What Xcode do I need to submit an app in 2026?

Since 28 April 2026, Xcode 26 or later with the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26 or watchOS 26 SDK. Any release from Xcode 26 to 27.2 meets that. Apple has announced that from April 2027 apps must be built with the 27 SDKs or later, which in Apple's table means Xcode 27 or later; Apple has not given the day.

Can I target older iOS versions while building with the new SDK?

Yes. The SDK decides which APIs you compile against; the deployment target decides the oldest iOS your app installs on. Apple's table lists iOS deployment targets 15 to 26 for Xcode 26 and 15 to 27 for Xcode 27, so you can still support iOS 15. Guard newer APIs with #available. Apple separately requires iOS and iPadOS apps to target iOS 13 or later since 9 September 2026.

What is the difference between the deployment target and the SDK?

The SDK is the set of system frameworks Xcode builds against, and it comes with Xcode: Xcode 26.6 has the iOS 26.5 SDK. The deployment target is a build setting you choose: the lowest OS version the app runs on. Apple's upload rules are about the SDK (and so the Xcode version); the iOS 13 rule is about the deployment target.

What happens if I upload with an old Xcode?

App Store Connect refuses the build when you upload it, so it never reaches TestFlight or App Review. Apple's rule is about uploads, so it says nothing about builds already on the App Store; the next update has to be built with a current enough Xcode.

Which macOS do I need to run Xcode 26 or Xcode 27?

Per Apple's table: Xcode 26 to 26.3 run on macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later; Xcode 26.4.1 to 26.6 need macOS Tahoe 26.2; Xcode 27, 27.1 and 27.2 need macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later. A Mac that stays on Sequoia can run Xcode 26.3, which meets the current rule but will not meet the April 2027 one.

Is there a minimum Xcode for Mac apps?

None of Apple's SDK minimum announcements names macOS; they cover iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS. Mac apps do have their own upload rule: since 18 February 2025, no file in the app may carry the com.apple.quarantine attribute.

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Xcode and SDK requirements for the App Store

Since 28 April 2026, App Store Connect accepts new apps and updates only when they are built with Xcode 26 or later using the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26 or watchOS 26 SDK; Apple states no SDK minimum for Mac apps. Apple has announced the next step for April 2027: the 27 SDKs, which first came with Xcode 27. Below are today's minimum per platform, every deadline Apple has announced, each Xcode from 14 to 27.2 with its SDKs, the macOS it needs and its Swift version, and a checker for any Xcode and day.

Right now

What App Store Connect requires for new uploads and updates on 31 October 2026, per platform.

Platform	Minimum SDK	Minimum Xcode	Since	Source
iOS	iOS 26 SDK or later	Xcode 26 or later	28 April 2026	Apple's announcement
iPadOS	iPadOS 26 SDK or later	Xcode 26 or later	28 April 2026	Apple's announcement
macOS	not stated by Apple	not stated by Apple	–	–
tvOS	tvOS 26 SDK or later	Xcode 26 or later	28 April 2026	Apple's announcement
visionOS	visionOS 26 SDK or later	Xcode 26 or later	28 April 2026	Apple's announcement
watchOS	watchOS 26 SDK or later	Xcode 26 or later	28 April 2026	Apple's announcement

Apple's SDK minimum announcements name iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS. None of them names macOS, so this page gives no minimum Xcode for Mac apps.

“Apps uploaded to App Store Connect must be built with Xcode 26 or later using an SDK for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, or watchOS 26.”

Next change: from April 2027 (Apple has not given the day), the iOS 27, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, watchOS 27 SDKs.

