xcode iconApple today released Xcode 4.3 [Mac App Store], making a number of improvements to the software. Among the notable changes, Xcode is now offered directly as an app. It had previously been offered as an installer package, and the move simplifies the installation and update process.

What's New in Version 4.3

Xcode is now distributed as an application, rather than as an installer. This change enables Xcode to be updated directly from the Mac App Store.

- Includes SDKs for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and iOS 5
- New code signing workflow supports signing OS X apps with Developer ID
- Adds installation of command-line tools to the Downloads preference pane
- Open Developer Tool menu launches Instruments, File Merge, and other tools
- ARC migration tool converts both retain/release and garbage collected code
- Additional bug fixes and stability improvements

Xcode is a free download, but users must be registered members of Apple's iOS or Mac Developer Program in order to submit apps created with Xcode to the respective App Stores.

Top Rated Comments

183 months ago
Awesome, even the dev tools are being dumbed down.

How is it dumbed down? It's simply just better management. Should have been this way years ago IMO.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
183 months ago
XCode 4.4 will be the big jump from Clang 3.0 -> Clang 3.1 where C++11 is fully implemented and all the Macroscalar patented hints are implemented within libc++ [a drop in replacement to libstdc++ from GNU].

http://clang.llvm.org/cxx_status.html

Tons of info over at LLVM/Clang:

http://www.llvm.org/devmtg/2011-11/

Release notes for 3.1 are not any where close to current:

http://llvm.org/docs/ReleaseNotes.html

But it's safe to say XCode 4.4 will be a big hit for the Tools and maturity of LLVM/Clang.

Clang 3.1 also ends cuts off backward compatibility of bitcodes at 3.0 and forward.


LLVM 3.1 removes support for reading LLVM 2.9 bitcode files. Going forward, we aim for all future versions of LLVM to read bitcode files and .ll files produced by LLVM 3.0 and later.

Tons of work going on with Vectorization and gaining advanced vector instruct set full support for AMD and Intel, not to mention ARM.

The mailing archives for cfe-dev [clang] and llvm-dev are heavily traffic'd.

All important changes going to Xcode 4.3 are highlighted here:

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/WhatsNewXcode/Articles/xcode_4_3.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/1006-SW1


----------

Uh-oh ... now I have two XCodes - one (version 4.2.1) in the Developer folder and now the new one (version 4.3) in the Applications folder.

Plus I have a new "Install Xcode" app in the applications folder (version 4.2.1).

What do I do? And what about all the other stuff in the developer folder?

confused

Xcode 4.3 removes Xcode 4.2.x as /Developer no longer exists.

Xcode 4.3 is one unified Application with all the Tools launched within Xcode.

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/WhatsNewXcode/Articles/xcode_4_3.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/1006-SW1
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
balamw Avatar
183 months ago
If this change facilitates the delta updates instead of requiring a huge download for every minor update, I'm all for it.

B
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago
Does anyone who has downloaded this have tips on installing over the top of the previous release? Or tips on the best process to take to delete the previous release before downloading and running 4.3?

Or is it just as simple as dragging the previous Developer folder into the trash?

I left Xcode 4.2 where it was and installed 4.3 from the AppStore, once I launched the AppStore version I got this screen to help with the migration...

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago
Do you mean it does this when I launch the new version? Because the developer folder and the old version are still there at the moment

You really couldn't try launching it first before writing this post?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago
That is the problem. The other tools downloads (graphics, IO, audio, dashcode, auxiliary and accessibility) are just apps inside the DMG and I have no idea where one is supposed to place them.

They appear to be all self contained apps, so looks like you can put them anywhere.

But I agree, it is a bit odd for Apple to just give you a dmg with apps. They should at least give a read me saying you can put them anywhere.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...