XCode 26.5: cannot Copy shared cache symbols from Apple Watch

Question

Created 3w

Replies 4

Boosts 1

Participants 4

The process of copying shared cache symbols from my Apple Watch has been horrendous. I cannot even get past 2% complete before this process fails.

Every device is on the same network. I have trusted my machine. Developer mode is enabled on the watch. I have successfully paired the phone and watch. I managed to install an Watch app onto the watch. But the shared cache symbols were never copied from the watch.

I gathered several commands at the terminal to help me.

rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/CoreDevice
sudo killall -9 remoted CoreDeviceService 2>/dev/null || true
xcrun devicectl manage ddis update
xcrun devicectl list devices

Clear CoreDevice state. With Xcode quit:
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.dt.Xcode

Reset Xcode's Local Network permission.
tccutil reset Local-Network com.apple.dt.Xcode
tccutil reset Bluetooth com.apple.dt.Xcode

xcrun devicectl device info hardware --device MY_DEVICE_ID

xcrun devicectl list devices

ping -c 3 MY_IP_ADDRESS

Confirm no VPN/proxy/filter is lurking
scutil --nwi

ifconfig | grep -E "utun|ipsec|tap|tun"

xcrun devicectl device info details --device  MY_DEVICE_ID
xcrun devicectl manage pair --device MY_DEVICE_ID

I keep obtain this type of error:

Unable to copy shared cache files
Domain: com.apple.dt.deviceprep
Code: -33
User Info: {
    DVTErrorCreationDateKey = "2026-05-20 23:41:00 +0000";
    NSLocalizedRecoverySuggestion = "";
    "com.apple.dt.DVTCoreDevice.operationName" = dtfetchsymbols;
}
--
The operation couldn’t be completed. No route to host
Domain: NSPOSIXErrorDomain
Code: 65
Failure Reason: No route to host
--


System Information

macOS Version 26.5 (Build 25F71)
Xcode 26.5 (24943) (Build 17F42)
Timestamp: 2026-05-20T16:41:00-07:00

Does anyone have ideas to help me overcome this nightmare?

Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

3w

I've used the following way to connect my Apple Watch to Xcode, and haven't seen any blocking issue:

Use a cable to connect the paired iPhone to my Mac.
Put my Apple Watch on a charger so the watch is always at high battery level.
Update the device operating systems to the latest public release.
Use the latest public release Xcode.

Best,
——
Ziqiao Chen
 Worldwide Developer Relations.

Answer 2

jasonmarr OP

3d

I'm having the exact same issue. Copying the symbols from my watch always stalls out after a few percent.

I've tried rebooting all devices many times, clearing various caches, removing and re-adding devices in Xcode and nothing has fixed it.

The Xcode Downloads window is also showing this error:

Failed with HTTP status 403: forbidden
Domain: DataGatheringNSURLSessionDelegate
Code: 1
User Info: {
    DVTErrorCreationDateKey = "2026-06-10 19:29:37 +0000";
}
--
Failed with HTTP status 403: forbidden
Domain: DataGatheringNSURLSessionDelegate
Code: 1
--
System Information
macOS Version 26.5.1 (Build 25F80)
Xcode 26.5 (24943) (Build 17F42)
Timestamp: 2026-06-10T12:29:37-07:00

I've tried signing out of my Apple Account in Xcode and signing back in, but that has not fixed it.

Answer 3

inquiringuser202 OP

2d

Accepted Answer

I found a resolution that is reliable. I feel had to go to the extremes to copy the shared cache symbols from my watch.

For my Apple Watch symbol-copy problem, I had to use both the UI setting and a caffeinate session while Xcode is preparing the watch. I had to keep the MacBook plugged in and do this:

Apple menu → System Settings → Battery → Options

Turn on:

Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off

Apple describes this setting as preventing the Mac from sleeping while plugged in even if the display is off. Then go to:

System Settings → Lock Screen

Set:

Turn display off on power adapter when inactive: Never

Apple’s Lock Screen settings control when the display turns off while on power adapter.

Then, I had to go to the terminal command for extra insurance, and run this:

caffeinate -dimsu

Leave that Terminal window open while Xcode is preparing the watch. Meaning: -d prevent display sleep -i prevent idle sleep -m prevent disk sleep -s prevent system sleep while plugged in -u declare user activity

When you are done, press: Control + C

For good measure, I used my wife's automatic clicker that she uses for her phone, so that I could click on my apple watch, to keep it awake. The device looks like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Automatic-Clicker-for-Phone-Auto-Screen-Clicker-Screen-Device-Automatic-Tapp/17945065201?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=103146102&sourceid=dsn_gdn_0c92c416-dbd6-42ec-845c-ecf69af2153d&veh=dsn&wmlspartner=dsn_gdn_0c92c416-dbd6-42ec-845c-ecf69af2153d&cn=0042_fy27_mp_mpa_lo_int_dis_pmax-p13n&wl9=pla&wl11=online&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23148469844&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpy4X5QmYJAMTTnDovmz6_yD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkJPwzISClQMVGCdECB0wdhppEAQYBCABEgJCqfD_BwE

Crazy work. I feel I shouldn't have had to go through all of this, but I guess it is what it is for the time being.

I hope all. of this helps those run encounter trouble with this in the future.

Answer 4

devvydev OP

2d

Experiencing this too. It worked once (I had to set my router to 2.4gz) and the symbol cache sync took about 30 minutes which feels like a bug in and of itself.

Now I'm not able to run builds on that watch despite trying every fix mentioned here and on forum posts online

I'm getting this error now Previous preparation error: A connection to this device could not be established.; The device rejected the Bluetooth connection attempt.

This makes making an Apple Watch app almost impossible.