"pod init" creates error that says "You need at least git version 1.8.5 to use CocoaPods"

It needs to set your command line tool version, in your Xcode (Preferences).

You can download latest command line tool from Apple Download Portal, if you have paid apple developer account/id.


Here are current stable and beta Xcode Tools and supporting command line tool download links. (Ensure you're logged in using premium developer account on Apple Developer Account to access these links)

Xcode 11

  • Xcode 11.2 beta 2
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 11.2 beta 2) - for macOS 10.14)

  • Xcode 11
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 11) - for macOS 10.14)

Xcode 10

  • Xcode 10.2.1
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10.2.1) - for macOS 10.14)

  • Xcode 10.2
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10.2) - for macOS 10.14)

  • Xcode 10.1
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10.1) - for macOS 10.14)
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10.1) - for macOS 10.13)

  • Xcode 10
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10) - for macOS 10.14)
    - (Command Line Tool (Xcode 10) - for macOS 10.13)

Once you've latest command line tool installed in your system, set it from Xcode Menu.

(Xcode Menu Items) Xcode ► Preferences ► Location ► Command Line Tool ► Select appropriate command line tool

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Firstly remove the existing git in your system using commands:-

Use command "which git" that will give u the path say "/usr/local/bin/git", then use command->$ sudo rm -rf /usr/local/bin/git

This will remove existing git from your system Then reinstall git again

$ brew install git

It might issue a warning saying Warning: git 2.13.2 is already installed, it's just not linked. You can use `brew link git` to link this version.

Then run below mentioned command:-

$ sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/share/
$ sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/lib
$ brew link --overwrite --dry-run git

It might give you error Error: Could not symlink share/git-core/templates/description Target /usr/local/share/git-core/templates/description already exists. You may want to remove it: rm '/usr/local/share/git-core/templates/description'

To force the link and overwrite all conflicting files: brew link --overwrite git

To list all files that would be deleted: brew link --overwrite --dry-run git

Then finally run command

$ brew link --overwrite git

This is how I updated my git and pod init worked. Hope you find it helpful :)


I had a similar issue after installing a second Xcode. As a result there was no command line tools specified in xcode-select -p

Fixed by manually choosing newer Xcode version