So you moved to 3 and now are suffering from regretsies. Or you’re using Xcode 8 and you want to build a new 2.3 project. Fear not. Here are some tips for all your legacification needs.

Downgrading a Swift 3.0 Project

If you’re feeling especially regretful about moving a project to 3.0, you can downgrade it back to 2.3, but expect work unless you can regress to an appropriate commit. Adjust your build settings to use Legacy Swift (aka Taylor Lautner):

Building a New 2.3 Project in Xcode 8

Since Xcode 8 doesn’t let you build 2.3 projects, you need to create a 3.0 project. Use build settings to regress to Legacy Swift.

After, make sure to convert all the code back to 2.3. Xcode offers most of the fixits you need for skeleton projects. Be aware that using “Fix all in scope” tends to crash Xcode 8. (27486260).

Once converted, throw in a for-loop. This ensures that you’re actually running and compiling Swift 2.3 and not Swift 3:

Importing 2.2 to Xcode 8 as Swift 2.3

If you’re working with an existing 2.2 codebase and are not ready to migrate to a language that has not, as yet, finished its design, you can choose the Swift 2.3 compiler.

First convert the project.

Next, choose 2.3. The dialog defaults to Use Swift 3, so don’t hit Next until you mentally confirm your choice.

For many 2.2 projects, you’re ready to rumble.

Projects that use deprecated APIs and target iOS 10, may need upgrading: