Running Xcode 14 on Sonoma

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Apple recently announced limitation for Appstore.
iOS Developers should upload apps built with Xcode 16 since April 2025.

So I upgraded my Macbook to Sonoma. However one of apps I am maintaining is based on Xcode 14.

I already achieved running Xcode 15.4 on Ventura in last article, but in this case Xcode version is less than MacOS.

Install Sonoma

I can’t see Sonoma in Software Update on my Macbook.

So I searched it on App Store

and downloaded.

It took about an hour.

Enabling Xcode 14.2

After upgrading, Xcode 14.2 was unavailable on my Macbook.

Generally we can run this only with Xcode terminal app in the package of Xcode Application. So I tried the same trick for Xcode 15.4 on Ventura

1. Move Xcode 14.2 to the external directory

I don’t know why, but this trick need to move to /Applications from another.

I dragged Xcode 14.2 to Applications, but this actions made only a link.

So I moved it with a command

mv /Applications/Xcode_14.2.app ~/Downloads/

2. Open Info.plist

In Package of Xcode Application.

Open Info.plist

3. Edit Bundle version

Change Bundle version value to 22256.

What is 22256? It is from Xcode 15.4

4. Move back Xcode to Applications

Move again Xcode to /Applications from ~/Downloads

Now I can run Xcode 14.2 even on Sonoma

I recommend you download and set accounts before upgrading MacOS.
In my case Xcode 14 was crashed when adding Developer Account.

Happy coding!

Summary

• Move Xcode_14.2 to External(ex. Downloads) from /Applications
• mv /Applications/Xcode_14.2 ~/Downloads
• Open ~/Downloads/Xcode_14.2/Contents/Info.plist
• Edit Bundle Version to 22256 (from Xcode 15.4)
• Move back Xcode_14.2 to /Applications