iPhone is busy: Making Apple Watch ready for development

Since I upgraded to iOS 15, watchOS 8 and Xcode 13, after I turned off and on my Mac, every first time I want to launch an app from Xcode to my iPhone appear this message (even if I'm not developing for watchOS):

iPhone is busy: Making Apple Watch ready for development

The Mac stays stuck on it for at least 20 minutes.

The only solution I found (until now) is to switch off WiFi on my Watch.

Is there a better solution?

The 100% worked solution is:

Turn you Apple Watch off, and every thing is OK.

PS: Sold it on eBay may work fine I guess :)

This is unbearable. Apple needs a toggle to say Xcode "This app does not have a Watch component. I will never build Watch apps. Forget my Watch"

The same issue outlined in the original post is still occurring as of today, April 30th, 2022.

Steps to replicate issue:

  1. Set up certificate signing in Xcode.
  2. Connect iPhone via USB cable into Mac.
  3. Unlock iPhone.
  4. Build & run for iOS only.
  5. Xcode will hang indefinitely on step: "iPhone is busy: Preparing Apple Watch for development via iPhone. Xcode will continue when iPhone is finished."
  6. Step 4 will never finish, only workaround is to turn off Apple Watch completely.

Versions of Hardware & Software:

  • Mac mini (M1, 2020) @ macOS Monterey V 12.3.1
  • Xcode @ 13.3.1 (13E500a)
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max @ iOS 15.4.1
  • Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) 41mm @ 8.5.1

The fact that this is still an issue is very bothersome. I keep having to remember to put my watch into airplane mode (and take it off airplane mode when I'm done). What's the point of having the watch if it's just going to slow down my development DRASTICALLY?

Same issue

Xcode 13.2.1 Big Sur 11.6 iPhone 11 iOS 15.4.1 Apple Watch Series 7 watchOS 8.5.1

I've done the clean, delete derived data, restart dance. Along with various hacks suggested in this thread. Nothing works.

Apple Watch development was terrible 2 years ago. I hoped they would've smoothed things out by now, but it's even worse. If not at fix, can we at least get an explanation of what's going on? Given the amount of time and money we spend to work on your platform. I'm tempted to ask for a refund of my recently purchased watch. Apple is aggressively indifferent to its developer community, to the point of hostility. This is a ******* joke.

same here... apple watch series 6 OS 8.5.1 iphone 11 ios 15.4.1 xcode Version 13.3.1 (13E500a) macOS monterey 12.3.1 (21E258)

Only two things seem to remedy this issue: 1) just be patient and wait a while (15 minutes?), or 2) switch off the Apple Watch and don't use it while you are developing.

Speculation on my part but it looks like that Apple is just too big and compartmentalized. Right had not caring what the Left hand is doing. Those at Apple who have an Apple Watch can't reach over the wall to those maintaining X Code.

I just run a very simple project (Hello world) then go back to the app under development and it works.

Upgrade to macOS 12.3.1, Xcode 13.3.1, ... none work (it did solved for iPad cannot compile to issue but not iPhone).

I unpair the watch it worked. Hence, but I tried flight mode of watch ...

Finally I switch off the bluetooth of the phone (as I found out it still connect to the watch even if the watch is on flight mode and there is no bluetooth connection). It finally compile the sample program!

Anyway, still got this cannot start remote debugging service issue (which mean it cannot start the program at least, unlike the iPad).

Very frustrating, especially I am not even developing for the watch !!

Let me join the chorus..I am now having the same problem. After months of everything seeming to work and synch, now the watch never gets 'prepped for development', even though nothing has changed for the watch app portion. Just a useless message box, that provides no update information or status. Apple get on it..it is destroying the development process.

I just want to through my Apple watch when I meet this f****ing bug, I didn't use watch to develop anything but Apple say that they must prepare debug symbol for watch for me.

What a joke!!!!

iOS 15.5 update, and here we go again same issue is back, except not finishing just spinning. I guess the watchOS needs updating too. Watch is working tho... elevated heart rate, stand goals...

I have this issue to on my old mbp 2015 and brand new mac studio. I mean I'd expect xcode to work, not do wonders, but actually "work" properly?! Seems like spending >2k usd on a new mac is not enough, maybe because xcode demands an M1 ultra or a mac pro with a custom config of over 15K usd... There's always an issue with xcode..

How is this still a thing after so long? Software quality seems to be really "great" these days.

Apple, are you listening!!!!!!!!!!

please address this, it's extremely frustrating. Just how many times does it need to make my iPhone ready for development?

iPhone is busy: Making Apple Watch ready for development
 
 
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