Mac users with macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina, and new operating systems in place can now install Command Line Tools from the Xcode IDE without needing to install the entire Xcode package, or opening an Apple developers account.
Did you know: Using Xcode app leaves behind a lot of junk files a.k.a. 'development junk.' These files are usually hidden from view but you can delete them with a Mac maintenance app CleanMyMac X.
In this article, we cover how you can install this optional and highly useful Command Line Tools package.
X code 11. Credit: developerinsider
Step Two – Install XCode on Windows. Once the macOS Catalina is installed, open it up and switch it on from VMware or VirtualBox. Next, open the App Store and search for XCode. XCode on App Store. On the results, click the XCode then click Get on this window. It will ask for your Apple ID, sign in and it will start. Xcode 11.4 Release Notes; Xcode 11.4 includes SDKs for iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, and macOS Catalina 10.15.4. The Xcode 11.4 release supports on-device debugging for iOS 8 and later, tvOS 9 and later, and watchOS 2 and later. Xcode 11.4 requires a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.2 or later.
What is the Xcode Command Line Tools package?
For Mac power users — we wouldn't recommend downloading this unless you are comfortable with Terminal — the Xcode Command Line Tools package gives you a complete Unix toolkit accessible through Terminal. No developer account needed and you don't need to download the entire — and quite large Xcode package of executables.
Within the Xcode Command Line toolkit, Mac users gain access to numerous useful tools, utilities, and compilers, including make, GCC, clang, perl, svn, git, size, strip, strings, libtool, cpp, and many others. All of these commands are a default part of Linux systems and programs.
We recommend following these steps for those with the following operating systems running on a Mac: macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.14 Mojave, and macOS 10.15 Catalia onward. It isn't always possible to download these Xcode Command Line Tools, following these steps, on Mac’s running older operating systems. Other ways to install command tools and gcc (without needing Xcode) is available through the Apple Developer website.
Here is how you install Xcode Command Line Tools.
How to install Xcode Command Line Tools?
- Go to Terminal in /Applications/Utilities/.
- Input the following command string in Terminal:
xcode-select —install - In the same way when you are downloading new software and apps, a popup update window will appear asking you: “The xcode-select command requires the command line developer tools. Would you like to install the tools now?”
- Select confirm by clicking Install.
- Wait for the Xcode Command Line Tools package to install. It is around 130 MB and usually installs fairly quickly; although it depends on your connection.
- Once everything is installed, the installer goes away and you should be able to any of the new commands that you’ve now got access to. Enjoy using your new Unix command line tools!
Alternative way to install command line tools
If the Terminal combination didn't work, open the Finder > Go to Folder...menu.
Paste in the following path:/System/Library/CoreServices
In that location, find the app called Install Command Line Developer Tools.app — it will have a blue globe icon.
Click this app and then try the Terminal method explained above.
With this new download, you should have access to 61 Unix command line tools. For example, one of the advantages of having these tools is you can install new apps and software directly from the source code instead of needing to go through the package manager and usual download route.
To access or view everything you've now got, go to the following directory:
/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/
Please note, this is the root /Library of your macOS/OS X, not the ~/Library directory.
All of these tools can also be found in: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/
These tools like small executable apps (which they are):
What happens if I encounter problems downloading these?
If you get an error message that says “Can’t install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server”, it means you've already got the Xcode package on your Mac. Mac OS X 10.9 onward, Xcode was already installed, which is why you aren't able to download these tools. However, what you can do is uninstall the entire Xcode app if you'd prefer to only access these tools and not a whole load of software that isn’t going to be of much use.
Watch out for Xcode junk
The Xcode junk is one of those types of clutter that is keeps accumulating in remote places on your Mac. It could take up a few gigs of your space. The only app that seems to address this problem is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. It’s loved by many Mac developers because it collects those specific types of development junk, like Xcode or outdated libraries.
Once you launch the app, click on System Junk > Scan. Then, click “Review Details”
CleanMyMac X is a powerful Mac performance improvement app. It makes your Mac as good as new. Let it scan your system and clear out any unwanted Xcode, development and system junk that is taking up too much space and cluttering up your Mac. In a few clicks, your Mac could be running smoother, quicker and more efficiently.
Download Xcode for macOS 10.15.4 or later and enjoy it on your Mac. Xcode includes everything developers need to create great applications for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. Xcode provides developers a unified workflow for user interface design, coding, testing, and debugging. Xcode for Mac, free and safe download. Xcode latest version: Apple’s developer tool for apps. Xcode is a free integrated development environment (IDE). Technically, Xcode can’t be installed on Windows PC because there are compatibility issues, but there are ways to emulate Xcode on Windows 10 via Virtual machine. So, in this article, we have decided to share the best method to download & install Xcode on Windows 10, 8, and 7 operating systems.
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 all 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
If you’re an Apple Developer Program member, Xcode provides an integrated workflow to prepare and submit apps to App Store. You should use the latest version of Xcode available on the Mac App Store to submit your apps, or when available, the latest GM seed release from the Downloads page.
Do not 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 | OS | Simulator | Swift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcode 12.5 beta | macOS Big Sur 11 (Apple silicon Mac) | iOS 14.5 macOS 11.3 tvOS 14.5 watchOS 7.4 DriverKit 20.4 | x86_64 armv7 armv7s arm64 arm64e | iOS 9-14.5 iPadOS 13-14.5 macOS 10.9-11.3 tvOS 9-14.5 watchOS 2-7.4 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
Architecture: The architectures supported for development by this version of Xcode.
Can't Download Xcode On Mac
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.
I Can't Download Xcode On Mac
Providing feedback and reporting bugs
Your feedback goes a long way towards making Xcode even better. With Feedback Assistant, you can report issues or request enhancements to APIs and tools. Include detailed information about issues, including the system and developer tools version information, and any relevant crash logs or console messages. To ask questions and find answers by Apple engineers and other developers, visit the Apple Developer Forums.
Invalid private key and certificate pairing
If you received an error message saying, 'Xcode could not find a valid private-key/certificate pair for this profile in your keychain.' This error message indicates that the Keychain Access application on your Mac is missing either the public or private key for the certificate you are using to sign your app.
How To Update Xcode Catalina
This often happens when you are 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.
For instructions on how to resolve this and other code signing errors, review the Code Signing Support page.
Apple security updates
For information on the security content of Xcode updates, visit the Apple security updates page.