MacOS build instructions that works

[The_Ur3an_Myth]

For those that would want to compile PPSSPP from source into a working build but the instructions on the website don't work, this might work for you.

These are the steps I take to get it to build. I am on High Sierra


Step 1: Download the Source Code

Install git and check out the source code

Code:

git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/hrydgard/ppsspp.git

(This part never works for me but might for you):

Code:

git pull --rebase https://github.com/hrydgard/ppsspp.git

Step 2: Install XCode Command Line Tools

Code:

xcode-select --install

Ensure Homebrew is installed for the next step with this command:

Code:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 3: Install necessary packages through Homebrew

Code:

brew install sdl2 cmake libzip qt5 snappy

This step takes quite a while depending on your system (mine was just under 30mins iirc)

Step 4: Install/Upgrade required dependencies

Code:

brew upgrade
brew install sdl2 cmake

I know we just installed sdl2 and cmake but I am putting this as extra precaution

Step 5: Building the emulator via CMake

This piece

Code:

./b.sh

never worked for me regardless of setting the path to the source or not. If it does work for you, then great.

I instead have to use this:

Code:

cmake path/to/ppsspp

. You can just Drag & Drop the folder into Terminal and it'll have the path for you. e.g.

Code:

cmake /Users/User1/ppsspp

. This is where the folder will be downloaded to by default.

Then finally:

Code:

make -j 4

Again, this will also take some time depending on your machine.


Side note, some commands may or may not work, I'm just posting this as it has worked for me time and again except for v1.12.x, always had problems be it via cmake or just the source.