Xcode 16 Build System Crash: Unexpected Service Error

Problem

After upgrading to Xcode 16, you may encounter the following error while building React Native projects:

unexpected service error: The Xcode build system has crashed. Build again to continue.

This issue commonly occurs with:

• macOS version 15 (Sequoia)
• React Native version 0.73.8
• Third-party packages like react-native-image-crop-picker

The Xcode build system crash prevents successful project builds, often accompanied by crash reports and failed builds in Xcode.

Solution

The primary solution involves updating incompatible packages causing Xcode build failures. Follow these steps:

1. Update react-native-image-crop-picker

This specific package causes crashes when using outdated versions with Xcode 16. Update to version 0.41.2+:

# Using Yarn
yarn upgrade react-native-image-crop-picker@0.41.2

# Using npm
npm install react-native-image-crop-picker@0.41.2

2. Update iOS dependencies

Reinstall native dependencies after the upgrade:

cd ios
pod install --repo-update
cd ..

3. Rebuild your project

Run your project again:

yarn ios --simulator "iPhone 16 Pro"
# or use your preferred simulator name

4. Clean build folder in Xcode

If issues persist, clean the build folder:

1. Open Xcode
2. Go to Product > Clean Build Folder (⇧⌘K)
3. Attempt the build again

Alternative Fixes

Update Lottie packages

If updating the image picker doesn't resolve the issue (or if you use lottie-react-native), update related packages:

# Update lottie packages
yarn add lottie-react-native@latest lottie-ios@latest

# Reinstall iOS dependencies
cd ios
pod install
cd ..

Debug via command line

Build your project via terminal to get detailed error messages about problematic modules:

npx react-native run-ios --simulator="iPhone 16 Pro"

TIP

Xcode may not always surface specific dependency issues in its GUI interface. The command line build often provides more detailed diagnostic information about the root cause of build failures.

Confirming the Fix

After implementing these solutions:

1. Confirm the build completes successfully in Xcode
2. Verify no "Build system crashed" error messages appear
3. Check your app runs correctly in the simulator/device

WARNING

Avoid skipping the pod install step after updating native dependencies. Xcode 16 requires rebuilding all native modules for compatibility with the new build system.

Common Causes and Prevention

The Xcode 16 build crash typically happens due to:

• Native module conflicts with Xcode's updated build system
• Deprecated methods or implementations in native packages
• Improperly cached build artifacts

To avoid similar issues:

1. Keep third-party packages updated to their latest stable versions
2. Regularly clean build folders (⇧⌘K in Xcode)
3. Test command line builds (react-native run-ios) for detailed errors
4. Subscribe to GitHub issue threads for critical dependencies

By maintaining updated dependencies and following these best practices, your Xcode builds should remain stable across future updates.