Xcode is coding software or to precisely say is an app development software for Apple devices created by Apple Inc. The devices like iPhone, iPad & MacOS can use the software or applications developed using the Xcode. The Xcode IDE (Integrated Development Environment) can easily analyze the project made by the user and even identify the mistakes or issues that can arise because of an incorrect logic or syntax. But still, you can’t use the application because you do not have a system having MacOS and you want to download Xcode for Windows now.
- Download Xcode 12 For Mac
- Xcode Download Free
- How To Code In Xcode
- Xcode 12 Download Mac
- Download Xcode Mac
So, today in this article I will help you install Xcode in Windows PC if available and if not available then will let you know what are the best alternatives instead of Xcode.
If you download it from the Mac App Store, then updating Xcode becomes really easy since you can just download and install the update through the store. Download the latest version of Xcode from the Mac App Store.
- It consists of a registered developer which can download as the last preview of the releases. Xcode has been able to include a command-line tool that has the ability to enable the development of the UNIX, with the help of the terminal app which is in the Mac OS. They are also able to download and install without having the main IDE.
- 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.
Contents
- 2 How to Install and Run Xcode on Windows?
- 3 Windows Alternatives for Xcode
Is Xcode available for Windows?
Since it is developed by Apple, meaning that it is not officially available for Windows platform to develop applications and users can use it for Mac OS only. But, though there are some ways using which we can use Xcode in Windows.
Below, in the next point, I will discuss a few methods using which you can install the Xcode for Windows OS. Just follow the steps that I provide and you can install Xcode easily and start developing applications for various Apple devices.
How to Install and Run Xcode on Windows?
Apple has not launched any software or application using which one can use Xcode on Windows and create applications for iPhone, iPad or MacOS. Meaning you would need MacOS to run the Xcode software and create your own apps. So, you should install MacOS in your system first and then you can install Xcode for your Windows.
1. Virtual Box.
A Virtual Box is a software developed that allows users to use multiple operating systems in one single operating system of a PC. You can use any operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac, whichever you want to use and the best part of using this app is you don’t need to remove your old operating system.
- You can download the Virtual Box software from here.
- Install the software and run it.
- Open the OS that you want to open using the Add button in Virtual Box. But you need to download the Virtual Box image file of that O.S. in your system beforehand.
- After the O.S. is added you can use the Xcode software to create the apps of Apple devices howsoever you wish.
Apart from Virtual Box, there is another similar software for using multiple operating systems i.e. VMWare Player. If you have already installed VMWare then you can use it for the installing Xcode for Windows.
2. VMWare Player
VMware player is also the same as Virtual Box and can be used to install any operating systems on a single PC and run multiple OS at the same time. The steps for the installing VMware would be the same as those of Virtual Box but for your reference, I will guide you using these simple steps:
- Download the VMware using the link.
- Install & run the software now.
- You must have download OS image file (MacOS image file for VMware) already in your PC.
- Add the OS using the add button and after installation is done, you can start using it.
You can now create applications for various Apple devices like iPhone, iPad or Mac or if you are a beginner then you can start learning & creating applications slowly.
3. Boot Windows to Mac OS
In this method, you can download and create a bootable drive(like pen drive) to install the MacOS on your Windows PC. You can use the devices as an external bootable drive to use it for MacOS(but it should have a large space of more than 16GB) or you can boot it into your device keeping or removing your Windows OS during the process and install MacOS.
The whole process can be followed using this link.
After the MacOS is installed using any of the above mentioned 3 methods, you can now download and install Xcode software to your MacOS.
The link to download Xcode for Windows is here.
Using these methods you can download Xcode for Windows 32 bit or 64 bit and use it for developing the apps. But an important note – Apple has not legalized the use of MacOS in Windows by anyway yet and using the Xcode in Windows is illegal.
Windows Alternatives for Xcode
Now since we know that Xcode is not officially available for Windows and so, we can use some alternatives instead of Xcode to develop applications for Apple devices.
