Resolving the “Could Not Find Developer Disk Image” Error in Xcode

Resolving the "Could Not Find Developer Disk Image" Error in Xcode

6 June 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Encountering the “Could Not Find Developer Disk Image” error when trying to run a build on a connected iOS device in Xcode can be frustrating. This error typically arises due to a mismatch between the iOS version on your device and the version of Xcode you are using. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to help you resolve this issue effectively.

Understanding the Root Cause

This error occurs when the version of Xcode you are using predates the iOS version installed on your device. For instance, if you are trying to run a build on a device running iOS 9.3 using Xcode 7.2, you will encounter this error. Ensuring compatibility between your Xcode and iOS versions is crucial.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

Here are the steps you can take to resolve the “Could Not Find Developer Disk Image” error:

Method 1: Update Xcode

The simplest and most straightforward solution is to update Xcode to the latest version. This ensures that your Xcode installation includes the necessary developer disk images for the latest iOS versions.

  1. Open the Mac App Store.
  2. Search for Xcode.
  3. Click on “Update” to install the latest version.

Method 2: Manually Copying Developer Disk Image

If updating Xcode is not an option, you can manually copy the developer disk image from a newer version of Xcode to your current installation. Follow these steps:

  1. Download the latest version of Xcode from the Apple Developer portal.
  2. Once downloaded, open the Xcode dmg file and select “Show Package Contents”.
  3. Navigate to Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport.
  4. Copy the folder corresponding to the iOS version you need.
  5. Go to the same path in your current Xcode installation and paste the copied folder.
  6. Restart Xcode and try running your build again.

Another workaround involves creating a symbolic link from the new Xcode’s device support files to the old Xcode installation. This method can be particularly useful if you frequently switch between different Xcode versions.

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Execute the following command, replacing the paths with the appropriate versions:
    sudo ln -s "/Applications/Xcode9.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport/11.0 (build number)" "/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport"

Additional Resources

For more detailed guides on related topics, you might find the following articles useful:

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