How To Clean the Xcode Cache And Prevent Xcode Crashes

Xcode is a fully integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS that provides developers with a comprehensive set of tools for creating iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS applications. It includes an editor for writing and modifying code, a debugger for fixing issues, a source control management system for managing code versions, and various other development tools. Note that if you decide to start using Xcode, installation will require a lot of free disk space.

Xcode may crash for several reasons, including bugs in the software, hardware or system compatibility issues, or problems with the cache. The cache is a collection of temporary files Xcode creates and stores to help speed up the development process. However, when there's a storage space shortage and if the cache becomes too large or corrupted, it can cause Xcode to crash or behave abnormally. Clearing the cache or resetting Xcode's preferences can often resolve these issues.

The reasons for the error messages you receive could vary. Still, a typical one is to force the simulator to reload the server's code with any newly introduced changes instead of the older version saved in the cache. Multiple methods exist to clear the Xcode cache and prevent Xcode crash reports.

Clean the Xcode Build

Cleaning the Project Build could help if you are experiencing issues leading to Xcode crashes, as the next time you run the code, a new build will be created.

1. Open the Project.
2.  Go to the menu bar.
3.  Select Product.
4.  Choose Clean.

Alternatively, open the Project and press Command+Shift+K on the keyboard.

Clean the Build Folder

1. In the Code Project, click on the Product menu while holding the Option (Alt) key.
2.  Select Clean Build folder.

Another way to clean the build folder is to press the Command+Shift+Option+K combination of keys on your keyboard.

Reset the Simulator Content and Settings

1. Go to the menu bar.
2.  Open iOS Simulator.
3.  Select the Reset Content and Settings option.

Delete the Derived Data

All temporary build information and project indexes are stored in the Derived Data folder. If you delete it, Xcode will create a fresh folder the next time it is started.

1. Go to Window and select Organizer.
2.  Pick Projects followed by Select your project.
3.  Now, select the project whose associated derived data you wish to erase.
4.  In the new window that opens, you will see the Derived data folder and its Finder path.
5.  To delete it, press the Delete button.

We are not done yet, though, as we also have to delete the module cache.

1. Open Finder and select the Go menu.
2.  Open Go to Folder... and paste: ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/ModuleCache
3. Press Go to open the destination.
4.  Now, drag the items contained in the ModuleCache folder to the Trash.
5.  Empty the Trash.