I need a Mac with Xcode to compile my iPad app. However, with macOS Sierra, I have a problem with my USB port (where I would connect my iPad) not working anymore.
Under OS X El Capitan, my USB port works great, but the problem is that the App Store only offers a download option for Xcode 8.3, which only works on macOS Sierra, so the only option I have is to manually download Xcode 8.2.1, outside of the App Stoore, via a .xip file.
How do I install Xcode from an Xcode_8.2.1.xip file I downloaded? In the future, if I need to update Xcode, how would I do that? Also where the preferences and configurations settings are saved? Will these preferences be lost on each update?
Double-click the xip file and it will extract the Xcode application. Move Xcode to the Applications folder and you are good to go.
The App Store should present the Xcode update once you update to Sierra (macOS 10.12). If it doesn't you can download Xcode directly from the App Store. The preferences are stored in /Users//Library/Preferences and are not impacted by updating the version of Xcode or OS.