How to Obtain Device Support Files for iOS 17 and iOS 18?

Question

CD78 OP

Created Oct ’24

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Participants 4

Hi everyone,

I am currently using Xcode 16.1, which only includes device support files up to iOS 16.4. However, I need to target iPhones running iOS 17 and iOS 18 (e.g., iPhone 15 and iPhone 16).

Is there any way to acquire the device support files for iOS versions above 16.4 without upgrading to a new Xcode version that hasn't been released yet? I’m unable to upgrade my Xcode due to hardware limitations, but I still need to test my app on these newer devices.

I’ve heard about manually adding device support files, but I’m unsure of the process or where to obtain them safely. Can anyone provide guidance or direct me to where I can find these files?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Boost

Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Oct ’24

I’m confused about your ask here. Let’s start with this:

I am currently using Xcode 16.1, which only includes device support files up to iOS 16.4. However, I need to target iPhones running iOS 17 and iOS 18 (e.g., iPhone 15 and iPhone 16).

Xcode 16.1 hasn’t been released yet. Xcode 16.1b2, the version I have installed, has support for iOS 17 and iOS 18. We call this out in Developer > Support > Articles > Xcode.

What are you actually looking for here?

I’ve heard about manually adding device support files

To be clear, such techniques are not supported. Any given Xcode release supports a specific range of iOS releases. If you start copying components between Xcode releases, you will run into weird problems.

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—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
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Answer 2

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Oct ’24

@CD78

Xcode 16.1 beta might have the SDK for iOS 18.1 but it does not have the device support files for that.

Xcode 16.1 supports development and connections to iOS 18.1., as Quinn said above, as well as iOS 17 (and many other older versions). The files you're asking about are implementation details, and the details have changed over the years.

Have you encountered a specific connection issue with Xcode 16.1 to iOS 17 or iOS 18? Are you receiving an error message? If so, please specify the exact error text and where you are finding it.

— Ed Ford,  DTS Engineer

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Answer 3

dengcb OP

14h

Xcode 16.1 support till iOS18.1. But when I upgrade my iPhone to 17.7.2. Then the same alert showed in the Xcode 16.1.

missing string: 869a8e318f07f3e2f42e11d435502286094f76de

So what Can I do?

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