Context
- Host: macOS 14.7.6 on Apple Silicon (Mac mini M2)
- Xcode 15.4
- Simulator runtimes installed: iOS 17.2, 17.4, 17.5
- Tech stack: Kivy/kivy-ios, SDL2 (OpenGL ES/EAGL), Python 3.11
- App type: minimal Kivy “Hello World” (no special entitlements, no camera/mic)
Observed
- On iOS 17.5 Simulator the app often shows a black screen or exits immediately (no crash dialog).
- On iOS 17.2 Simulator the same build runs fine (after a clean rebuild of SDL2 and proper xcodebuild flags).
What fixed it for 17.2
- Clean rebuild of SDL2 (no cached artifacts), then build python/kivy/app.
- xcodebuild WITHOUT
OTHER_CFLAGS="-Umain -DSDL_MAIN_HANDLED". - Typical flags:
ONLY_ACTIVE_ARCH=YES,EXCLUDED_ARCHS="i386 x86_64",IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET=16.0. - Optionally enforcing EAGL RGBA8 + retained backing + opaque helped when testing, but the clean SDL2 rebuild already resolved black screen on 17.2.
Still problematic
- 17.5 Simulator still exhibits black screen/early exit for this OpenGL ES path (no clear console/crash signal).
- Real devices are fine.
Questions
- Is there a known regression or change in iOS 17.5 Simulator related to EAGL/OpenGL ES contexts or presentation?
- Any recommended Simulator settings/workarounds for GL/EAGL apps on 17.5?
References
- Repro, scripts and notes (GitHub Discussion): <https://github.com/orgs/kivy/discussions/62 >
- Gist with scripts (create/boot iOS 17.2 simulator, clean scripts, recipe notes): <https://gist.github.com/wolfgang-coder/7e88636fb3f19b492d565e982575939d>
(We avoid posting Bundle IDs, certificate details, or real UDIDs. Happy to provide sanitized logs if useful.)