Moving files within Xcode

Question

I want to move a file I have in PROJECT/PROJECT.xcodeproj to PROJECT/Classes.

The problem with just dragging within Xcode is that Xcode's file hierarchy system is different from the actual system.

The problem with moving it within Finder/Terminal is that it breaks things and things no longer work.

Please let me know of a solution. Thanks!

mxcl · Answer 1 · 2017-07-06T00:06:29.607

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Works in Xcode 5:

Move the file in Finder
Observe that the reference in Xcode turns red
Open the right panel (⌘⌥0)
Select “Relative to Project” from the Location picker.
Click the folder icon under Location.
Select the new file location.

This allows you to both move files and rename them (both at once if you like).

Edit: Notably, Xcode 9 supposedly will move files on the filesystem if your group structure mimics the file system.

edited Jul 06 '17 at 00:06

answered Oct 03 '13 at 16:41

mxcl

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This method makes the moved files untracked in Git. Is it natural? – SleepNot May 14 '15 at 04:40
How do I change location to multiple files at once? I just dragged about a dozen files into this new directory, I don't want to change the path for every single one. – JobHunter69 Sep 13 '16 at 02:23
Select multiple files, do same steps. Done. – mxcl Sep 13 '16 at 03:15

score 17 · Answer 2 · answered May 25 '11 at 14:48

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I have had the same issue. Groups do not represent folders in the file system. I solved my problem by

removing the references from the project
moving files into the right folders
add files to the project again. (and do not check the "copy files" option)

answered May 25 '11 at 14:48

jules

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I had Xcode showing errors after doing this, but the build was completing successfully. I had to edit my pch file then save it again, then clean/build to make xcode stop showing errors after I followed these steps. Then everything worked great. – Adam Johns Aug 12 '14 at 14:53

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '11 at 17:55

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heres a solution:

move the file from your proj to desktop.

move from desktop back in your proj (select copy resources into folder)

answered May 26 '11 at 17:55

SuperString

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Lance Kind · Answer 4 · 2018-10-01T22:34:49.720

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Xcode9 nearly handles moving files within Xcode flawlessly. Using Xcode, create a new Group/folder and drag the source files into it. Although Xcode updated the 'build settings' 'compile targets' correctly but when I did a clean build it was still trying to compile using the old locations.

After restarting xCode 9 it worked.

edited Oct 01 '18 at 22:34

answered Oct 01 '18 at 22:26

Lance Kind

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score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 05 '13 at 01:12

actually, you can just choose to "delete" the files within Xcode. When prompted, select "remove reference" instead of "move to the trash can"

now move the actual files to the location you desire in Finder

Back to Xcode and select "Add file to " after right clicking your project (I have the track pad, so I have the double-finger).

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

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You can move them in a somewhat convoluted way without completely removing and re-adding them this way:

Moving Files into a Real Folder in Xcode

edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

Community

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answered May 25 '11 at 14:52

Matthew Frederick

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Moving files within Xcode

6 Answers6