"Wait for executable to be launched" not installing app

Question

Created Jan ’25

Replies 2

Boosts 0

Participants 2

When I debug in Xcode, there is a launch flag that is normally set to "Automatically", and after building, Xcode installs & runs the app in the simulator or device.

The other setting is "Wait for executable to be launched". I don't use this feature too much, but I thought what it would do in build & install the app, but not launch. So, the idea would be that you could install the app, then take over - as a user - and tap the icon to launch the app. At this point, the Debugger would take over again, and you could debug the app from a very early spot.

When I set that flag now, the app never gets installed, so I can't do this. Xcode just has this in its status bar, and it never changes:

Waiting to attach <app> on <simulator name>

I swore that it used to install the app in the sim for this setting. I don't know how many versions ago it was, but I really thought it did this. Does it not anymore, or should I file a bug?

Boost

Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

3w

It should do what you're thinking so long as you did a Run command (Product > Run or the play icon in the Xcode toolbar) and not just a build (Product > Build). If you create a brand new project in Xcode from File > New Project, do you still see the behavior you describe? If so, that's worth a bug report. And if the new project behaves correctly, but your real project isn't, then that also identifies there is something unique in your project creating the differing behavior.

— Ed Ford,  DTS Engineer

0

Answer 2

dan_morrow OP

1w

Thanks, Ed. I created a brand new project, "DelaydLaunch", as you suggested. I see the same behavior. The app never installs on the simulator. In the Xcode status area, I see "Waiting to attach to DelayedLaunch on iPhone 16 Pro". I have created a ticket for this. FB16432171.

1