Xcode 12 for Catalina: Everything You Need to Know Before You Download
How to Download Xcode 12 for Catalina
If you are a developer who wants to create apps for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS, you need Xcode, the integrated development environment (IDE) from Apple. Xcode provides you with all the tools you need to design, code, test, debug, and submit your apps to the App Store.
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In this article, we will show you how to download Xcode 12, the latest version of Xcode, for macOS Catalina, the latest version of macOS. We will also explain what are the features and benefits of Xcode 12, what are the compatibility and requirements for using it, and how to use it to build iOS apps.
What is Xcode 12 and why do you need it?
Xcode 12 is the latest version of Xcode that was released in September 2020. It includes SDKs for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS Catalina 10.15.6, tvOS 14, watchOS 7, and DriverKit 20.4. It also supports on-device debugging for iOS 9 and later, tvOS 9 and later, and watchOS 2 and later. Xcode 12 requires an Intel-based Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
Xcode 12 features and benefits
Xcode 12 has many new features and improvements that make it easier and faster to create apps for Apple platforms. Some of the main features are:
A new tab model that allows you to rearrange the document tabs and configure how content is shown within each tab.
A new code completion UI that is more focused, accurate, and up to 15 times faster than before.
A new library content provider protocol that lets you show your views and modifiers in Xcode's library.
A new SwiftUI preview that supports widgets, App Clips, and content in Swift packages.
A new document organizer that helps you manage your projects, playgrounds, Swift packages, and cloud documents.
A new multiplatform app template that lets you create a single app that runs on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
A new store kit testing framework that lets you test your in-app purchases without using real money or servers.
A new widget testing framework that lets you test your widgets on different devices and orientations.
A new Apple silicon support that lets you build macOS Universal apps that run on both Intel-based Macs and Macs with Apple silicon.
Xcode 12 compatibility and requirements
Before you download Xcode 12, you need to make sure that your Mac is compatible with it. According to Apple's support page, these are the Mac models that can run macOS Catalina:
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MacBookMacBook AirMacBook ProMac miniiMaciMac ProMac Pro
Early 2015 or newerMid 2012 or newerMid 2012 or newerLate 2012 or newerLate 2012 or newerAll modelsLate 2013 or newer
If your Mac is compatible, you also need to make sure that you have enough storage space to download and install Xcode 12. According to Apple's developer website, Xcode 12 requires at least 36.5 GB of available disk space, and an additional 4 GB of disk space for the iOS SDK and device support files.
How to download Xcode 12 from the Mac App Store
The easiest way to download Xcode 12 is from the Mac App Store. You can find it by searching for "Xcode" in the search bar, or by clicking on this link. The download size is about 11.5 GB, so it may take some time depending on your internet speed.
Steps to download and install Xcode 12
Follow these steps to download and install Xcode 12 from the Mac App Store:
Open the Mac App Store and search for "Xcode" or click on this link.
Click on the "Get" button and then on the "Install" button to start the download.
Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
Wait for the download to finish. You can check the progress in the "Purchases" tab of the Mac App Store.
Once the download is complete, you will see a notification that says "Xcode was installed on your Mac".
Open the "Launchpad" app and click on the "Xcode" icon to launch it.
Agree to the license agreement and wait for Xcode to install additional components if needed.
You are now ready to use Xcode 12.
How to update Xcode 12
To keep your Xcode up to date, you can check for updates in the Mac App Store. You can also enable automatic updates in the "App Store" preferences of your Mac. To do that, follow these steps:
Open the "System Preferences" app and click on the "App Store" icon.
Check the box next to "Automatically check for updates".
Check the box next to "Download newly available updates in the background".
Check the box next to "Install app updates".
You can also check the box next to "Install macOS updates" if you want to update your macOS as well.
Close the "System Preferences" app.
Now, whenever there is a new update for Xcode or macOS, it will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can also manually check for updates in the Mac App Store by clicking on the "Updates" tab.
How to download Xcode 12 from the Apple Developer website
If you prefer, you can also download Xcode 12 from the Apple Developer website. This option may be useful if you want to download a specific version of Xcode, or if you have trouble downloading it from the Mac App Store. However, this option requires you to have an Apple ID with a free or paid developer account.
Steps to sign in with your Apple ID and download Xcode 12
Follow these steps to sign in with your Apple ID and download Xcode 12 from the Apple Developer website:
Open your web browser and go to this link.
Click on the "Download" button next to Xcode 12.
Sign in with your Apple ID and password. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free by clicking on the "Create yours now" link.
If you don't have a developer account, you can enroll for free by clicking on the "Join Apple Developer Program" link. You will need to provide some personal information and agree to the terms and conditions.
If you have a paid developer account, you may need to enter your verification code or answer your security questions.
Once you are signed in, click on the "Download" button again next to Xcode 12.
Select a location where you want to save the XIP file. The file size is about 11.5 GB, so make sure you have enough disk space.
Wait for the download to finish. You can check the progress in your web browser or in your downloads folder.
How to extract and launch Xcode 12
Follow these steps to extract and launch Xcode 12 from the XIP file:
Locate the XIP file that you downloaded from the Apple Developer website. It should be in your downloads folder or in the location that you selected.
Double-click on the XIP file to extract it. You may need to enter your administrator password to allow the extraction.
Wait for the extraction to finish. It may take several minutes depending on your Mac's performance.
Once the extraction is complete, you will see a new folder nam