Installing Xcode 4.3

Xcode 4.3 was released today via the Mac App Store. The biggest change is that it is now installed as a normal app, versus an installer. This is so that it can be updated via the MAS like any other app. The important fact to note is that 4.3 is installed in your /Applications folder, no longer the /Developer folder. This leaves Xcode 4.2 and all its associated cruft behind. Your dock icon will still point to version 4.2. You’ll probably want to uninstall it when you upgrade to 4.3.

Uninstalling Xcode 4.2

Update: This section is not necessary. Skip to the next section!

I did not uninstall 4.2 before installing 4.3. When I realized 4.2 was still around, I used the uninstall script to remove it with no ill affects to 4.3. It looks like Xcode 4.3 is very well self-contained.

To uninstall, Xcode 4.2 make sure you’ve quit Xcode. Open the Terminal app and issue the following command:

sudo /Developer/Library/uninstall-devtools –mode=all

Give it your password and let it run. It tells you to reboot if you’re installing older tools, but I did not do this. Everything seems to work just fine. You may have to clean up by removing the worldly remains of the /Developer folder yourself.

Replace the 4.2 dock shortcut with 4.3 and launch.

First Launch

You’ll be asked to agree to the EULA, then to install additional components. You’ll also be asked if you want to uninstall old Xcode tools (including version 4.2 – so the way I upgraded/uninstalled in the section above this one was the long way around). Once that’s done, click Start Using Xcode. Most everything looks exactly the same.

What About The Other Tools?

This leaves a glaring question: how do you access Instruments, Icon Composer, etc.? Well it’s a bit awkward, they’re accessible via the Xcode application menu. Choose Xcode > Open Developer Tool from the main menu for a list of tools to open. Here’s a tip to make this easier.