Setting up Xcode
Xcode is the only tool you need to start building iOS apps. It's free, made by Apple, and includes everything: the editor, a simulated iPhone, the debugger, and the path to the App Store. Let's get it installed and verified.
Before you start: requirements
Xcode runs only on a Mac. There's no official version for Windows or Linux. As of 2026, the current release is Xcode 26 (latest point release 26.5, May 2026). Here's what you need:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Computer | Any Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) or a recent Intel Mac |
| macOS version | macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later (newer Xcode point releases may require macOS Tahoe 26) |
| Free disk space | ~40 GB recommended (Xcode + simulators grow over time) |
| Apple ID | A free Apple ID (the same one you use for the App Store) |
Check your macOS version first. Click the Apple menu → About This Mac. If your macOS is older than Sequoia 15.6, update it via System Settings → General → Software Update before installing Xcode.
Where to download Xcode
There are two official ways to get it. The Mac App Store is the easiest.
Download from the Mac App Store Apple Developer — Xcode page
For specific or older versions (and beta releases), use the developer downloads page — sign in with a free Apple ID:
All Xcode versions (developer.apple.com)
Only download from Apple. Never install Xcode from a third-party site or torrent — tampered copies have been used to inject malware into apps. The two links above (apps.apple.com and developer.apple.com) are the only sources you should trust.
Install it step by step
-
Open the Mac App Store
Click the blue App Store icon in your Dock, or open it from Spotlight (press
⌘ + Spaceand type "App Store"). -
Search for Xcode and get it
Type Xcode in the search box, then click Get followed by Install. Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted.
-
Wait for the download
Xcode is large (several gigabytes), so this can take a while depending on your internet speed. You can keep using your Mac while it downloads.
-
Launch Xcode
Once installed, open Xcode from Launchpad or Spotlight. The very first launch takes a few extra minutes as it finishes setting up.
-
Accept the license & install components
Xcode will ask you to agree to its license and may install additional required components. Enter your Mac password when prompted and let it finish.
The Xcode welcome screen
When Xcode finishes launching, you'll see the Welcome window with three options:
- Create New Project — start a brand-new app (we'll use this next lesson)
- Clone Git Repository — download an existing project from the internet
- Open Existing Project — reopen something you've already made
If you don't see this window, open it any time from the menu bar: Window → Welcome to Xcode.
Optional: install the Command Line Tools
Most beginners don't need this right away, but many developer tools (like Git and package managers) rely on Xcode's command line tools. You can install them from the Terminal app:
xcode-select --installRun this in Terminal; a dialog will pop up to confirm the install.
Verify your setup
To confirm everything is working, open Terminal and run:
xcodebuild -version
You should see something like Xcode 26.5 and a build number.
If you do, your machine is ready to build iOS apps. 🎉
Next up: with Xcode installed, let's create your very first app — the classic "Hello, World!" — and run it on a simulated iPhone.