1. These applications/platforms might help
- React Native – Uses JavaScript to build native mobile apps for Android & iOS.
- Xamarin – It uses C# language to build mobile apps that you can deploy natively to Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems.
- Appcelerator – It can also be used to build native mobile apps using JavaScript.
- PhoneGap – It builds a hybrid cross-platform mobile app using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages.
- Flutter – Flutter is a mobile application development framework created by Google to develop applications for Android and iOS.
These are the best alternatives available in the market which can develop apps for both Apple & Android and some can develop for Windows too. But using them to develop applications for Apple devices won’t be of worth because as a result, you will be needing the Xcode software to check the application & also you would need an Apple developer I’d to add the application to the Apple Store.
2. Other Alternatives
- Rent the MacOS over a cloud – The cheapest way to use MacOS for those who can’t afford to buy the MacOS system then you can use MacOS by renting it through the cloud. You can just google rent MacOS using cloud and there will be a bunch of results helping you out. Review the site properly before renting the MacOS and then only pay. Using this method, you can use MacOS and complete your needs for a short term period.
- Buy a Mac – The best option and the last option left is to buy a system from Apple and use it for developing applications for Apple devices. The easiest and legal way for those who can afford the system.
Also Read: Best Android Emulators for Win 10
Conclusion
The Xcode isn’t available for Windows since Apple hasn’t launched anything on this topic yet. Also, if you really need to install MacOS and use Xcode for Windows then the alternatives are there for your help. For more help, we are there for you and you can comment below and let us know if in case you have any doubts or queries. Also, you can comment below if you find any new method or alternative that can help people use Xcode on Windows OS.
Related Posts:
Question or issue on macOS:
XCode 8.2.1 on 10.12.2 Code Signing and Upload is consuming all available CPU resources, making the Mac unusable during this code signing and upload. The code signing step of the 'Upload to App Store' process can take up to 30 minutes at the moment. During this time, XCode is drawing all available CPU resources to perform the task.
I seem to have gotten stuck in MacOS / Xcode purgatory.
I’m on OS Sierra/10.12.6.
- E macOS Sierra (version 10.12) is the thirteenth major release of macOS (previously Mac OS X from 2001 to 2012 and OS X from 2012 to 2016), Apple Inc. 's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh. It was the first version of the operating system issued under the June 2016 rebranding as macOS.
- To develop Flutter apps for iOS, you need a Mac with Xcode installed. Install the latest stable version of Xcode (using web download or the Mac App Store). Configure the Xcode command-line tools to use the newly-installed version of Xcode by running the following from the command line.
When I try to update, I get a warning, that there’s an issue with upgrading vs DisplayLink and so it cannot be done.
That directly conflicts with Xcode which (as of now, on App Store) only works on 10.13.2 or later.
I cannot find a place to download an earlier version of Xcode.
I cannot upgrade to High Sierra.
How can I get this happening?
How to solve this problem?
Solution no. 1:
You can get it here at this URL: https://developer.apple.com/download/more/ to download a version of Xcode you want. Specifically, get 9.2. This is the recent version that works with mac OS Sierra.
Download Xcode 12 For Mac
Edit: Xcode 9.2.1 is no longer an available version. 9.2 works.
Solution no. 2:
Xcode Download Free
Xcode 9.2 works well for Mac OS Sierra (10.12.6). I installed it today (3rd Feb 2020).
Solution no. 3:
For OS Sierra/10.12.6 you need Xcode-8.3 from below link
The Xcode-9* versions are not compatible.
Solution no. 4:
Xcode 9.2 is working fine on High Sierra. I have downloaded and installed it today.
Hope this helps!
Xcode IDE contain Command-Line utilities. But separate Command-Line installer cause errors for use by Homebrew, Python, and other development tools
- What Has Been Installed?