Other upload rules in force

1 May 2024
Approved reasons for listed APIs
Apps (and the third-party SDKs inside them) that use the APIs on Apple's list must state an approved reason in a privacy manifest, or the upload is refused.
Apple's words
You’ll need to include approved reasons for the listed APIs used by your app’s code (including from third-party SDKs) to upload a new or updated app to App Store Connect.
Apple's announcement
18 February 2025
No quarantine attribute in Mac apps
macOS
Remove the com.apple.quarantine extended attribute from every file in a Mac app before uploading it.
Apple's words
macOS apps distributed on TestFlight and the App Store shouldn’t include the quarantine extended file attribute com.apple.quarantine. Starting February 18, you must remove this attribute from all files within macOS apps in order to upload to App Store Connect.
Apple's announcement
April 2026 (Apple has not given the day)
64-bit watchOS apps
watchOS
watchOS apps must include 64-bit code and be built with the watchOS 26 SDK.
Apple's words
Beginning April 2026, watchOS apps uploaded to App Store Connect must also include 64-bit support and be built with the watchOS 26 SDK.
Apple's announcement
9 September 2026
Deployment target iOS 13 or later
iOS · iPadOS
iOS and iPadOS apps must set a minimum deployment target of iOS 13 or later.
Apple's words
iOS and iPadOS apps uploaded to App Store Connect must target iOS 13 or later.
Apple's announcement

Upcoming

Deadlines Apple has announced that have not passed on 31 October 2026, soonest first.

1 February 2027
Old Developer ID certificate authority expiresOutside the App Store
macOS
Mac software signed with a certificate from the original Developer ID Sub-CA stops working on that date; installer packages signed with it will no longer install. Create a new certificate from the G2 authority and re-sign.
Apple's words
The original Developer ID Certification Authority (Sub-CA) expires on February 1, 2027. Certificates issued by this authority will stop working on that date.
Apple's announcement
April 2027 (Apple has not given the day)
The 27 SDKs
iOS · iPadOS · tvOS · visionOS · watchOS
iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS apps must be built with the 27 SDKs or later. In Apple's table, Xcode 27 is the first Xcode with them.
Apple's words
Starting April 2027, apps and games uploaded to App Store Connect need to meet the following minimum requirements: iOS and iPadOS apps must be built with the iOS 27 & iPadOS 27 SDK or later; tvOS apps must be built with the tvOS 27 SDK or later; visionOS apps must be built with the visionOS 27 SDK or later; watchOS apps must be built with the watchOS 27 SDK or later.
Apple's announcement
April 2027 (Apple has not given the day)
iPhone Duo screenshots
iOS
Every app or game submitted must include screenshots for iPhone Duo.
Apple's words
Starting April 2027, any apps or games submitted will need to include screenshots for iPhone Duo.
Apple's announcement

Can I still upload with this Xcode?

Pick an Xcode version and a day. The answer comes from the SDK minimums and release dates on this page.

Xcode version

Upload day

Only for some platforms. On 31 October 2026, Xcode 16.4 is accepted for: macOS.

iOS Refused: has the iOS 18.5 SDK; Apple requires 26 or later since 28 April 2026.
iPadOS Refused: has the iPadOS 18.5 SDK; Apple requires 26 or later since 28 April 2026.
macOS Accepted: Apple had no SDK minimum for macOS on that day.
tvOS Refused: has the tvOS 18.5 SDK; Apple requires 26 or later since 28 April 2026.
visionOS Refused: has the visionOS 2.5 SDK; Apple requires 26 or later since 28 April 2026.
watchOS Refused: has the watchOS 11.5 SDK; Apple requires 26 or later since 28 April 2026.

This checks the SDK minimum only. A build can still be refused for other reasons, such as a missing privacy manifest entry.

Xcode releases, SDKs, macOS and Swift

Every row of Apple's "SDK and system requirements" table, newest first. Apple's table starts at Xcode 14. Release dates are from Apple's Releases page. Apple's table · Apple's Releases page

