if MBP M1 Max is so fast, why is installing Xcode so slow?

[MarvinK9]

Updating to Xcode 14.0 through the App Store on my 2015 MBP. The download was quick, but the install time could be measured in DAYS. As in, at the rate it is going it will take over 24 hours. It has already been over 12h. The progress indicator in the App Store application is still spinning in an indeterminate state. There is a progress bar under launch pad in the dock that is at 80%. Same if I look at the progress bar under the Xcode icon in launch pad. The Xcode app in finder shows a progress indicator (like when copying) that has only a tiny sliver of progress.
The Xcode install experience is garbage.

 

[skardvin]

Updating to Xcode 14.0 through the App Store on my 2015 MBP. The download was quick, but the install time could be measured in DAYS. As in, at the rate it is going it will take over 24 hours. It has already been over 12h. The progress indicator in the App Store application is still spinning in an indeterminate state. There is a progress bar under launch pad in the dock that is at 80%. Same if I look at the progress bar under the Xcode icon in launch pad. The Xcode app in finder shows a progress indicator (like when copying) that has only a tiny sliver of progress.
The Xcode install experience is garbage.

I never download Xcode via the App Store. I always download it via the Apple Developer website as it installs and downloads much faster (at least for me).

 

[andrewj]

I never download Xcode via the App Store. I always download it via the Apple Developer website as it installs and downloads much faster (at least for me).

I don't think the download time is the issue. It's the actual install time. Once it's downloaded, it probably shouldn't matter if you're installing it downloaded from the App Store or from the website?

 

[skardvin]

I don't think the download time is the issue. It's the actual install time. Once it's downloaded, it probably shouldn't matter if you're installing it downloaded from the App Store or from the website?

Based on my experience, the install time from the website was faster than from the App Store. But that may have changed since I last tried it.

 

[f54da]

GitHub - saagarjha/unxip: A fast Xcode unarchiver

A fast Xcode unarchiver. Contribute to saagarjha/unxip development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[jdiamond]

FWIW, I'm using a 2021 M1 Max 16" MBP. Xcode install is taking forever because it will ONLY use the 2 efficiency cores. The main CPU is literally off. Which makes me think it's super memory bound, and there's really nothing the CPU can do. Just a bunch of data dependent loads flushing the pipeline every cycle. In this example, a low end M1 Macbook might be much faster because it has more efficiency cores.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Is it just me? Compiler installs seem to be getting longer these days. VS 2022 wasn't a super quick install either but nowhere near as long as Xcode takes so... <shrug>. (That said I usually only install WPF so it's pretty quick).

 

[motolly]

There is no good reason it takes so long. I installed a complete developer stack/toolkit on both my 2014 macbook running Arch Linux and managed exactly the same on a VM running on my M1 macbook. Frankly if it weren't for the fact that current m1/m2 macbooks got you the best hardware for the price I'd ditch apple forever.

 

[rezwits]

IDK, lately as long as I turn on DON'T SLEEP, and walk away for a +0.1 update, i.e. going from 14.1 to 14.2, that was a pretty quick "update."

Installation, from scratch, yeah slow, but there really is no simple explanation; meaning, you kinda just have to know "why" and how development on macOS work, or else get into a long post/conversation about how symlinks get created/removed, how and why packages are created instead of folders, I mean it's not an easy convo, there's quite a bit going on...

I've used plenty of other "IDEs" but they flat out SUCK compared to the "Power of the Dark Side."

You can do quite a bit with Xcode, but now, for instance they have CUT Watch and TV "parts" to be optional. Which helps speed... IDK

 

[rezwits]

In addition tho, there's two things to KNOW.

The speed "this year" with Watch & TV being cut out increased installation time.
If you have the latest "hardware" that increased speed; meaning with a 4 year old machine, things would/will be slower.

Good Luck...