- Xcode Version
- Xcode IDE install from Terminal
- B) Initial IDE install using web App Store
This tutorial describes the installation and usage of Apple’s Xcode set of utilities for macOS developers.
Xcode is Apple’s free app for developing custom programs for all Apple devices (macOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch). Increasingly, Machine Learning developers are using the Swift language.
Since the Apple Store only handles individual .app files, other mechanisms are needed to install additional programs needed as a pre-requisite by Homebrew, Python, and other development programs.
BTW Xcode only works on macOS. There is no Windows PC version.
About Xcode
PROTIP: Skip Apple’s websites and App. Click here for install instructions (below).
Otherwise, read on for a run-around.
Use an internet browser to view Apple’s Xcode marketing page at:
Xcode “includes everything you need to create amazing apps for all Apple platforms. Now Xcode and Instruments look great in the new Dark Mode on macOS Mojave. The source code editor lets you transform or refactor code more easily, see source control changes alongside the related line, and quickly get details on upstream code differences. You can build your own instrument with custom visualization and data analysis. Swift compiles software more quickly, helps you deliver faster apps, and generates even smaller binaries. Test suites complete many times faster, working with a team is simpler and more secure, and much more.”.
BTW the “Apple platforms” include MacOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.
Xcode does not come with macOS because of its large size and because many users of macOS don’t need it to do software development.
Developers who use another IDE (such as Visual Studio, Eclipse, etc.) would only need to install Xcode’s command line utilities for the GCC compiler Python needs to build code.
PROTIP: Newer versions of Xcode installer also installs a Git client.
Overlapping installers
Imagine a Venn diagram of overlapping circles:
The Xcode IDE, which can be installed on a Terminal command line interface (CLI) or
downloaded as a package from the App Store.
Either way, Xcode contains:
- Command Line Utilities which can be installed separately on a Terminal command line session.
PROTIP: Xcode IDE cannot be installed if Command Utilities has already been installed.
However, you can switch:
So choose which one you want installed.
What Has Been Installed?
In a Terminal window, find out what has been installed:
That’s the same command as:
If the Xcode-select command is not found, choose to eitherinstall Command Line Tools or install the full Xcode IDE.
You have Command Line Tools installed and not the full Xcode if you see the path where CommandLineTools are installed:
If all you need is Command Line Tools, you’re good to go.
Alternately, if the full Xcode was installed, you would instead see:
Get a list of its folders if Xcode IDE was installed:
The response would be:
Delete first
PROTIP: If you want the full Xcode IDE when you have the Command Line Tools installed, first uninstall Command Line Tools, then install the full Xcode IDE.
More version information
Xcode Version
From within a Terminal, type:
If Command Line Tools was installed, you would see:
If Xcode is installed, you would get a version code that should match up with the Build Number on the Apple web page:
For a more precise version number and other info (macOS Mavericks version and up): Promodel software gratis.
A sample response, at time of writing:
The previous command was constructed based on a search of tools package names:
The response:
Get the version of GCC installed:
If Xcode was installed, you would see (at time of writing):
Previously, it was instead:
If Command Line Utilities is installed, you would see (at time of writing):
Identify the path where the make utility Java uses:
a. If Xcode is installed, the response is:
b. If Command Line Utilities is installed, the response is:
c. If no Xcode is installed:
Swift version
Get the version of the Swift program used to develop iOS mobile apps:
Sample response at time of this writing:
If jamf installed Xcode, you’ll also see:
The above appears regardless of whether Command Line Utilities or Xcode is installed.
From here, uninstall and install Command Line Tools or install the full Xcode IDE.
UnInstall Command Line Tools
PROTIP: This is also how you upgrade Command Line Tools.
Go to the parent folder where Command Line Tools is installed:
Get a list of its folders:
If Command Line Tools were installed, the response would be :
Remove all files in that folder, which requires a password for elevated permissions to get all the files:
The response is a lot of files removed (to the Trash).
Now you can choose to eitherinstall Command Line Tools or install the full Xcode IDE.
