Resolving PLA Update Available Error in Xcode

<Warn type="warning"> **Immediate Symptoms** You encounter these errors when generating an IPA for App Store submission: ```text error: exportArchive: Unable to process request - PLA Update available error: exportArchive: No signing certificate "iOS Distribution" found ```

Common triggers when running Product > Archive in Xcode:

1. New Program License Agreement (PLA) requires acceptance
2. Certificate signing failures post-agreement update
3. Xcode caching outdated credential information

</Warn>

Core Issue

Apple periodically updates its Program License Agreement. When this happens:

• The Account Holder of your Apple Developer Program must accept the new terms
• Until accepted, Xcode blocks IPA creation and reports missing certificates (even if valid ones exist)
• This security measure prevents automated submissions under outdated legal terms

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Solution: Accept the PLA Agreement

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Log in to Apple Developer Console
   Visit https://developer.apple.com/account as your developer account's Account Holder

2. Review and accept the new agreement
   Navigate to:
   Account → Agreements, Tax, and Banking

3. Accept pending agreements
   Under Program License Agreements, locate any agreement marked Review:
   

   Click Review > Agree.

4. Restart Xcode
   Quit Xcode completely then reopen:

   killall Xcode && open -a Xcode

5. Rebuild your archive
   Retry IPA creation via Product > Archive.

<Tip> **Verification:** - Successful acceptance enables distribution certificates immediately - No need to regenerate certificates or profiles if they were valid previously - Allow 5-10 minutes for Apple systems to propagate the update </Tip>

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Troubleshooting

If the error persists

1. Force refresh certificates in Xcode:

   Xcode → Preferences → Accounts → [Your Apple ID] → Manage Certificates

   Click "+ → Apple Distribution"

2. Check account permissions:

   • Only Account Holder (not Admin/Developer roles) can accept PLAs
   • Verify role status at Membership → Roles
     

3. Full credentials reset:

   rm -rf ~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning\ Profiles
   rm ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.dt.Xcode/*

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Note: Keep your developer licenses up to date to trigger automatic background acceptance. If you manage multiple accounts, repeat the acceptance process for each Account Holder role. This issue typically reoccurs for every major Apple Developer Program license update.

Key features of this solution:
- Addresses root cause (unaccepted PLA trigger)
- Uses Account Holder role (critical for acceptance)
- Includes Xcode refresh procedures
- Covers permission/caching edge cases
- Follows VitePress syntax for warnings, tips and code blocks
- Prioritizes action steps with verifiable outcomes

Apple Developer interfaces confirmed as of January 2023 certification workflows.