Xcode is the tool developers use to build apps for the Apple ecosystem – MacOS, iOS, and all things Apple.
- Catalina Xcode Version
- How To Install Xcode On Catalina
- Xcode Version For Catalina
- How To Update Xcode Catalina
Here are the versions that I have: Xcode - 11.3.1; macOS - 10.14.6; iOS - 14.2; The App Store says I need to have at least macOS 10.15.4 to download the latest Xcode. The upgrade to Big Sur is huge and I'm running fairly low on space on my Mac, so I'd rather just upgrade to Catalina, but I can't seem to find a standalone download (i.e., not an. Found out Xcode 12.5 Beta only works on Big Sur. Will they support Catalina in later beta versions? Still running a 2012 MacBook Pro Retina with plans to get the Silicon 16' whenever that comes around. Was expecting support to stop with Xcode 13. Didn't think this would happen so soon!
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
.xip
file (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.
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.xip
file. 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
.xip
to 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.xip
file. 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.x
with 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.
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*.
*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!
Xcode is a complete developer toolset for creating apps for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Xcode brings user interface design, coding, testing, debugging, and submitting to the App Store into a unified workflow.
Downloading and updating Xcode
The current release of Xcode is available as a free download from the Mac App Store. The Mac App Store will notify you when an update is available or you can have macOS update automatically as it becomes available.
The latest beta version and previous versions of Xcode can be downloaded from the Downloads page. To download Xcode, simply sign in with your Apple ID.Apple Developer Program membership is not required.
Using Xcode
Get step-by-step guidance on how to use Xcode to build, test, and submit apps to the App Store.
Submitting apps to the App Store using Xcode
Xcode provides an integrated workflow for Apple Developer Program members to prepare and submit apps to the App Store. Use the latest version of Xcode available on the Mac App Store to submit your apps or, when available, the latest Release Candidate from the Downloads page.
Don't submit apps built using beta software, as beta versions of Xcode, Operating Systems, and SDKs are for development and testing only.
Learning about changes to Xcode
To learn about the latest features and capabilities in Xcode, see What’s New in Xcode. For update details in the latest released versions, including each beta release, see the Xcode Release Notes.
Minimum requirements and supported SDKs
Xcode Version | Minimum OS Required | SDK | Architecture | Deployment Targets | Simulator | Swift |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xcode 13 beta | macOS Big Sur 11.3 | iOS 15 macOS 12 tvOS 15 watchOS 8 DriverKit 21 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-15 iPadOS 13-15 macOS 10.9-12 tvOS 9-15 watchOS 2-8 DriverKit 19-21 | iOS 10.3.1-15 tvOS 10.2-15 watchOS 3.2-8 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.5 |
Xcode 12.5.1 | macOS Big Sur 11 | iOS 14.5 macOS 11.3 tvOS 14.5 watchOS 7.4 DriverKit 20.4 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.7 iPadOS 13-14.7 macOS 10.9-11.5 tvOS 9-14.7 watchOS 2-7.6 DriverKit 19-20.4 | iOS 10.3.1-14.5 tvOS 10.2-14.5 watchOS 3.2-7.4 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.4 |
Xcode 12.5 | macOS Big Sur 11 | iOS 14.5 macOS 11.3 tvOS 14.5 watchOS 7.4 DriverKit 20.4 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.6 iPadOS 13-14.6 macOS 10.9-11.4 tvOS 9-14.6 watchOS 2-7.5 DriverKit 19-20.4 | iOS 10.3.1-14.5 tvOS 10.2-14.5 watchOS 3.2-7.4 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.4 |
Xcode 12.4 | macOS Catalina 10.15.4 (Intel-based Mac) macOS Big Sur 11 (Apple silicon Mac) | iOS 14.4 macOS 11.1 tvOS 14.3 watchOS 7.2 DriverKit 20.2 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.4 iPadOS 13-14.4 macOS 10.9-11.1 tvOS 9-14.3 watchOS 2-7.2 DriverKit 19-20.2 | iOS 10.3.1-14.4 tvOS 10.2-14.3 watchOS 3.2-7.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.3 |
Xcode 12.3 | macOS Catalina 10.15.4 (Intel-based Mac) macOS Big Sur 11 (Apple silicon Mac) | iOS 14.3 macOS 11.1 tvOS 14.3 watchOS 7.2 DriverKit 20.2 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.3 iPadOS 13-14.3 macOS 10.9-11.1 tvOS 9-14.3 watchOS 2-7.2 DriverKit 19-20.2 | iOS 10.3.1-14.3 tvOS 10.2-14.3 watchOS 3.2-7.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.3 |
Xcode 12.2 | macOS Catalina 10.15.4 (Intel-based Mac) macOS Big Sur 11 (Apple silicon Mac) | iOS 14.2 macOS 11 tvOS 14.2 watchOS 7.1 DriverKit 20 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.2 iPadOS 13-14.2 macOS 10.9-11 tvOS 9-14.2 watchOS 2-7.1 DriverKit 19-20 | iOS 10.3.1-14.2 tvOS 10.2-14.2 watchOS 3.2-7.1 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.3 |
Xcode 12.1 | macOS Catalina 10.15.4 (Intel-based Mac) macOS Big Sur 11 (Apple silicon Mac) | iOS 14.1 macOS 10.15.6 tvOS 14 watchOS 7 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.1 iPadOS 13-14.1 macOS 10.9-11 tvOS 9-14 watchOS 2-7 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-14.1 tvOS 10.2-14 watchOS 2-7 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.3 |
