Xcode/iOS Simulator running with x86_64 instead of arm64 architecture

Question

Thiru_Adla OP

Created Jan ’25

Replies 2

Boosts 1

Participants 3

Hi,

Can anyone please share some information on why my Mac with apple silicon still using iOS simulator with x86_64 architecture instead of arm64 architecture.

The problem arises when I use FFMPEG frameworks, these frameworks are working on arm64, so they should work on iOS Simulator, but I get error saying these frameworks are for arm64 and Xcode/iOS simulator needs x86_64 based frameworks.

why Xcode still expects frameworks with x86_64 architecture.

Thanks,

Answered by DTS Engineer in 822823022

Written by Thiru_Adla in 772788021

why Xcode still expects frameworks with x86_64 architecture.

Xcode supports arm64 apps for the iOS simulator, and has since the introduction of Apple silicon Macs.

The problem arises when I use FFMPEG frameworks, these frameworks are working on arm64, so they should work on iOS Simulator

Libraries need to rebuild for the iOS simulator to support Apple silicon Macs. Having arm64 support that is originally intended for an iOS device is not enough, it needs to be specifically built for the simulator, so the errors you are seeing in your project are probably enumerated in Technote 3117. Since you're using a third-party library, you should be looking for their support in getting an updated build that supports the iOS Simulator with an arm64 architecture.

If you're using the library in your Xcode project in pre-built form, it needs to be an an XCFramework, as that is the supported way to get support a simulator build with arm64 that is distinct from a device build with arm64.

—Ed Ford,  DTS Engineer

Boost

Answer 1

GeertB OP

Jan ’25

Most likely a related issue, we've been trying to get 'Any iOS Simulator Device' destinations to only build for arm64. We want to do this because the libraries we develop and use in iOS apps rely on AVX instructions on x86_64 platforms. Building such libraries on Mac devices is getting increasingly complicated, as you can't buy Intel based Mac's anywhere, which you need to run x86_64 MacOS binaries that utilize AVX instructions. Rosetta doesn't solve anything in our case due to these AVX instructions that it can't translate to arm64.

I've created a support ticket for this: FB16398099

0

Answer 2

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jan ’25

Recommended

Written by Thiru_Adla in 772788021

why Xcode still expects frameworks with x86_64 architecture.

Xcode supports arm64 apps for the iOS simulator, and has since the introduction of Apple silicon Macs.

The problem arises when I use FFMPEG frameworks, these frameworks are working on arm64, so they should work on iOS Simulator

Libraries need to rebuild for the iOS simulator to support Apple silicon Macs. Having arm64 support that is originally intended for an iOS device is not enough, it needs to be specifically built for the simulator, so the errors you are seeing in your project are probably enumerated in Technote 3117. Since you're using a third-party library, you should be looking for their support in getting an updated build that supports the iOS Simulator with an arm64 architecture.

If you're using the library in your Xcode project in pre-built form, it needs to be an an XCFramework, as that is the supported way to get support a simulator build with arm64 that is distinct from a device build with arm64.

—Ed Ford,  DTS Engineer

0