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
• 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