diff --git a/.buildkite/pipeline.yml b/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
index 680dd870bd7..cde74f65676 100644
--- a/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
+++ b/.buildkite/pipeline.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ common_params:
         repo: "automattic/woocommerce-ios/"
   # Common environment values to use with the `env` key.
   - &common_env
+    # Be sure to also update the `.xcode-version` file when updating the Xcode image/version here
     IMAGE_ID: xcode-14
 
 # This is the default pipeline – it will build and test the app
diff --git a/.buildkite/release-builds.yml b/.buildkite/release-builds.yml
index 63846500a9b..4292a1a4023 100644
--- a/.buildkite/release-builds.yml
+++ b/.buildkite/release-builds.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ common_params:
         repo: "automattic/woocommerce-ios/"
   # Common environment values to use with the `env` key.
   - &common_env
+    # Be sure to also update the `.xcode-version` file when updating the Xcode image/version here
     IMAGE_ID: xcode-14
 
 steps:
diff --git a/.xcode-version b/.xcode-version
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1579e43e8bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.xcode-version
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+~> 14.0
diff --git a/.xcversion b/.xcversion
deleted file mode 100644
index f0750610b36..00000000000
--- a/.xcversion
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-13.0
diff --git a/fastlane/Fastfile b/fastlane/Fastfile
index 6ef061f899c..a6465e46f7d 100644
--- a/fastlane/Fastfile
+++ b/fastlane/Fastfile
@@ -444,8 +444,11 @@ platform :ios do
   lane :build_and_upload_itc do |options|
     ensure_sentry_installed
 
-    ios_build_prechecks(skip_confirm: options[:skip_confirm], external: true) unless options[:skip_prechecks]
-    ios_build_preflight unless options[:skip_prechecks]
+    unless options[:skip_prechecks]
+      ios_build_prechecks(skip_confirm: options[:skip_confirm], external: true)
+      ios_build_preflight
+      xcversion() # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode, defined in `.xcode-version` file
+    end
 
     appstore_code_signing
 
@@ -501,6 +504,7 @@ platform :ios do
   desc 'Builds and uploads an installable build'
   lane :build_and_upload_installable_build do
     ensure_sentry_installed
+    xcversion() # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode, defined in `.xcode-version` file
 
     alpha_code_signing
 
@@ -577,6 +581,8 @@ platform :ios do
   #####################################################################################
   desc 'Build for Testing'
   lane :build_for_testing do |options|
+    xcversion() # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode, defined in `.xcode-version` file
+
     run_tests(
       workspace: 'WooCommerce.xcworkspace',
       scheme: TEST_SCHEME,
@@ -649,8 +655,8 @@ platform :ios do
     # Ensure we're using the latest Pods
     sh('bundle exec pod install --verbose')
 
-    # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode
-    xcversion(version: '~> 13.4')
+    # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode, defined in `.xcode-version` file
+    xcversion()
 
     scan(
       workspace: 'WooCommerce.xcworkspace',
@@ -662,8 +668,8 @@ platform :ios do
 
   desc 'Take Screenshots'
   lane :take_screenshots do |options|
-    # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode
-    xcversion(version: '~> 13.4')
+    # Ensure we're using the right version of Xcode, defined in `.xcode-version` file
+    xcversion()
 
     # By default, clear previous screenshots
     languages = IOS_LOCALES