What Xcode Version Is Required for macOS 13?

Developing applications on macOS 13 (Ventura) requires using Xcode 14 or select versions of Xcode 15. This guide details the exact version requirements for running Xcode on macOS 13, targeting the macOS 13 SDK, and meeting current App Store submission standards.

Minimum and Maximum Xcode Versions for macOS 13

• Minimum Version: Xcode 14.0 is the minimum version supported on macOS 13 Ventura. Earlier versions, such as Xcode 13, are officially incompatible with macOS 13 and will not launch without unsupported workarounds.
• Maximum Version: Xcode 15.2 is the highest version of Xcode that can run on macOS 13. It requires macOS 13.5 or later. Starting with Xcode 15.3, Apple requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.

Version Compatibility Breakdown

• Xcode 14.0 – 14.2: Requires macOS 12.5 or later, fully compatible with macOS 13.
• Xcode 14.3 – 14.3.1: Requires macOS 13.0 or later.
• Xcode 15.0 – 15.2: Requires macOS 13.5 or later.
• Xcode 15.3+: Incompatible with macOS 13 (requires macOS 14.0 or later).

Developing for the macOS 13 SDK

To build applications specifically targeting the macOS 13 SDK and its platform-specific APIs, you must use at least Xcode 14.0, which bundled the first release of the macOS 13 SDK.

App Store Submission Considerations

If you are developing software for distribution on the App Store, Apple enforces minimum Xcode versions for submissions:

• Apple requires applications submitted to the App Store to be built with SDKs included in Xcode 15 or later.
• Because Xcode 15.0 through Xcode 15.2 run on macOS 13.5+, you can still build and submit compliant apps on macOS 13 using those versions.
• Once Apple mandates SDKs bundled exclusively in Xcode 15.3 or Xcode 16, upgrading your operating system to macOS 14 (Sonoma) or macOS 15 (Sequoia) will become necessary.