Xcode Tips: Run Xcode 15 on macOS Sequoia

Overview

If you updated to macOS Sequoia (15.xx) and discovered that your old Xcode is no longer functional, you’re not alone. Many developers face this compatibility issue. But don’t worry—this guide walks you through two simple ways to run Xcode 15 on macOS Sequoia.

The Challenge

When you try to open Xcode 15 on macOS Sequoia, you may encounter the error: “In order to use ‘Xcode-15.4.0’, you need to update to the latest version.”

Instead of simply double-clicking Xcode to launch it, you’ll need to use alternative methods to bypass this error. Here are two effective solutions to get Xcode 15 up and running.

Solution 1: Run Xcode Directly from Its Unix Executable

This is the slower method but works reliably. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Applications folder on your Mac.
2. Locate your Xcode 15.xx app (e.g., Xcode-15.4.0.app).
3. Right-click on the Xcode app and select Show Package Contents.
4. Navigate to the Contents folder, then to the MacOS folder.
5. Inside, you’ll see a single Unix executable file named Xcode.
6. Double-click the file to launch Xcode 15.

And voilà! Xcode 15 should now run on macOS Sequoia.

Solution 2: Launch Xcode from Terminal

This is the quicker method, especially if you frequently need to open Xcode 15. Simply paste the following command into your Terminal:

/Applications/Xcode-15.4.0.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode ; exit;

Make sure to replace Xcode-15.4.0 with the exact version of Xcode 15 installed on your system.

Tip: Create a Shell Alias

To save even more time, you can create a shell alias for this command:

1. Open your terminal configuration file (~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc).

2. Add the following line:

   alias xcode15="/Applications/Xcode-15.4.0.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode"
   

3. Save the file and reload your shell:

   source ~/.zshrc
   

Now you can simply type xcode15 in the terminal to launch Xcode.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the direct method of navigating to the Unix executable or the convenience of launching via the Terminal, these steps ensure that you can continue using Xcode 15 on macOS Sequoia without any interruptions. If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to reach out.