Xcode	Released	iOS / iPadOS SDK	macOS SDK	tvOS SDK	watchOS SDK	visionOS SDK	Runs on	Swift	iOS deployment targets	Release notes
Xcode 27.2 27B52	29 October 2026	27.2	27.2	27.2	27.2	27.2	macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later	6.4 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–27	Notes
Xcode 27.1 27A9275	15 October 2026	27.1	27	27	27	27	macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later	6.4 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–27	Notes
Xcode 27 27A266a	14 September 2026	27	27	27	27	27	macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later	6.4 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–27	Notes
Xcode 26.6 17F113	25 June 2026	26.5	26.5	26.5	26.5	26.5	macOS Tahoe 26.2 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.3 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.5	Notes
Xcode 26.5 17F42	11 May 2026	26.5	26.5	26.5	26.5	26.5	macOS Tahoe 26.2 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.3 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.5	Notes
Xcode 26.4.1 17E202	16 April 2026	26.4	26.4	26.4	26.4	26.4	macOS Tahoe 26.2 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.3 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.4	Notes
Xcode 26.3 17C529	26 February 2026	26.2	26.2	26.2	26.2	26.2	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2.3 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.2	Notes
Xcode 26.2 17C52	12 December 2025	26.2	26.2	26.2	26.2	26.2	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2.3 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.2	Notes
Xcode 26.1.1 17B100	11 November 2025	26.1	26.1	26.1	26.1	26.1	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2.1 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.1	Notes
Xcode 26.1 17B55	3 November 2025	26.1	26.1	26.1	26.1	26.1	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2.1 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26.1	Notes
Xcode 26.0.1 17A400	22 September 2025	26	26	26	26	26	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26	Notes
Xcode 26 17A324	15 September 2025	26	26	26	26	26	macOS Sequoia 15.6 - macOS Tahoe 26.x	6.2 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–26	Notes
Xcode 16.4 16F6	28 May 2025	18.5	15.5	18.5	11.5	2.5	macOS Sequoia 15.3 - macOS Tahoe 26.1.x	6.1 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–18	Notes
Xcode 16.3 16E140	31 March 2025	18.4	15.4	18.4	11.4	2.4	macOS Sequoia 15.2 - macOS Sequoia 15.x	6.1 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–18	Notes
Xcode 16.2 16C5032a	11 December 2024	18.2	15.2	18.2	11.2	2.2	macOS Sonoma 14.5 - macOS Sequoia 15.x	6.0 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–18	Notes
Xcode 16.1 16B40	28 October 2024	18.1	15.1	18.1	11.1	2.1	macOS Sonoma 14.5 - macOS Sequoia 15.x	6.0 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–18	Notes
Xcode 16 16A242d	16 September 2024	18	15	18	11	2	macOS Sonoma 14.5 - macOS Sequoia 15.x	6.0 language modes 6, 5, 4.2, 4	15–18	Notes
Xcode 15.4 15F31d	13 May 2024	17.5	14.5	17.5	10.5	1.2	macOS Sonoma 14.x	5.10 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	12–17.5	Notes
Xcode 15.3 15E204a	5 March 2024	17.4	14.4	17.4	10.4	1	macOS Sonoma 14.x	5.10 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	12–17.4	Notes
Xcode 15.2 15C500b	8 January 2024	17.2	14.2	17.2	10.2	1	macOS Ventura 13.5 - macOS Sonoma 14.x	5.9 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	12–17.2	Notes
Xcode 15.1* 15C65	11 December 2023	17.2	14.2	17.2	10.2	1	macOS Ventura 13.5 - macOS Sonoma 14.x	5.9 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	12–17.2	Notes
Xcode 15.0.x 15A240d	18 September 2023	17	14	17	10	–	macOS Ventura 13.5 - macOS Sonoma 14.x	5.9 language modes 5	12–17	Notes
Xcode 14.3.1 14E300c	1 June 2023	16.4	13.3	16.4	9.4	–	macOS Ventura 13.x	5.8.1 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	11–16.4	Notes
Xcode 14.3* 14E222b	30 March 2023	16.4	13.3	16.4	9.4	–	macOS Ventura 13.x	5.8 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	11–16.4	Notes
Xcode 14.2 14C18	13 December 2022	16.2	13.1	16.1	9.1	–	macOS Monterey 12.5 - macOS Ventura 13.x	5.7 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	11–16.2	Notes
Xcode 14.1 14B47b	1 November 2022	16.1	13	16.1	9.1	–	macOS Monterey 12.5 - macOS Ventura 13.x	5.7 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	11–16.1	Notes
Xcode 14.0.x 14A309	12 September 2022	16	12.3	16	9	–	macOS Monterey 12.5 - macOS Ventura 13.x	5.7 language modes 5, 4.2, 4	11–16	Notes

* Apple's note under its table: "The iOS 15 and watchOS 8 Simulators are not supported on macOS Sonoma 14.x."

