Unable to update to Xcode 8

Question

I would like to update to Xcode 8, but when I start the App Store it just shows me an Open button, but my existing Version is 7.3.1

The requirements should be El Capitan 10.11.5 - I have 10.11.6 installed.

Why is there no Update button?

Answer 1

Check if you have multiple installations of Xcode on your system. The App Store often gets confused and loads one you're not considering, such as the version on your back up drive. It's possible it has updated a different installation than the one it launches as well.

Executing the following command in a terminal window should list all installations of Xcode the App Store may find.

mdfind "kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier == 'com.apple.dt.Xcode'"

When you have Xcode open (from hitting Open in the store), right click the Xcode icon on your dock, select Options, and Show in Finder. Does the installation it shows match up with the one you expected it to launch?

If you specifically open each Xcode installation the mdfind command found, are any of them Xcode 8?

You can control which installation of Xcode the App Store will update. Check each of the app folders, and look for a Contents/_MASReceipt folder. Ensure the installation you want to update has that (and a receipt file inside that), and delete the _MASReceipt folder for all of the other versions.

Now the App Store app should update the correct installation for you.

Answer 2

All I had to do was restart my mac. Then, went to the App Store and saw "Update" instead of "Open".