How can I run Xcode 12.5.1 on Monterey?

Question

I am facing a problem running older versions of Xcode on new Monterey OS.

Answer 1

The solution is very simple. If you have the older version downloaded in your Applications folder for example, lets say 12.5.1 version, you just need to:

• Open Terminal
• Open Applications folder in Finder
• Drag the Xcode app into Terminal so it gets its path
• Then add this next to it: /Contents/MacOS/Xcode, so the full command will be something like /Applications/Xcode-12.5.1.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode
• Press enter to run the command

Now you should be able to run it. You will note that when you open this version of Xcode, the Terminal will open too, but don't close Terminal because it will close the Xcode too.

Here you can find older Xcode versions.

Answer 2

Change build version to build version of Xcode 13.1 (19466), run Xcode and restore build version to original value (18212). First run of Xcode takes some time

# Change build version to Xcode 13.1
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c 'Set :CFBundleVersion 19466' /Applications/Xcode_12.5.1.app/Contents/Info.plist

# Open Xcode (system will check build version and cache it)
open /Applications/Xcode_12.5.1.app/

# Revert Xcode's build version
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c 'Set :CFBundleVersion 18212' /Applications/Xcode_12.5.1.app/Contents/Info.plist

Answer 3

This is how you get your xcode's current build version.

/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print CFBundleVersion" /Applications/Xcode_12.4.app/Contents/Info.plist

Answer 4

If you are looking for a solution without using terminal every time, here it is:

1. Follow https://stackoverflow.com/a/69995053/14199447

2. Create a bash file with this content

   #!/bin/bash
   
   /Applications/Xcode-12.5.1.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode
   

3. Open terminal, run chmod 700 YourBashFile.sh

4. Change the default opening app of YourBashFile to terminal.

5. Follow step 1 and 2 of this https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/407885 to create an executable application which you can put on your Dock. After this you should be able to use the new app like any other app.