Hex-Rays' blog

Releasing IDA 8.5: nanoMIPS, WASM, and More

Written by Hex-Rays SA | Feb 28, 2025

With IDA 8.5, we bring you some critical fixes, UI enhancements, and updates to the IDA API/SDK and IDB. IDA 8.5 will help users on perpetual terms gradually migrate to the IDA 9-series.

Please mind that IDA 8.5 does not support features specific to the 9-series platform, such as x64 exceptions, IDA feeds and others.

 

If you have a perpetual license with active support and have not yet started using IDA 9.0 or IDA 9.1, you can now download IDA 8.5 from our customer portal.
 
Alternatively, please note that you can also download a free version of IDA 9.1 by requesting a license key from our customer portal, My Hex-Rays."

 

IDA 8.5 brings a range of enhancements. This update introduces nanoMIPS support, along with a new WebAssembly (WASM) disassembler and loader. We've also refined the IDAPython API, and more. Read on for a closer look at what’s new. 

 

nanoMIPS support

In IDA 8.5, the MIPS disassembler and decompiler now support nanoMIPS instructions. Since firmware compiled for nanoMIPS is often distributed in md1rom format, we’ve also added a md1rom file loader that parses and applies debug symbols when available.

nanoMIPS support is included in the classic MIPS (HEXMIPS) decompiler, so if you already have the MIPS decompiler, you won’t need an additional decompiler.

 

WebAssembly (WASM) Disassembler and File Format Loader

With the shift toward client-side browser applications, we saw the need for a dedicated WebAssembly (WASM) disassembler. IDA 8.5 now includes WASM code embedded into its own binary file format as well as a loader that decodes the WASM file format.

 

IDAPython Improvements

The C++ SDK and IDAPython API have been revised. We've added several helpers to improve our API user experience. These new endpoints, among other things, streamline managing and operating on types.

We also have a few other goodies to assist with accessibility and usage of our API: 


Other Feature Enhancements Include:

  • Deprecated IDA32
  • Metadata Descriptors for Plugins
  • UI Improvements

Bugfixes and More

  • Full release notes and a complete list of bug fixes can be viewed here.

 

Keep us in the loop!

 

 

Getting the 8.5 update

If you have IDA 8.4 in active support you will still be able to download your hexlic key for IDA 8.5 in the "Licenses" tab of the MyHex-rays portal

 

 

Getting your hands on IDA 9.1

If you have a perpetual license in active support, you can download IDA 9.1 free of charge! To start using IDA 9.1 today you can access the installer in our new customer portal, My Hex-Rays. There you can request a license key for your free subscription. Please note that the license key for your free IDA 9.1 subscription will expire at the end of your active support period. You can find detailed instructions on how to upgrade to IDA 9 here. 

 

Support plan expired? No problem.

You can purchase an updated license online here. You’ll see we’ve updated our product packages. If your previous plan doesn’t align with our new offerings, fear not, we’re here to help. We’ve been working with all our customers to ensure they get a plan that is the right fit (and price) for them. Just email us at sales@hex-rays.com