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error HE0004: Could not load the framework 'IDEDistribution'

Photo of Željko Perić

Željko Perić
2w
175
1

Hello,

I am experiencing a problem while debugging an iOS mobile app from Visual Studio 2022 paired to a Mac Mini with Xcode 16.4 installed.

The error message is:

HE0004: Could not load the framework 'IDEDistribution' (path: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/SharedFrameworks/IDEDistribution.framework/Versions/A/IDEDistribution)

I have tried downgrading Xcode to earlier versions, but the problem persists.

Importantly, debugging the MAUI version of the app works correctly, but when I try to debug the Xamarin project, I encounter this error.

Could this be related to the Xcode installation? I have noticed many similar errors mentioning different frameworks, so I wonder if this might be a common installation or configuration issue.

Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answers (1)

0
Photo of Muhammad Imran Ansari
229 8.2k 340k 2w

Hello,

The issue is likely related to the Xcode installation and compatibility with Xamarin—especially given that:

  • Your MAUI project works fine (which uses newer tooling and APIs).
  • The Xamarin project fails, and errors are thrown from macOS system frameworks like IDEDistribution.

HE0004: Could not load the framework 'IDEDistribution' 

usually points to:

  • Incompatibility between Xamarin.iOS tooling and newer versions of Xcode (16.4 in your case).
  • The framework IDEDistribution.framework is likely either changed, deprecated, or has access restrictions in recent Xcode/macOS versions.
  • Xamarin is no longer actively updated for the newest Xcode releases, as Microsoft has shifted to .NET MAUI.

Here are the suggested fixes: 

Certainly! Here are the suggested fixes in bullet points:

  • Downgrade Xcode to a supported version (e.g., Xcode 15.2 or 15.3).
  • Set the correct Xcode path on Mac using sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode_x.x.app.
  • Clear Xamarin caches on Mac:
  • rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/Xamarin
  • rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xamarin
  • Unpair and re-pair the Mac from Visual Studio on Windows.
  • Restart both the Mac and Windows machines after clearing caches and unpairing.
  • Ensure Xamarin.iOS SDK is updated to the latest version supported by Visual Studio 2022.
  • Consider migrating the Xamarin project to .NET MAUI for future compatibility and support.

Good Luck! 

Accepted
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