Resolving the “Unable to Boot the Simulator” Issue in Xcode 15

Resolving the "Unable to Boot the Simulator" Issue in Xcode 15

17 December 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

With the release of Xcode 15, many developers have encountered issues with launching the iOS simulator. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive solution to this problem, based on collective insights from experienced developers.

Understanding the Issue

The problem typically arises when attempting to boot a device from the new simulator in Xcode 15. Often, this results in error codes and failure reasons related to NSPOSIXErrorDomain or issues with launchd. Despite various attempts, including cache removal and Xcode reinstallation, the simulator may still fail to launch.

Effective Solutions

Solution 1: Clear Xcode Caches

Many have found success by clearing Xcode’s caches, project archives, and build data. Follow these steps:

  • Open System Settings on your Mac.
  • Navigate to Storage and search for Developer.
  • Delete Xcode caches, project archives, and Project Build Data and Indexes.

Solution 2: Download Required iOS Versions

Ensure that the necessary iOS versions are downloaded in Xcode:

  • Open Xcode, then navigate to Xcode -> Settings -> Platforms.
  • Download any missing iOS versions, such as iOS 17.0.
  • Restart your computer and try launching the simulator again.

Solution 3: Terminal Commands

Using terminal commands can also reset the simulator effectively:

  • Open Terminal and execute the following command to clear the simulator cache:
rm -r ~/Library/Developer/CoreSimulator/Caches
  • Alternatively, reset all simulators with:
  • xcrun simctl shutdown all && xcrun simctl erase all

    Additional Resources

    For those working with React Native, you may find the following articles helpful:

    Enhancing Your Development Workflow with Repeato

    As you work towards resolving simulator issues, consider how test automation can further streamline your development process. Repeato offers a no-code solution for automating tests on iOS and Android platforms, including React Native apps. By leveraging computer vision and AI, Repeato provides a fast and efficient way to edit and run tests, helping you maintain robust and reliable applications.

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