Install Command Line Utilities only
See https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/technotes/tn2339/_index.html and http://osxdaily.com/2014/02/12/install-command-line-tools-mac-os-x
To install the whole Xcode IDE:
You should see this pop up:
Manually click “Install”, “Agree”, then “Install” to the “Updates Available” pop-up.
NOTE: The xGB download takes 13 minutes on a 10mbps line.
When you see “The software was installed.”, click “Done” to dismiss the pop-up.
Xcode IDE install from Terminal
Make sure you have at least 13GB free on your hard-drive before attempting installation.
- Click the Apple icon to select “About this Mac”.
- Click “Storage” tab.
In an internet browser, get to the “Mac App Store Preview” for Xcode at
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/Xcode/id497799835?mt=12Click View in Mac App Store, then “Open App Store.app” in the pop-up.
Provide your Apple ID and password. Get one if you don’t already have one.
PROTIP: DO NOT install a beta version of Xcode.
The blue “OPEN” icon appears at the upper-right when the app is installed.But don’t click it because we are done.
In Finder, look for Xcode.app in the /Applications folder.
Alternately, on the Touchpad pinch 4 fingers together to click the App Store. Type enough of “Xcode” to filter out others.
To view the version, cursor to the top of the screen and click the program name next to the Apple icon to select “About Xcode”:
A) Initial install from Terminal CLI
Open a Terminal.app console window at any directory to install -all the latest Xcode from Apple:
The response on Catalina version of macOS:
Click the Apple icon at the upper-right corner and select “Shut Down…”.
After starting again
Set Apple’s licensing agreement bit:
Manually agree to the terms.
Get the version number of the new version.
B) Initial IDE install using web App Store
In an internet browser, https://developer.apple.com/download
Sign in to Apple Developer with your email address then click the arrow icon. Enter your password, then click the arrow icon.
Below is the “Software Update” approach:
You’ll need to establish an Apple ID if you haven’t already.
Click the cloud icon Download and provide your Apple ID.
Go through Apple’s location verification if prompted.
Confirm your account.
Click “Allow” to the pop-up “Do you want to download?”.
Xcode size
CAUTION: Make sure that your machine has enough free space available.
These are massive files that may take a while to download if you don’t have a fast internet connection.
NOTE: Each version of Xcode is related to a specific version of the Apple OS Mac operating system.
File Date Download Unpacked Xcode_12.1 2020-10-01 10.5 GB 11.5 GB Xcode_11.5 2020-06-01 7.5 GB ? GB Xcode_10.2.1 2019-04-17 ? GB 6.1 GB Xcode_9.0 2017-09-19 . ? GB ? GB Xcode_8.2.1 8C1002 2016-12-19 ? GB ? GB Xcode_8_beta_2.xip 2016-07-05 5.9 GB 12.32 GB Xcode_7.31 2016-05-03 3.8 GB ? Xcode_4.1 2014- 2.9 GB ? Xcode_3.2.4 2014- 2.? GB ? Switch to Finder Downloads folder to watch progress on the file name ending with “Download”. The one with a clock icon which signifies downloading.
Return to the versions instructions above to view the updated version.
Delete the installer after you’re done, to reclaim disk space.
How To Code In Xcode
Xcode IDE Upgrade
Over time, Apple updates Xcode and its command line utilities.
Click the Apple icon, then click System Preferences. Here is an example notification:
- Search for “Software Updates” or click the icon.
- Click “Update Now” if that appears. (but first do a backup.)
- Click “Agree” to the EULA.
- When done, view the version numbers installed.
Xcode FileMerge tool
Xcode graphically compares files and directories.
Open Xcode. This takes a few seconds.
Right-click on Xcode icon. Select “Open Developer Tool”. Select “FileMerge”.
Specify one file to compare.
Specify the other file to compare.
Click “Compare”.
More on OSX
This is one of a series on Mac OSX: