After you start your Mac and before opening any apps you can move Xcode to another folder (with holding down the command key and dragging) and then moving it back to the Applications folder. It somehow bypasses the verification and your Mac is going to be working as usual with SIP until a restart. Xcode is the tool developers use to build apps for the Apple ecosystem – MacOS, iOS, and all things Apple. This guide will walk you through how to successfully install Xcode onto your Mac, from start to finish. Here are some handy tips to know before you get started: Xcode only runs on a mac. If you are on a PC, sadly you won't be able to use.
Xcode for Mac OS and iOS
With Xcode you can work inside one window, split windows, and even compare options side by side. Source and project code can be shared across both platforms.
MacOS app developer made simple and easy
Design great apps on either Mac, iPad, or iPhone using Xcode.
MacOS or iOS developers need look no further than the Xcode developer tool to design great apps.
Xcode featuresSwift UI, which offers up its own syntax. Easy to read and write, Swift UI will help keep your apps smaller and download faster by using less code.
Updated functionality now lets you code, test and debug all inside one window. Debugging is done via the Xcode IDE. This added plus can identify errors in syntax and logic, and often fix the code for you.
Newly introduced dark mode is built into Xcode. Interface builder allows you to switch between light and dark modes, or even view them side by side.
The drag and drop function helps you to make changes to visual UI elements, quickly and easily. For developers who prefer multiple editing panes, Xcode provides you with total control of your work area. You can view your design changes instantly in another window.
Use the devices window to simulate other environments. If your users have slow networks or run in extreme heat, you can test those conditions out before releasing your app. For ease of use, source and project code can be shared by Mac and iPad, allowing you to convert existing iPad apps into Mac apps. The changes will take effect across both platforms.
Where can you run this program?
You can run Xcode on OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or iOS 7 and above.
Is there a better alternative?
With its solid functionality, multiple panes, and shared source code, there is no need to look at any alternatives when choosing an app development tool.
Our take
App development tools have come a long way. Xcode is the perfect tool for experienced developers. To be able to code, test, and debug inside the same window, this download will certainly save development time.
Should you download it?
Yes. You won't need another developer tool once you install Xcode. You can share code across OS or iOS.
Highs
- Develop apps for any iOS platform
- Bad code corrected by Xcode IDE
- Code, test, and debug inside one window
- Switch between light and dark mode
- Simulate user environments for testing
Lows
- May not be suitable for beginners
- Apple developer membership required
- Interface isn’t always easy to use
Xcodefor Mac
10.1
Xcode is the tool developers use to build apps for the Apple ecosystem – MacOS, iOS, and all things Apple.
This guide will walk you through how to successfully install Xcode onto your Mac, from start to finish.
Here are some handy tips to know before you get started:
- Xcode only runs on a mac. If you are on a PC, sadly you won't be able to use Xcode.
- You'll need a good, stable internet connection. The latest version is around 8 gigabytes in size.
- Be sure to have at least 30 gigabytes of free space on your computer. The latest
.xipfile (v11.4.1 at the time of writing) is ~8 gigabytes zipped. When you unzip it, that's another 17 gigabytes. Then you'll need the command line tool, which is yet another 1.5 gigabytes.
Here's an overview of the steps to install Xcode
- Download Xcode
- Install the command line tool
- Open the new version
- Delete files
Note that I have listed some Terminal commands in the steps below. These commands can be typed into your present working directory. This means that you don't need to navigate to any particular folder.
If you really want to, you can first type cd before typing the commands in the below steps. This will return you back to the home folder.
Step #1: Download Xcode
There are two ways to do this. For the latest version and a theoretically 'easy' installation, you can use the App Store. I don't recommend this option.
I prefer to use the developer site. This comes with the bonus option of being able to download any version you'd like.
Option #1: Download via the App Store for the latest version (not my preferred option)
In theory, this should be a seamless and pain-free process. But if the installation fails for any reason on the last step, it is very hard to troubleshoot.
There are a few reasons for failure, and no easy way to know which is the underlying cause. If you do encounter a failure, you will need to re-download the entire file again each time you try to fix the failure. As the latest version is 8 gigabytes, I didn't much enjoy this approach.
Mac Catalina Xcode Install
But if you're feeling brave, here are the steps:
- Open the App Store on your mac
- Sign in
- Search for Xcode
- Click install or update
Option 2: Download via the Developer site for a specific version (my preferred option)
- Head to the 'more' section of the Apple developer website
- Sign in with your iTunes account id
- Type in the version that you'd like, and download the
Xcode_x_x_x.xipfile. Keep in mind that Xcode 11.4.1 is 8 gigabytes, so this will take awhile depending on your internet connection. - Once the file is downloaded, click on
.xipto extract it. Your laptop will extract it to the same folder you downloaded it to. This extraction process is automatic. You don't need to do anything more after you click on the.xipfile. This step will take a few minutes. - [Optional] Once extracted, rename the application to “Xcode11.x.x” if you are using multiple versions.
- Drag application to the Applications folder
- [Optional] Set the new Xcode version as the default. Open Terminal and type
sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcodex.x.x.app. Replacex.x.xwith the version number. For example:Xcode11.4.1.app. You will need to enter in your computer admin password. I'm pretty sure this will update the default Xcode version for all users on your computer, so best to check with other users first
Step #2: Install the command line tool (CLT)
If you have multiple users on your computer, you will need to update the CLT for each user.
Download .dmg
To update the CLT, go to app developer website and download the command line tool .dmg.
If you have never installed Xcode before, you may be able to update with your Terminal by typing in xcode-select --install instead of visiting the developer website.
Mac Catalina Xcode Make Minimap Larger
But if you have an existing version of Xcode installed on your machine, you'll probably see this error:
This means you'll need to go to the developer website instead.
Installing the CLT
When the .dmg has finished downloaded, double click the file to open it. This will open a little window that looks like this:
Double click the box and follow the prompts to install the CLT. It will take a few minutes to complete.
It may ask you at the end of the installation whether you want to move this to the trash bin. When it does this, it's talking about moving the .dmg file to the trash bin. Since you should no longer need this file. I always say yes to this.
Step #3: Open Xcode
Open the Applications folder and open the new version of Xcode. If you renamed Xcode, make sure you open the correct application
Xcode may prompt you to install additional components. Click install. This will take a few minutes.
While it's installing, check that your default Xcode version is the one you just downloaded:
- Open Terminal
- Type
brew config - You should see “CLT” and “Xcode” versions, as well as everything else. This should reflect the version that you have just downloaded. In my case, I downloaded Xcode 11.4.1.
Once the components are installed, Xcode will launch. You should be able to pick up your old projects and continue where you left off seamlessly*.
Mac Catalina Xcode-select
*Note that if you use any proxy tools, such as Charles, you will need to re-install those certificates in your simulator again.
If you encounter any errors while trying to build or run a project, check which device you are trying to launch. The new version may not remember the device you were using before. If so, click on the device and choose 'Add additional simulators' from the drop down menu to add the device you want.
Step #4. Delete the files
If you don't need the older versions of Xcode on your computer, you can uninstall them and get some hard drive space back.
You can also delete the .xip file of the version you just downloaded, as well as the CLT.dmg file.
That's everything. I hope this has helped you successfully install Xcode. Have fun with it!