Xcode 26.4: IBOutlets/IBActions gutter circles missing — cannot connect storyboard to code (works in 26.3)

Developer Tools & Services Xcode
Seoras68 OP
Created 3w
Replies 12
Boosts 8
Views 669
Participants 13

I’m seeing a regression in Xcode 26.4 where Interface Builder will not allow connecting IBOutlets or IBActions.

Symptoms:

  • The usual gutter circle/dot does not appear next to IBOutlet / IBAction in the code editor
  • Because of this, I cannot:
    • drag from storyboard → code
    • drag from code → storyboard
  • The class is valid and already connected to the storyboard (existing outlets work)
  • Assistant Editor opens the correct view controller file

Important: The exact same project, unchanged, works perfectly in Xcode 26.3. I can create and connect outlets/actions normally there.

⸻

Environment

  • Xcode: 26.4
  • macOS: 26.4
  • Mac Mini M4 Pro 64G Ram
  • Project: Objective-C UIKit app using Storyboards
  • This is a long-running, ObjC, project (not newly created)

⸻

What I’ve already tried

To rule out the usual suspects:

  • Verified View Controller Custom Class is correctly set in Identity Inspector
  • Verified files are in the correct Target Membership
  • Verified outlets are declared correctly in the .h file:
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *exampleLabel;

Opened correct file manually (not relying on Automatic Assistant) Tried both:

  • storyboard → code drag
  • code → storyboard drag
  • Tried using Connections Inspector
  • Clean Build Folder
  • Deleted entire DerivedData
  • Restarted Xcode
  • Updated macOS to 26.4
  • Ran:

sudo xcodebuild -runFirstLaunch

  • Confirmed required platform components installed
  • Reopened project fresh

⸻

Observations

  • In Xcode 26.4 the outlet “connection circles” are completely missing
  • In Xcode 26.3 they appear immediately for the same code
  • Existing connections still function at runtime — this is purely an Interface Builder issue

⸻

Question

The gutter circles appearance has always been flaky in Xcode over the 13+ years I've been using it but now with 26.4 they have completely disappeared.

Has anyone else seen this in Xcode 26.4, or found a workaround?

At this point it looks like a regression in Interface Builder, but I haven’t found any mention of it yet.

Replies  12
Boosts  8
Views  669
Participants  13
Tolibi OP
2w

Same problem on two machines. I've had to downgrade to 26.3.

1
moxiaohao OP
2w

I have the same problem. It's normal to use Swift.

0
Mikesch8764 OP
2w

Looks like I have the same issue

1
mavstuff OP
2w

having the same issue with Xcode 26.4 and Objective C project

1
nrudaz OP
2w

I have the same issue, Xcode 26.4, Objective-C project.

1
daniel1113 OP
2w

i have the same issue

0
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
2w

Thanks so much for the reports. Any of you have filed a bug? Have you try with the new Xcode 26.5 beta?

Once you open the bug report, please post the FB number here for my reference.

If you have any questions about filing a bug report, take a look at Bug Reporting: How and Why?

Thanks

Albert Pascual
  Worldwide Developer Relations.

0
Vinderkay OP
1w

Confirm 26.3 works. FB- FB22437928

0
northbeachapps OP
6d

Same here - please fix this asap. Can't continue working!

1
northbeachapps OP
5d

Found a Solution:

To connect an IBOutlet to a property, right click on the element in IB you wish to connect. The connections inspector pops up. Then click on the + sign next to New Referencing outlet and point-drag to the File's Owner. A list of the properties defined in your .h file appears. Click on the property to connect. Same for IBActions.

This is not as intuitive as the drag-point to the property in your .h file, but it seems to work.

1
Macho Man Randy Savage OP
4d

Ya the connection bubbles are gone in source files it seems. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if this was on purpose as a "optimization" / way to clean out source from Xcode to make room for ...er never mind.

You can still connect outlets/actions by just writing the property in your interface:

@property (nonatomic, weak) IBOutlet NSTextField *label;

-(IBAction)methodName:(id)sender

And then making the connection in Interface Builder from the Connections Inspector.

I use to use the Assistant editor and make connections the way you describe all the time back in the day when I was learning UIKit but I do find it faster to just type the property with IBOutlet and then connecting it in the Connections Inspector in IB. A shame not to see those nice little connection bubbles anymore in source files.

I don't care what anyone says about "live previews" or whatever...IB was the thing. It's a shame Apple doesn't make improvements to it anymore but I still find it useful.

2
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
3d

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. While the workaround of dragging from the outlets inspector remains effective, we encourage you to file a bug report for further investigation.

We appreciate your patience in this matter.

Once you open the bug report, please post the FB number here for my reference.

If you have any questions about filing a bug report, take a look at Bug Reporting: How and Why?

Let me know as well if the workaround of dragging from the outlet inspector does not work for you.

Thanks

Albert
  Worldwide Developer Relations.

0
Xcode 26.4: IBOutlets/IBActions gutter circles missing — cannot connect storyboard to code (works in 26.3)
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