XcodesOrg / XcodesOrg/XcodesApp
Can't make Xcode 26.1.1 active "because an item with the same name already exists".
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- Dominant language
- Swift
- Stars
- 8.6k
- Forks
- 387
- Avg merge
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- Merged PRs (30d)
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Description
Describe the bug
Installed new version of Xcode and tried to make it active. Got the error:
Unable to create symbolic link
“Xcode-26.1.1.app” couldn’t be moved to “Applications” because an item with the same name already exists.
The downloaded version, Xcode-26.1.1.app, is already in Applications.
To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
- Have XCode already installed from the App Store as /Applications/Xcode.app (version 16.4 in my case).
- Set up Xcodes Advanced settings:
-
- Install Directory: /Applications
-
- Active/Select: Always rename to Xcode.app
- Use Xcodes to install a different Xcode version (26.1.1 in my case).
-
- It installs to /Applications/Xcode-[version].app.
- Click Make Active.
Got the error:
Unable to create symbolic link
“Xcode-26.1.1.app” couldn’t be moved to “Applications” because an item with the same name already exists.
Expected behavior
At the step "Click Make Active".
- /Applications/Xcode.app would be renamed to /Applications/Xcode-16.4.app
- /Applications/Xcode-26.1.1.app would be renamed to /Applications/Xcode.app
- XCode 26.1.1 would now be the active version of Xcode.
Screenshots
Version
- OS: 15.7.1 (24G231) on Apple M1 Mac mini
- Xcodes: 3.0.2 (34)
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the Make Active flow and the symbolic-link error reported when /Applications/Xcode-26.1.1.app already exists. Reproduce the App Store installation scenario, then verify that the current Xcode.app is renamed to its versioned name and the selected version becomes /Applications/Xcode.app.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- macos, swift
- Domain
- desktop
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100