Fixing iOS 26 App Crashes with EXC_BREAKPOINT and URLSession

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If you’re an iOS developer, there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your app crash on launch, especially when testing on the latest iOS 26 beta simulator with Xcode 26. A common issue reported in 2025 is the EXC_BREAKPOINT error tied to URLSession, particularly when initializing third-party SDKs or accessing URLSessionConfiguration. This error can halt your development process, but don’t worry—this comprehensive guide will explain why your app crashes, how to diagnose the issue, and actionable steps to fix it.

In this article, we’ll cover the root causes of the iOS 26 app crash with EXC_BREAKPOINT, practical solutions, and preventive measures to ensure your app runs smoothly. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Swift developer, this guide is written in simple English to help you get back on track. Let’s dive in!

What Is the EXC_BREAKPOINT Error in iOS 26?

The EXC_BREAKPOINT error is a type of crash in iOS that occurs when your app encounters a deliberate trap or an unhandled exception in Swift code. It’s often accompanied by a signal like SIGTRAP and a cryptic subcode (e.g., 0x257b8223c). In the context of iOS 26 and Xcode 26 beta, this error frequently appears when initializing URLSession or related networking components, especially in the simulator.

Why Does It Happen?

The EXC_BREAKPOINT crash typically signals:

  • Swift Runtime Issues: Force-unwrapping a nil optional or a failed type conversion.
  • URLSession Issues: Accessing URLSession.shared or URLSessionConfiguration.default during app initialization.
  • Third-Party SDKs: Libraries like RevenueCat or Alamofire that rely on URLSession may trigger the crash if not built with Xcode 26.
  • Simulator-Specific Bugs: The issue is more common in iOS 26 simulators than on physical devices.

This crash is particularly prevalent when using Xcode 26 beta (e.g., build 17A5241e) and iOS 26 beta simulators, often linked to networking calls in the app’s startup phase.

Why Does URLSession Cause Crashes in iOS 26?

URLSession is Apple’s networking API for making HTTP requests. It’s widely used in iOS apps for tasks like fetching data or handling API calls. However, in iOS 26, developers have reported crashes when:

  • Initializing URLSessionConfiguration.default.
  • Accessing URLSession.shared during app launch.
  • Using third-party SDKs (e.g., RevenueCat, Alamofire) that internally call URLSession.

Common Scenarios

  • Third-Party SDK Initialization: SDKs like RevenueCat’s v5.28.0 crash when calling Purchases.configure due to URLSession usage.
  • Custom Networking Code: Simply accessing URLSessionConfiguration.default in your code can trigger the crash.
  • Simulator vs. Device: The crash occurs consistently in iOS 26 simulators but may not appear on physical devices.

Root Cause

The issue appears to be a bug in Xcode 26 beta and iOS 26 simulators, possibly related to:

  • Swift/Obj-C Compatibility: The Swift runtime or Objective-C interoperability layer may fail during URLSession initialization.
  • Library Compatibility: Third-party SDKs built with older Xcode versions may not be compatible with iOS 26’s updated networking stack.
  • Simulator Bugs: The iOS 26 simulator environment may have stricter memory or threading checks, causing EXC_BREAKPOINT.

How to Diagnose the EXC_BREAKPOINT Crash

Before fixing the crash, you need to understand where and why it’s happening. Here’s how to diagnose the issue:

Step 1: Reproduce the Crash

  • Test in Simulator: Run your app in Xcode 26 beta on an iOS 26 simulator. Note if the crash occurs immediately on launch or during a specific action.
  • Check Physical Devices: Test on a physical iOS 26 device to confirm if the issue is simulator-specific.
  • Isolate the Code: Comment out parts of your app’s initialization code (e.g., SDK setups, URLSession calls) to pinpoint the trigger.

Step 2: Analyze the Crash Log

Crash logs provide critical details. To access them:

  1. Open Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators.
  2. Select your simulator and click “View Device Logs.”
  3. Look for a crash report with EXC_BREAKPOINT (SIGTRAP).

