Error Running React Native App From Terminal (iOS)

📱 Error Running React Native App From Terminal (iOS) - A Guide to Common Issues and Solutions

So, you're trying to run your React Native app on iOS using the terminal, but you're encountering an error? No worries! We've got you covered. In this guide, we will address a common issue that arises when running a React Native app from the terminal on iOS, and provide you with easy solutions to get your app up and running quickly 🏃‍♀️.

The Problem: "Unable to find utility 'instruments', not a developer tool or in PATH"

You've followed the tutorial on the official React Native website to build your project. However, when you use the command react-native run-ios in the terminal, you encounter the following error:

Found Xcode project TestProject.xcodeproj
xcrun: error: unable to find utility "instruments", not a developer tool or in PATH

Command failed: xcrun instruments -s
xcrun: error: unable to find utility "instruments", not a developer tool or in PATH

Despite this error, when you run the app from the .xcodeproj file directly, everything seems to work fine. So, what's the issue?

The Explanation

This error occurs because the xcrun command cannot find the utility "instruments" that is needed to run your app in the simulator. This utility is typically located in the Xcode Developer Tools directory, but sometimes the system fails to locate it.

The Solution

1. Check your Xcode Developer Tools installation: First, ensure that you have Xcode and the Xcode Command Line Tools installed on your machine. These tools are necessary for running React Native apps on iOS.

2. Ensure the necessary paths are set: Open Xcode and go to Preferences ➡️ Locations. Check that the Command Line Tools option is set to the appropriate Xcode version. If it is not set, select the correct Xcode version from the dropdown.

3. Add the required utility to your PATH: If the above steps didn't resolve the issue, you can manually add the utility "instruments" to your PATH. Open your terminal and run the following command:

   sudo xcode-select --switch /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/ # Replace with your Xcode path

   This command sets the correct path for the Xcode Command Line Tools, allowing the terminal to find the required utility.

4. Restart your terminal: After making any changes, it's always a good idea to restart your terminal. This ensures that the updated PATH settings take effect.

5. Try running the app again: Now, try running your React Native app using the react-native run-ios command once more. Hopefully, the "instruments" error will no longer occur, and your app will run successfully in the iOS simulator. 🎉

Get Back to Building Awesome Apps! 🚀

Now that you've resolved the "instruments" error and successfully run your React Native app from the terminal on iOS, it's time to get back to building amazing things! If you found this guide helpful, be sure to share it with your fellow developers and React Native enthusiasts. And if you have any other React Native-related questions or issues, feel free to ask in the comments or reach out to us. Happy coding! 👩‍💻👨‍💻

Did this guide help you solve the "instruments" error? Let us know in the comments! 🗣️

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