Xcode

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Xcode

Basic Information
Release Year	2003
Product Type	IDEs, Software
In Production	Yes
Official Website	https://developer.apple.com/xcode/

Xcode is an IDE provided by Apple, primarily for creating iOS and MacOS apps. In order to run apps on real devices, Xcode is required for signing iOS/macOS apps.

Consumer impact summary

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

• User Freedom
• User Privacy
• Business Model
• Market Control

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Tracking

Xcode requires an Apple ID to install, and sends telemetry to Apple during every local build and every launch.

Incidents

Xcode drops support for older devices

Apple has discontinued support for up to date versions of Xcode iOS development on older MacBook devices, resulting in not being able to use a perfectly capable machine for iOS app development without having to go through countless loopholes. ^{[citation needed]}

• You cannot commit new updates without using a third-party medium. ^{[citation needed]}
• The warning and error compiler is out of date due to not being able to update to the latest version, which of course supports the latest iOS release, so you have to figure it out on your own like it’s the 80’s.^{[citation needed]}
• You must commit and release a new TestFlight build (through a loophole) to do any testing instead of being able to simulate on your Mac or even a connected device. ^{[citation needed]}
• This all really stems from the fact that the new Xcode updates require the new MacOS version which is also discontinued for older MacBooks. This means 8 year old device is basically just useless for such applications.^{[citation needed]}

Usage

Xcode is irreplaceable for signing iOS/macOS apps. A 2024 Stack Overflow developer survey found almost no developers want to start using Xcode.