sonoma and I’m using FMOD 2.02.23 for everything. I also tried 2.03 but same issue. I see a couple of other questions about this like [Plugin errors on mac 10.14](https://qa.fmod.com/t/plugin-errors-on-mac-10-14/17132) without responses, but I do need to get this working ideally without switching to Windows. ---
**Author:** ![Connor\_FMOD](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/connor_fmod/32/3685_2.png) [@Connor\_FMOD](https://qa.fmod.com/u/Connor_FMOD)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 6:43am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/how-to-compile-dylib-plugin-on-macos/22726/2 "2025-03-25T06:43:08Z")
Hi, Thank you for the detailed reproduction steps. I have been able to reproduce the issue and will pass it onto our development team to investigate further. I have a workaround but it does require solving the issue in Xcode. 1. Open the Xcode examples project: `FMOD Programmers API/api/core/examples/xcode32/examples.xcworkspace` 2. Open the `fmod_gain` example - Open the `Build Settings` and expand `All` - Under `Architectures` remove the default value ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/5/5cfaf19efd3ff0c249751ba9848a42fc06d6aab3.png) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/c/cc368277a13c6e168ffe6c540f71ac975bd2c7c6.png) and replace it with `x86_64` 1. The build target should now say `My Mac (Rossetta)` ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/f/f2184f1b81c96055b718c930522343739a6c6bb1.jpeg) You can now build the plugin and place it in the plugins folder. Please let me know if you encoutner any issues! ---
**Author:** ![kalman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/59ef9b/32.png) [@kalman](https://qa.fmod.com/u/kalman)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/how-to-compile-dylib-plugin-on-macos/22726/3 "2025-03-27T01:52:18Z")
Thanks Connor, works great, though my xcode is a little different to yours (16.2?) what worked for me is enabling “Any Mac” under “build” in the “Product \> Destination” main menu. ![Screenshot 2025-03-27 at 12.51.49 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/4/4b927789ccd79123d63433fa76eef81590978b75.png) ![Screenshot 2025-03-27 at 12.48.34 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/e/ef8af68865bfe57e683c2ca9319308eb15511798.png) ---
**Author:** ![Connor\_FMOD](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/connor_fmod/32/3685_2.png) [@Connor\_FMOD](https://qa.fmod.com/u/Connor_FMOD)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2025, 3:22am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/how-to-compile-dylib-plugin-on-macos/22726/4 "2025-03-27T03:22:54Z")
Good to hear it worked! Thank you for sharing your solution!