How to Set GCC as Default Compiler (Homebrew on macOS)

1. Check Current Compiler

gcc --version

This will give output like:

Apple clang version 16.0.0 (clang-1600.0.26.6)
Target: arm64-apple-darwin24.5.0
Thread model: posix
InstalledDir: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin

2. Install GCC Using Homebrew

• Run:

brew install gcc

• It will be installed somewhere like /opt/homebrew/Cellar/gcc/15.1.0/.
• Go to the bin directory and check the GCC version:

gcc-15 --version

This should point to the Homebrew version.

3. Set Homebrew GCC as Default

• Go to the Homebrew bin directory:

cd /opt/homebrew/bin

• Create symbolic links:

ln -s gcc-15 gcc
ln -s g++-15 g++

4. Verify Default GCC/G++

• Check where the default gcc or g++ is pointing to:

where gcc

Example output:

/opt/homebrew/bin/gcc
/usr/bin/gcc