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My macOS keeps wanting to install Command Line Tools for xCode 13.2

My macOS keeps wanting to install Command Line Tools for xCode 13.2 even though I don't have xCode installed. I had recently installed Xcode on a trial basis and then completely uninstalled it (also in all locations in the system folder and library). How can I stop macOS from wanting to install Command Line Tools for Xcode 13.2?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 14, 2021 9:15 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 16, 2021 1:45 AM

I could resolve the issue. The underlying issue was that for some reason, even though the /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools has been deleted, there was still a reference to this folder. I found this by


$ xcode-select -p


and the result after uninstall should be


xcode-select: error: unable to get active developer directory...


but in my case, it showed instead


/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools


solution was to reset that reference


$ xcode-select -r


as a last step, I had to delete the preloaded update files


https://sandervoogt.com/how-to-remove-mac-os-update-files/


That solved it.

Similar questions

14 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 16, 2021 1:45 AM in response to lllaass

I could resolve the issue. The underlying issue was that for some reason, even though the /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools has been deleted, there was still a reference to this folder. I found this by


$ xcode-select -p


and the result after uninstall should be


xcode-select: error: unable to get active developer directory...


but in my case, it showed instead


/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools


solution was to reset that reference


$ xcode-select -r


as a last step, I had to delete the preloaded update files


https://sandervoogt.com/how-to-remove-mac-os-update-files/


That solved it.

Feb 11, 2022 8:48 AM in response to IanPin

Ah, that worked! Thank you.


The startup procedure differs for those struggling with Apple Silicon Macs instead of Intel Silicon. Apple's instructions follow:

    • Apple Silicon - Shutdown (not restart). After the shutdown completes, press and HOLD power button until a dialog appears.
    • Intel Silicon - Restart (or startup) while holding CMD-R until a dialog appears.

The above replaces step #1 in https://sandervoogt.com/how-to-remove-mac-os-update-files/

My macOS keeps wanting to install Command Line Tools for xCode 13.2

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