How to Build Universal macOS Binaries with Rust

Build universal macOS binaries by compiling for both x86_64 and aarch64 targets, then merging them with lipo. First, install the Apple Silicon target if you are on an Intel Mac, then compile your binary for both architectures and combine them into a single executable.

rustup target add x86_64-apple-darwin aarch64-apple-darwin
cargo build --target x86_64-apple-darwin --release
cargo build --target aarch64-apple-darwin --release
lipo -create -output target/universal/release/my_binary target/x86_64-apple-darwin/release/my_binary target/aarch64-apple-darwin/release/my_binary

Note: Replace my_binary with your actual crate name.

Building universal macOS binaries with Rust creates one single file that runs on both older Intel Macs and newer Apple Silicon Macs. Instead of making two separate versions of your app, you build both and glue them together into a "universal" file. It's like packing a suitcase with both a winter coat and a t-shirt so you are ready for any weather without needing two bags.