Black Magic Debug
What it is
Black Magic Debug is a free JTAG/SWD debugger for embedded microcontrollers, aimed at professional embedded software developers who want control over their build and testing environments. Its firmware provides a GDB server that detects targets automatically, without target-specific configuration scripts. Debugging features include watchpoints, flash memory breakpoints, memory and register examination, and flash programming. The project describes support for ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-A microcontrollers and lists ARM Cortex-M, ARM Cortex-A, and RISC-V among its target platforms. Remote debugging is supported. The probe connects to a host as a standard USB CDC ACM virtual serial device; Linux and macOS need no special drivers for this interface. The debugger works with Windows, Linux, and Mac environments, and documentation includes guides for PlatformIO and STM32CubeIDE. The GDB server also supports semihosting and host I/O, Serial Wire Output, and USB DFU firmware upgrades. A desktop application can be compiled and used with BMP, ST-Link, FTDI-MPSSE, SEGGER J-Link, and CMSIS-DAP adapters. Getting started requires a Black Magic Probe and a suitable target processor toolchain. Programming is a little slower in desktop-app mode.
For and against
For
- Automatic target detection in the GDB server.
- Supports watchpoints and flash memory breakpoints.
- Memory and register examination are included.
- Works with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
- Remote debugging is supported.
Against
- Requires a Black Magic Probe.
- Requires a suitable target processor toolchain.
- Programming is slower in desktop-app mode.
The verdict
Black Magic Debug combines automatic target detection with a broad set of debugging tools and host support. Check the required probe and toolchain, and account for slower programming when using the desktop application.
Who it suits
It suits embedded developers working with supported microcontrollers who want GDB-based debugging across Windows, Linux, or Mac environments. Users need a compatible Black Magic Probe and a suitable toolchain to get started.
Plans and prices
Black Magic Debug software
JTAG/SWD debugger for embedded microcontrollers · requires compatible probe hardware and a suitable toolchain
Read 8 Oct 2026 · black-magic.org
On the record
- Additional capabilities
- The GDB server supports semihosting/host I/O, Serial Wire Output, and USB DFU firmware upgrades.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Additional features
- The project lists Semihosting/Host IO, Serial Wire Output support, and USB DFU firmware upgrades.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The documentation says programming speed is a little slower when using the desktop app, though BMP development may be faster because no firmware upload is needed.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Debug features
- It supports watchpoints, flash memory breakpoints, memory and register examination, and flash programming.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Debugging features
- It supports watchpoints, flash memory breakpoints, memory and register examination, and flash programming.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- GDB server
- Black Magic Debug firmware implements a GDB server that supports automatic target detection and does not require target-specific configuration scripts.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirement
- Getting started says users need a Black Magic Probe and a suitable toolchain for the target processor.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware status
- The supported-hardware page marks Black Magic Probe V2.3 active and several older probe models as legacy and not in production.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Host support
- The debugger works with Windows, Linux, and Mac environments.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation includes usage guides for PlatformIO and STM32CubeIDE.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project focuses on professional embedded software developers who want control over their build systems and testing environments.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Black Magic Debug is a mostly plug-and-play JTAG/SWD debugger for embedded microcontrollers.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security and trust
- The project describes Black Magic Probe as open source, saying users can inspect it, and its FAQ says automatically built firmware images are available for official hardware.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Standalone app
- The project can be compiled as a desktop application and can use BMP, ST-Link, FTDI-MPSSE, SEGGER J-Link, and CMSIS-DAP adapters.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Standalone app limitation
- The site says programming is a little slower in the standalone app mode, though BMP development may be faster because firmware upload is not needed.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project documentation points users to a Discord channel and mailing list, and the home page invites users to contact the project with questions or suggestions.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported environments
- The project states that it works with Windows, Linux, and Mac environments.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported processors
- The project describes support for ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-A based microcontrollers.black-magic.org · read 8 Oct 2026