Key details to check:

  • Exception Type: Confirms it’s EXC_BREAKPOINT.
  • Thread Information: Identifies the crashing thread (often Thread 0 or 1).
  • Backtrace: Shows the call stack, pointing to URLSession or a related framework like CFNetwork.

Example crash log snippet:

Exception Type: EXC_BREAKPOINT (SIGTRAP)
Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000001, 0x257b8318c
Thread 0 Crashed:
0 CFNetwork ... -[NSURLSessionConfiguration initWithDisposition:] + 352
1 CFNetwork ... +[NSURLSessionConfiguration sessionConfigurationForSharedSession] + 36

This indicates the crash occurs during URLSessionConfiguration initialization.

Step 3: Use Breakpoints

  • Set an Exception Breakpoint in Xcode:
    1. Go to the Breakpoint Navigator (Cmd+8).
    2. Click the “+” button and select “Exception Breakpoint.”
    3. Enable it and run your app in debug mode.
  • Step through your code to see where the crash occurs, especially around URLSession calls.

Step 4: Check Dependencies

List all third-party libraries (e.g., via Swift Package Manager) and their versions. Check if they rely on URLSession and whether they’re built with Xcode 26.

How to Fix the iOS 26 EXC_BREAKPOINT Crash

Based on community reports and developer forums, here are proven solutions to fix the iOS 26 app crash with EXC_BREAKPOINT when using URLSession. Try these in order until the issue is resolved.

Solution 1: Update Minimum Deployment Target

Setting your app’s minimum deployment target to iOS 26.0 can resolve the crash, though it’s a workaround that limits compatibility with older iOS versions.

Steps:

  1. In Xcode, go to your project’s target settings.
  2. Under “General,” set the Minimum Deployment Target to iOS 26.0.
  3. Clean the build (Cmd+Shift+K) and rebuild.

Why It Works: This aligns your app with iOS 26’s updated runtime, avoiding compatibility issues with the simulator.

Downside: Users on older iOS versions won’t be able to use your app.

Solution 2: Modify TLS Settings

Adjusting the Transport Layer Security (TLS) settings in your app’s Info.plist can prevent the crash by enforcing a modern TLS version.

Steps:

  1. Open your project’s Info.plist.
  2. Add or update the NSAppTransportSecurity key:<key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key> <dict> <key>NSAllowsArbitraryLoads</key> <true/> <key>NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads</key> <true/> <key>NSExceptionMinimumTLSVersion</key> <string>TLSv1.2</string> </dict>
  3. If using nw_tls_create_options(), import the Network framework and call it in AppDelegate:import Network @main class AppDelegate: UIResponder, UIApplicationDelegate { func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool { nw_tls_create_options() return true } }
  4. Clean and rebuild your project.

Why It Works: The crash may be related to outdated TLS settings in the simulator’s networking stack. Setting TLS to 1.2 ensures compatibility.

Solution 3: Initiate an Early Networking Call

Making a lightweight networking call during app initialization can prevent the crash by preloading URLSession.

Steps:

  1. In AppDelegate or your app’s entry point, add a simple URLSession call:func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool { let url = URL(string: "https://example.com")! let task = URLSession.shared.dataTask(with: url) { _, _, _ in } task.resume() return true }
  2. Ensure the URL is valid and doesn’t interfere with your app’s logic.
  3. Clean and rebuild.

Why It Works: This forces URLSession to initialize early, bypassing the crash trigger in the simulator.

Solution 4: Update Third-Party SDKs

If the crash occurs in a third-party SDK (e.g., RevenueCat), check for updates compatible with Xcode 26 and iOS 26.

Steps:

  1. Check the SDK’s documentation or GitHub for iOS 26 compatibility.
  2. Update the SDK via Swift Package Manager or CocoaPods:pod update
  3. If no update is available, contact the SDK provider or temporarily comment out SDK initialization code to isolate the issue.

