Last Modified : Monday, Aug 26, 2024

Resolving the "Unable to Find Utility 'xcodebuild'" Error in Xcode

If you encounter the following error while working with Xcode on macOS:

ProcessException: Process exited abnormally with exit code 72: xcrun: error: unable to find utility "xcodebuild", not a developer tool or in PATH Command: /usr/bin/arch -arm64e xcrun xcodebuild -list -project Runner.xcodeproj

This error typically indicates that Xcode's command-line tools, specifically xcodebuild, are not correctly set up or available in your system's PATH. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

1. Verify Xcode Installation

Ensure that Xcode is installed on your machine. If Xcode is not installed, you can download and install it from the Mac App Store or Apple's Developer website.

2. Install or Reinstall Xcode Command-Line Tools

If the command-line tools are missing or not installed correctly, you might encounter this error. Install or reinstall the Xcode command-line tools by running the following command:

xcode-select --install

This command will prompt you to install the necessary developer tools. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. Set the Correct Xcode Path

If you have multiple versions of Xcode or the xcodebuild utility is not linked properly, set the correct path using:

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app

This command sets Xcode as the active developer directory. Ensure that the path matches where Xcode is installed on your system.

4. Check the PATH Environment Variable

If the xcodebuild tool is still not found, it might be missing from your system's PATH. You can check your PATH environment variable by running:

echo $PATH

Ensure that /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/usr/bin is included in the PATH. If it’s not, you can add it by editing your shell configuration file (e.g., .bash_profile, .zshrc, etc.):

export PATH="/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/usr/bin:$PATH"

After editing the file, apply the changes by running:

source ~/.bash_profile   # For bash users
source ~/.zshrc          # For zsh users

5. Reset Xcode's Developer Tools

If the problem persists, resetting Xcode's developer tools can sometimes fix issues with missing utilities. Run:

sudo xcode-select --reset

This command resets the developer tools to their default location and configuration.

6. Restart Xcode and Your Terminal

Sometimes a restart is needed to apply all changes properly. Restart Xcode and your terminal or IDE to ensure everything is working correctly.

7. Reinstall Xcode (if necessary)

If none of the above steps work, you might need to reinstall Xcode. First, delete the existing Xcode installation by dragging it to the Trash, then reinstall it from the Mac App Store.