Open, search, and edit binaries
Open binary files, jump to offsets, search for patterns, edit bytes, and save changes from a single macOS window designed for low-friction inspection and editing.
Overview
Hexel Editor is a native macOS hex editor from Shaun Hirst. It is designed for developers, reverse engineers, and security researchers who need to inspect and change binary files without leaving the Mac.
The app combines a hex grid, a navigator, and a live inspector in a document-style window. According to the App Store listing, it can open files of any size, memory-map large files for responsiveness, and save changes with atomic, safe saving to help avoid corruption.
Features
Multiple edit modes with undo
Choose read-only, overwrite, or insert behavior, edit in the hex column nibble by nibble or type directly in the ASCII column, and rely on unlimited undo and redo while working.
Offset and text search options
Find content by hex offsets in hex, octal, or decimal, search hex patterns with ?? wildcards, and search text in UTF-8, UTF-16 LE/BE, or ASCII.
Live data inspector
Inspect the byte under the cursor with live decoding for Int/UInt values from 8 to 64 bits, Float32/64, binary, hex, and strings, with instant little-endian and big-endian switching.
Format parsers for common file types
Use built-in parsers for Mach-O, PE, ELF, PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, ZIP, gzip, and PDF files, and click parsed fields to jump to the underlying bytes.
Bookmarks, notes, and sharing files
Add named, colored bookmarks and plain-text notes to byte ranges, then export or import them as .hexel files for reuse alongside binaries or in a central location.
Use Cases
Reverse engineering and binary inspection
Inspect the structure of executable or data files by opening a binary, jumping to offsets, and using the inspector and field parsers to understand what individual bytes represent.
Targeted byte search
Search for strings, signatures, or byte patterns with wildcards, then move between matches to locate the region you need to review or edit.
Low-level binary editing
Edit a file byte by byte with overwrite, insert, or delete behavior while keeping undo available and saving changes safely when you are done.
Large-file analysis
Work with large files that would be awkward to load in an editor that reads everything into memory, since Hexel Editor memory-maps large files to stay responsive.
Annotating and sharing byte ranges
Mark interesting regions with named bookmarks and notes, then export or import those annotations as .hexel files for later review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports binary opening, navigation, search, and editing in one Mac-native app.
- Handles large files by memory-mapping them, which the listing says keeps the app responsive.
- Includes a live inspector, built-in format parsers, checksums, entropy, and byte-frequency analysis.
- Offers bookmarks, notes, and export/import via .hexel files for annotation workflows.
- States that it has no network access, no analytics, and no tracking.
Cons
- The App Store listing does not provide a full technical specification or exhaustive parser list beyond the formats named on the page.
- The app requires macOS 14.6 or later, which limits use on older Macs.
- The source does not show detailed workflow docs for collaboration, automation, or third-party integrations.
FAQ
What is Hexel Editor used for?
Hexel Editor is a macOS hex editor for opening, navigating, searching, and editing binary files. The source page describes it as built for developers, reverse engineers, and security researchers.
What platform and system version does it require?
The App Store listing says Hexel Editor requires macOS 14.6 or later.
Can it handle large binary files?
The listing states that large files are memory-mapped so they open instantly and stay responsive while you work.
Can I save annotations separately from the binary file?
Yes. The app supports exporting and importing bookmarks and notes as .hexel files, and those can be stored centrally or as sidecar files alongside binaries.
Does Hexel Editor send data off the Mac?
The App Store privacy section says the developer does not collect data from this app, and the listing also states the app has no network access, no analytics, and no tracking.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tools
- Platform
- Mac
- Price
- $6.99
- Developer
- Shaun Hirst
- System requirements
- Requires macOS 14.6 or later
- Source domain
- apps.apple.com
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