Example: For RevenueCat, ensure you’re using a version later than v5.28.0, as older versions crash on Purchases.configure.

Solution 5: Use Deprecated URLSession Init (Temporary)

As a last resort, use the deprecated URLSession() initializer without parameters, which avoids the crash in some cases.

Steps:

  1. Replace:let session = URLSession(configuration: .default) with:let session = URLSession() // Deprecated but may avoid crash
  2. Test thoroughly, as this is a temporary workaround and not recommended for production.

Why It Works: The deprecated initializer bypasses the problematic URLSessionConfiguration setup in iOS 26 simulators.

Solution 6: Clean and Rebuild

Sometimes, the crash is due to a corrupted build or outdated caches.

Steps:

  1. Clean the build folder (Cmd+Shift+K).
  2. Delete the Derived Data folder:rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
  3. Restart Xcode and rebuild the project.

Why It Works: Clears stale build artifacts that may cause simulator-specific issues.

Preventing Future Crashes

To avoid similar issues in the future, adopt these best practices:

  • Test on Physical Devices: Simulators can have bugs not present on real devices. Test on an iOS 26 device to confirm behavior.
  • Keep SDKs Updated: Regularly check for updates to third-party libraries, especially during beta releases of Xcode and iOS.
  • Use Address Sanitizer: Enable Xcode’s Address Sanitizer to detect memory issues:
    1. Go to Product → Scheme → Edit Scheme.
    2. Under “Run,” enable “Address Sanitizer.”
    3. Re-run to catch memory-related bugs.
  • File Bug Reports: If the issue persists, file a bug report via Apple’s Feedback Assistant with a minimal reproducible project.
  • Monitor Crash Logs: Use tools like Firebase Crashlytics to track crashes in production and identify patterns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Ignoring Crash Logs: Always symbolicate and analyze crash logs to pinpoint the issue.
  • Using Beta Software in Production: Avoid deploying apps built with Xcode 26 beta to production until Apple releases a stable version.
  • Force-Unwrapping Optionals: Check for nil values to prevent EXC_BREAKPOINT crashes. For example:if let config = URLSessionConfiguration.default { let session = URLSession(configuration: config) }
  • Neglecting Dependencies: Ensure all libraries are compatible with iOS 26 and Xcode 26.

Tools for Debugging iOS 26 Crashes

Here are essential tools to help diagnose and fix crashes:

ToolPurposeCost
Xcode DebuggerSet breakpoints and inspect crashesFree
Firebase CrashlyticsTrack crashes in real-timeFree/Paid
Address SanitizerDetect memory issuesFree (Xcode)
RevenueCat DashboardMonitor SDK-related issuesFree/Paid

FAQs About iOS 26 EXC_BREAKPOINT Crashes

Why does my app crash only in the iOS 26 simulator?

The iOS 26 simulator may have stricter checks or bugs in the networking stack, causing EXC_BREAKPOINT when accessing URLSession. Test on a physical device to confirm.

Can I use Xcode 26 beta for production apps?

No, beta versions are unstable and may introduce bugs like this crash. Use a stable Xcode release for production builds.

How do I know if a third-party SDK is causing the crash?

Comment out SDK initialization code (e.g., Purchases.configure) and test. If the crash stops, the SDK is likely the culprit. Check for updates or contact the provider.

Is there a permanent fix for this issue?

Until Apple resolves the bug, use workarounds like updating the deployment target or modifying TLS settings. File a bug report to expedite a fix.

Conclusion: Get Your App Running on iOS 26

The EXC_BREAKPOINT crash with URLSession in iOS 26 is a frustrating but fixable issue. By updating your deployment target, adjusting TLS settings, or making an early networking call, you can resolve the crash and continue development. Always test on physical devices and keep your dependencies updated to avoid similar issues.

If you’re still stuck, share your crash log in the comments below or file a bug report with Apple. Let’s keep your app running smoothly in 2025!

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