hidapi ☆
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Description:
Library for communicating with USB and Bluetooth HID devices
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: library usb bluetooth hid hardware driver
Install: brew install hidapi
About:
HIDAPI is a cross-platform library that simplifies interaction with USB and Bluetooth Human Interface Devices. It provides a unified, simple API for sending and receiving data, handling device enumeration, and managing reports. This allows developers to easily integrate custom hardware like game controllers, input devices, and other peripherals into their applications.
Key Features:
  • Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD)
  • Simple, high-level API for USB and Bluetooth HID devices
  • Hides platform-specific complexity (e.g., hidraw vs. libusb on Linux)
Use Cases:
  • Developing drivers or applications for custom USB input devices
  • Communicating with microcontrollers acting as HID peripherals
  • Creating software for specialized hardware like game controllers or scientific instruments
Alternatives:
  • libusb – More powerful and flexible for all USB devices, but requires handling low-level USB protocol details yourself.
  • node-hid – A Node.js wrapper around HIDAPI, ideal for JavaScript-based applications.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 10, 2025 8:10am 0 VERSION_BUMP 1c55cc0d
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