Xcode 12 | macOS Catalina 10.15.4 (Intel-based Mac) | iOS 14 macOS 10.15.6 tvOS 14 watchOS 7 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14 iPadOS 13-14 macOS 10.6-10.15.6 tvOS 9-14 watchOS 2-7 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-14 tvOS 10.2-14 watchOS 3.2-7 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.3 |
Xcode 11.7 | macOS Catalina 10.15.2 | iOS 13.7 macOS 10.15.6 tvOS 13.4 watchOS 6.2 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.7 iPadOS 13-13.7 macOS 10.6-10.15.6 tvOS 9-13.4 watchOS 2-6.2 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.7 tvOS 10.2-13.4 watchOS 3.2-6.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.2 |
Xcode 11.6 | macOS Catalina 10.15.2 | iOS 13.6 macOS 10.15.6 tvOS 13.4 watchOS 6.2 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.6 iPadOS 13-13.6 macOS 10.6-10.5.6 tvOS 9-13.4 watchOS 2-6.2 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.6 tvOS 10.2-13.4 watchOS 3.2-6.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.2 |
Xcode 11.5 | macOS Catalina 10.15.2 | iOS 13.5 macOS 10.15.4 tvOS 13.4 watchOS 6.2 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.5 iPadOS 13-13.5 macOS 10.6-10.15.4 tvOS 9-13.4 watchOS 2-6.2 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.5 tvOS 10.2-13.4 watchOS 3.2-6.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.2 |
Xcode 11.4.x | macOS Catalina 10.15.2 | iOS 13.4 macOS 10.15.4 tvOS 13.4 watchOS 6.2 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.4.x iPadOS 13-13.4.x macOS 10.6-10.15.4 tvOS 9-13.4 watchOS 2-6.2 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.4.x tvOS 10.2-13.4 watchOS 3.2-6.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.2 |
Xcode 11.3.x | macOS Mojave 10.14.4 | iOS 13.3 macOS 10.15.2 tvOS 13.3 watchOS 6.1.1 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.3 iPadOS 13-13.3 macOS 10.6-10.15.2 tvOS 9-13.3 watchOS 2-6.1.1 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.3 tvOS 10.2-13.3 watchOS 3.2-6.1.1 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.1 |
Xcode 11.2.x | macOS Mojave 10.14.4 | iOS 13.2 macOS 10.15.1 tvOS 13.2 watchOS 6.1 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.2.x iPadOS 13-13.2.x macOS 10.6-10.15.1 tvOS 9-13.2 watchOS 2-6.1 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.2.x tvOS 10.2-13.2 watchOS 3.2-6.1 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.1 |
Xcode 11.1 | macOS Mojave 10.14.4 | iOS 13.1 macOS 10.15 tvOS 13 watchOS 6 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13.1 iPadOS 13-13.1 macOS 10.6-10.15 tvOS 9-13 watchOS 2-6 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13.1 tvOS 10.2-13 watchOS 3.2-6 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.1 |
Xcode 11 | macOS Mojave 10.14.4 | iOS 13 macOS 10.15 tvOS 13 watchOS 6 DriverKit 19 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-13 iPadOS 13-13 macOS 10.6-10.15 tvOS 9-13 watchOS 2-6 DriverKit 19 | iOS 10.3.1-13 tvOS 10.2-13 watchOS 3.2-6 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5.1 |
Xcode 10.3 | macOS Mojave 10.14.3 | iOS 12.4 macOS 10.14.6 tvOS 12.4 watchOS 5.3 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-12.4 macOS 10.6-10.14.6 tvOS 9-12.4 watchOS 2-5.3 | iOS 10.3.1-12.4 tvOS 10.2-12.4 watchOS 3.2-5.3 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5 |
Xcode 10.2x | macOS Mojave 10.14.3 | iOS 12.2 macOS 10.14.4 tvOS 12.2 watchOS 5.2 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 8-12.2 macOS 10.6-10.14.4 tvOS 9-12.2 watchOS 2-5.2 | iOS 8.1-12.2 tvOS 9-12.2 watchOS 2-5.2 | Swift 4 Swift 4.2 Swift 5 |
Legend
Minimum OS Required: The version of macOS required to install this version of Xcode.
SDK: The version of SDKs included in this version of Xcode.
Catalina Xcode Version
Architecture: The architectures supported for development by this version of Xcode.
OS: The iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS versions supported by this version of Xcode for developing, installing, and debugging applications.
Simulator: Versions of iOS, tvOS, and watchOS simulators supported for development by this version of Xcode.
Swift: Version of Swift supported for development by this version of Xcode.
Providing feedback and reporting bugs
How To Install Xcode On Catalina
Your feedback goes a long way toward making Xcode even better. With Feedback Assistant, you can report issues or request enhancements to APIs and tools. Provide detailed information about issues, including your system and developer tool versions, and any relevant crash logs or console messages. To ask questions and find answers from Apple engineers and other developers, visit the Apple Developer Forums.
Invalid private key and certificate pairing
If you receive an error message saying, 'Xcode could not find a valid private-key/certificate pair for this profile in your keychain,” the Keychain Access application on your Mac is missing either the public or private key for the certificate you’re using to sign your app.
This often happens when you're trying to sign and build your app from a different Mac than the one you originally used to request your code signing certificate. It can also happen if your certificate has expired or has been revoked. Ensure that your app’s provisioning profile contains a valid code signing certificate, and that the Keychain Access application on your Mac contains that certificate, the private key originally used to generate that certificate, and the WWDR Intermediate Certificate.
Xcode Version For Catalina
For instructions on how to resolve this and other code signing errors, review the Code Signing Support page.
Apple security updates
How To Update Xcode Catalina
For information on the security content of Xcode updates, visit the Apple security updates page.