How to Fix Xcode-Select No Developer Tools Found
If you’re a Mac user who develops apps using Xcode, you may have encountered the error message “Xcode-select: no developer tools found.” This error typically occurs when Xcode can’t find the developer tools it needs to build and run your app.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can follow to fix this issue and get your app running again. Here’s what you need to do:
Quick Fix: Install Command Line Tools
Step 1: Open Terminal
Open a Terminal window on your Mac. You can do this by:
- Searching for “Terminal” in Spotlight (⌘ + Space)
- Going to Applications → Utilities → Terminal
Step 2: Install Developer Tools
In the Terminal window, run the following command:
xcode-select --install
This will open a dialog window that asks you if you want to install the developer tools. Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 3: Wait for Installation
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection and the speed of your Mac.
Step 4: Verify Installation
Once the installation is complete, verify that the tools are installed:
xcode-select -p
This should output something like:
/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
Now try running your app again. It should now be able to find the developer tools it needs and build and run without any errors.
Alternative Solution: Reinstall Xcode
If you continue to have issues, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Xcode. To do this, follow these steps:
Step 1: Uninstall Developer Tools
In the Terminal window, run the following command:
sudo /Developer/Library/uninstall-devtools --mode=all
This will uninstall all of the developer tools that are installed on your Mac.
Note: You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password.
Step 2: Download Xcode from App Store
After the uninstallation is complete:
- Go to the App Store on your Mac
- Search for “Xcode”
- Click the “Get” button to download and install the latest version
Step 3: Test Your Setup
Once the installation is complete, try running your app again. It should now be able to build and run without any errors.
Additional Troubleshooting
Check Current Xcode Path
To see which Xcode installation is being used:
xcode-select --print-path
Switch Xcode Versions
If you have multiple Xcode versions installed, you can switch between them:
sudo xcode-select --switch /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
Reset Xcode Settings
If Xcode is behaving unexpectedly, you can reset it:
sudo xcode-select --reset
Verify Command Line Tools
Check if command line tools are properly installed:
xcode-select --version
You should see output like:
xcode-select version 2395.
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue: “Unable to Download Application”
Solution: Check your internet connection and try again. If the problem persists, download Xcode directly from Apple’s Developer website.
Issue: Installation Fails
Solution: Make sure you have enough free disk space. Xcode requires approximately 40GB of free space.
Issue: “xcrun: error: active developer path does not exist”
Solution: Run the following commands:
# Remove old path
sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
# Reinstall command line tools
xcode-select --install
Summary
If you see the error “Xcode-select: no developer tools found,” you can fix it by running the xcode-select --install command and installing the developer tools. If this doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Xcode. By following these steps, you should be able to get your app running again and avoid any further issues with Xcode.
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