Apple's definition of the deployment target column: "The OS range supported by this version of Xcode for uploading apps to App Store Connect."

Checked against Apple's pages on 30 October 2026.

How it works

•Every value is copied from Apple's own pages: the "SDK and system requirements" table on Apple's Xcode support page, the Upcoming Requirements page, and Apple Developer News posts. Nothing comes from Wikipedia or other sites, and each row links to its Apple source.
•Requirements Apple has since taken off its Upcoming Requirements page (the Xcode 13 rule of 2022 and the Xcode 16 rule of 2025) are read from archived copies of that page and linked as such.
•Release dates come from Apple's Releases page; older ones from archived copies of it. Apple's table starts at Xcode 14, so the timeline does too.
•Where Apple gives only a month ("Starting April 2027"), the page says so and the checker answers "not certain" for days in that month.
•The checker finds the SDK rule in force for each platform on the day you pick, compares it with the SDK that Xcode includes (iPadOS apps use the iOS SDK) and checks the Xcode version when Apple names one.
•Checked against Apple's pages on 30 October 2026. We re-check them when Apple ships a new Xcode or posts a new requirement.

What it does not do

•It does not list Xcode versions older than 14 or beta releases; Apple's table has neither.
•It does not fill gaps from other sites. When Apple has not stated a value, the cell says "not stated by Apple".
•It does not check anything else App Review looks at: privacy manifests, screenshots, metadata or the review guidelines.
•It is not a live feed. For Apple's newest posts as they appear, see the Apple updates page linked below.
•It does not read your project or your Xcode. Look up your version in Xcode > About Xcode.

Questions

What Xcode do I need to submit an app in 2026?: Since 28 April 2026, Xcode 26 or later with the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26 or watchOS 26 SDK. Any release from Xcode 26 to 27.2 meets that. Apple has announced that from April 2027 apps must be built with the 27 SDKs or later, which in Apple's table means Xcode 27 or later; Apple has not given the day.
Can I target older iOS versions while building with the new SDK?: Yes. The SDK decides which APIs you compile against; the deployment target decides the oldest iOS your app installs on. Apple's table lists iOS deployment targets 15 to 26 for Xcode 26 and 15 to 27 for Xcode 27, so you can still support iOS 15. Guard newer APIs with #available. Apple separately requires iOS and iPadOS apps to target iOS 13 or later since 9 September 2026.
What is the difference between the deployment target and the SDK?: The SDK is the set of system frameworks Xcode builds against, and it comes with Xcode: Xcode 26.6 has the iOS 26.5 SDK. The deployment target is a build setting you choose: the lowest OS version the app runs on. Apple's upload rules are about the SDK (and so the Xcode version); the iOS 13 rule is about the deployment target.
What happens if I upload with an old Xcode?: App Store Connect refuses the build when you upload it, so it never reaches TestFlight or App Review. Apple's rule is about uploads, so it says nothing about builds already on the App Store; the next update has to be built with a current enough Xcode.
Which macOS do I need to run Xcode 26 or Xcode 27?: Per Apple's table: Xcode 26 to 26.3 run on macOS Sequoia 15.6 or later; Xcode 26.4.1 to 26.6 need macOS Tahoe 26.2; Xcode 27, 27.1 and 27.2 need macOS Tahoe 26.6 or later. A Mac that stays on Sequoia can run Xcode 26.3, which meets the current rule but will not meet the April 2027 one.
Is there a minimum Xcode for Mac apps?: None of Apple's SDK minimum announcements names macOS; they cover iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS. Mac apps do have their own upload rule: since 18 February 2025, no file in the app may carry the com.apple.quarantine attribute.