Setting up Xcode
Xcode is required to develop software for all of Apple’s devices. Once you learn how to use it with an iOS device, switching to visionOS, watchOS, or macOS will be a piece of cake.
You might run into people who use Visual Studio Code, Xamarin, or even an editor like Vim to do their iOS and Swift development. You can get pretty far with those tools since all of the code files in an app are text files. However, you still need Xcode to build code into an app and submit that app to the App Store. So, you might as well learn to work with Xcode from the start.
This section has step-by-step instructions for getting Xcode onto your computer. Don’t be alarmed if you get to the end and feel you didn’t quite memorize all the details. Installing Xcode is something that you’ll rarely do. Besides, Apple changes the workflow details regularly, so even a thorough guide like this will become outdated. That said, the main parts of the process should remain consistent.
Checking Your Computer
All examples in this module use Xcode 15.2 running on macOS Sonoma 14.3, which is current as of the time of this writing. Xcode 15.2 runs on macOS Ventura but not on Monterey and older. If you’re running an older version, you can follow along for most steps. All Macs these days have enough RAM for Xcode, though more is always better since Xcode will be able to do things faster.
You do need to make sure that you have enough hard drive space. The initial download from the App Store is 3.4GB, but that’s a little deceptive since you’ll then download helper tools and simulator libraries. As you build apps, Xcode will also create archives and other artifacts. So, as you work along as a developer, you’ll quickly find Xcode consuming 20 or 30GB on your hard drive.
Checking Your Access
On your local computer, you’ll need administrator privileges or someone with them to help you set up. You’ll also need an Apple ID. You don’t need to join Apple’s Developer Program to get started. Eventually, you’ll need to become a member if you want to publish apps to the App Store under your own name. If you’re working for a company that already publishes apps, you’ll use their membership when the time comes if you don’t want to get your own.
Once you’ve got all of that accounted for, it’s off to the App Store!
Mac App Store
Xcode is in the Mac App Store, like any other app you download. When you’re in the App Store, search for Xcode or go to the Develop section of the store.
The App Store usually shows Xcode right on the front page of the Develop section. If you don’t see it, click See All and look for it in the list.
Once you’ve found Xcode, click Get. The button will then turn into a green Install button. Click that one as well.
Though Xcode is free, you’ll probably still need your password to authorize the purchase. The account you use here is your Apple ID, the iCloud account that you use to log in to Apple services, not your account on your local computer.
The download will begin. Even on a fast connection, 3GB is a lot, so while you’re waiting, here are some other downloads you might find interesting.
Other Downloads
Go back to the main Developer page in the App Store. Don’t worry, the download will continue. Near Xcode is another app with a similar icon called Apple Developer. At some point, you should download it.
The Apple Developer app has all the video presentations from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, WWDC. These are videos of Apple engineers discussing the various SDKs used in most apps. The presentations are categorized, all with transcripts and some with example code. Also, the next time WWDC comes around, those videos will immediately get added to the Developer app. When you need to learn about one of Apple’s technologies, the Developer app is an excellent place to start.
Now, point your browser to Apple’s Design Resources page. This page contains template files and graphical libraries for the various pieces that comprise iOS. You can use them with your favorite graphics program to make production-ready prototypes and to brainstorm how different UI elements in your app might look. There are also some bezels, empty frames, so you can see how your ideas might look on an actual device.
Near the bottom of this page is the SF Symbols library app. iOS has thousands of symbols you can use in your apps. In your code, you’ll reference them by name.
The symbols library also contains all system symbols, like a gear for Settings or the little box with an arrow for sharing, so you don’t have to draw your own. Using SF Symbols for icons in your app helps your app look like it belongs on an iOS device.
If you don’t download the app today, consider downloading it at some point. It’s quite handy.
Installing Xcode
By now, the download should be done. In the App Store, the button next to Xcode will say Open.
Click Open to launch Xcode. Xcode is like any other app, so it appears in your Applications folder on your Mac and Launchpad. If you’ve closed the App Store, you can find it in one of those locations. Launch the app using your favorite method to complete the installation.
But first, of course, there’s a licensing agreement you need to accept.
Now, you may get another password window. For this one, enter the username and password of an administrator account on your local computer, not your Apple ID.
Fresh out of the box, Xcode only contains the SDK for macOS development. You’ll need to download any extra SDKs, like iOS, yourself. Tick the checkbox for iOS and click Download & Install. You’ll be able to use Xcode while the additional items download.
The last step before you get to Xcode is the What’s New screen. When you’re done reading it, click Continue.
Now that you’ve installed Xcode, you’ll see this screen the next time you open the app. You’ve done it. You’ve installed Xcode!
The demo in the next section will review downloading and installing Xcode and visiting the Developer website. If you got lost or stuck following the steps above, the video will help you get unstuck and running Xcode.