Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Homebrew throwing unable to load dynamic library error with all versions of PHP on macOS Sierra

Homebrew PHP installation error on macOS Sierra

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling Homebrew and PHP, or use a different PHP version.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The 'Unable to load dynamic library' error with all versions of PHP on macOS Sierra is a frustrating issue that affects users who have installed PHP using Homebrew. This error occurs when the system cannot locate the necessary dynamic libraries required for PHP to function properly.

This problem can be particularly vexing, especially since it seems to affect multiple versions of PHP and installation methods. However, with the right steps, users can resolve this issue and enjoy a smooth PHP experience on their macOS Sierra systems.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that Homebrew may not be correctly installing the necessary dynamic libraries for PHP. This can happen due to a variety of reasons such as incorrect installation parameters, issues with the Homebrew formula, or even problems with the system's package manager.
  • Another possible cause could be related to the way PHP is configured on the system. Specifically, it might be that the system's PHP configuration is not properly set up to use the dynamic libraries required by PHP.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Installing Homebrew Formula with Manual Configuration

  1. Step 1: First, update Homebrew to ensure you have the latest formulas and versions.
  2. Step 2: Next, install PHP using the following command: brew install homebrew/php/php70 --with-httpd24 --with-pear. Be sure to note that this installation method includes the pear module by default.
  3. Step 3: If you want to exclude the pear module during installation, use the following command instead: brew install homebrew/php/php70 --with-httpd24.

Manually Configuring PHP to Use Static Libraries

  1. Step 1: First, locate the path to the PHP source code. This can be found in the /usr/local/Cellar/homebrew/php/php70 directory.
  2. Step 2: Next, navigate to the ext/standard directory within the PHP source code and find the mysqli and gd2 extensions. Replace the dynamic library files with their static counterparts.
  3. Step 3: To do this, you will need to download the static library files for the desired version of PHP from an external source (e.g., a PHP mirror website). Then, copy these files into the ext/standard directory within the PHP source code.

💡 Conclusion

In summary, the 'Unable to load dynamic library' error with all versions of PHP on macOS Sierra can be resolved by either installing Homebrew formula with manual configuration or manually configuring PHP to use static libraries. By following these steps, users should be able to successfully install and run PHP on their macOS Sierra systems.

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