---
layout: journal_single

author: Charles #case sensitive, please use capitalization for names.

title: Configure a Static Qt5 from Source on Ubuntu 18.04 with X11 Support
sub_heading: Compiling & Configuring Qt from Source

banner_image: "/uploads/2021/quantum-qt5.webp" #Size of banner_image 840x473
banner_image_alt: "Qt5 Compile"

category: Tutorials
tag: Linux, ARM64, RPi 400, Qt5

updated: December 4, 2021
---
### Configure, Build, Install & Setup Qt 5.15.2 Source on Ubuntu 18.04 with X11 Support

This tutorial will teach you how to compile from source via CLI (command-line interface) and enable customization for building Qt5 apps on different operating systems andor hardware architectures like RPI400. 

When compiling Qt5 yourself, you are empowered with a configuration that is constant throughout the Linux Universe. This process is also very similar with compiling Qt apps on your (AArch64) ARM64 devices like RPi 400, Rock64 & PineBook64.

*Note: This tutorial doesn't include json Qtwebengine*

### What is Qt?
"Qt is a cross-platform application development framework for desktop, embedded and mobile." [Qt Wiki]

### What is a Static Qt? 
In general, a static Qt option includes libraries locally. This aids in having an application run on different versions of Linux distros. When the application is compiled, we check the app with *ldd yourapp* to list what the binary is dependent on to run. Essentially, the Qt libraries are included in the binary. Decovar.dev has a great explanation on advantages and disadvantages of building a static Qt. [At last, let's build Qt statically]

### Let's Begin!

#### Remove & purge all Qt packages
```
sudo apt -y remove qt5* libqt5* qtcreator && sudo autoremove
```

#### Download Qt 5.15.2 Source to qt5-sources folder
```
mkdir qt5-sources && cd qt5-sources && mkdir build-shadow

wget https://download.qt.io/official_releases/qt/5.15/5.15.2/single/qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2.tar.xz
```

##### Verify MD5 hash
```
md5sum qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2.tar.xz
```
```
e1447db4f06c841d8947f0a6ce83a7b5  qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2.tar.xz
```

##### Un-tar Qt5 archive
```
tar xf qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2.tar.xz
```

##### Move into build-shadow directory to configure your Qt 5.15.2
```
cd build-shadow
```

#### Install Qt5 Minimal Dependencies
```
sudo apt update

sudo apt install build-essential libfontconfig1-dev libdbus-1-dev libfreetype6-dev libicu-dev libinput-dev libxkbcommon-dev libsqlite3-dev libssl-dev libpng-dev libjpeg-dev libglib2.0-dev
```

##### (Optional) Install VC4 Drivers for RPi 4 type devices (i.e. cortex-a53 & cortex-a72)
```
sudo apt install libgles2-mesa-dev libgbm-dev libdrm-dev
```
#### (Optional) Install X11 Support Dependencies
```
sudo apt install libx11-dev libxcb1-dev  libxext-dev libxi-dev libxcomposite-dev libxcursor-dev libxtst-dev libxrandr-dev libfontconfig1-dev libfreetype6-dev libx11-xcb-dev libxext-dev libxfixes-dev libxi-dev libxrender-dev libxcb1-dev  libxcb-glx0-dev  libxcb-keysyms1-dev libxcb-image0-dev  libxcb-shm0-dev libxcb-icccm4-dev libxcb-sync-dev libxcb-xfixes0-dev libxcb-shape0-dev  libxcb-randr0-dev  libxcb-render-util0-dev  libxcb-util0-dev  libxcb-xinerama0-dev  libxcb-xkb-dev libxkbcommon-dev libxkbcommon-x11-dev
```

#### Configure Qt 5.15.2
```
../qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2/configure -static -release -openssl-linked -opensource -confirm-license -qt-zlib -qt-libpng -bundled-xcb-xinput \
-skip qtlocation -skip qtmacextras -skip qtpurchasing -skip qtscript -skip qtsensors -skip qtserialbus -skip qtserialport -skip qtspeech -skip qtdatavis3d -skip qtdoc -skip qtcharts -skip qtdeclarative -skip qt3d -skip qtwebengine -skip qtandroidextras -skip qtwebview -skip qtgamepad -skip qtquickcontrols -skip qtquickcontrols2 -skip qtremoteobjects -skip qtwebview -skip qtwebchannel -skip qtwebglplugin \
-nomake examples -nomake tests  -feature-fontconfig -no-feature-getentropy -v
```

*If you would like to see a full list of options, we can do **../qt-everywhere-src-5.15.2/configure -h**

##### Make the configuration *(-j 4 is number of cpus you want to use)*
```
make -j 4
```

##### Install Qt5 into: *(default) /usr/local/*
```
sudo make install
```
*Note: Check and make sure ./configure has required deps; if you installed the deps, but still receiving errors, remove config.cache and ./configure again.*

**Tip:** *If you want to view your configuration summary, you may do so via nano config.summary from build-shadow directory*

#### Update profile to know where Qt5.15.2 bins are
```
nano ~/.bashrc
```

##### Add this at the bottom of your .bashrc file.
```
# set PATH for Qt 5.15.2
export PATH="/usr/local/Qt-5.15.2/bin:$PATH"
```

##### Reload your ~/.bashrc file & create new shell window.
```
source ~/.bashrc
CTRL+SHIFT+T
ALT+1
exit
```
##### Verify Qt 5.15.2 has been installed
```
qmake --version
```

```
QMake version 3.1
Using Qt version 5.15.2 in /usr/local/Qt-5.15.2/lib
```
#### Build your happy Qt5 app

```
./build.sh
```
#### Support & Questions
[sharpetronics.github](https://github.com/SharpeTronics/sharpetronics.github.io/issues)

![happy little apps](/uploads/2021/bob-ross-happy.gif)

#### References
[tal.org/rpi](https://www.tal.org/tutorials/building-qt-515-raspberry-pi)

[doc.qt.io/qtmodules](https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qtmodules.html)

[wiki.qt.io/about](https://wiki.qt.io/About_Qt)

[why-build-qt-statically](https://decovar.dev/blog/2018/02/17/build-qt-statically/#why-build-qt-statically)