[FirebaseMessaging] Crash on Xcode 26 + iOS 18

[subdiox]

Description

On Xcode 16 Beta 4, linking the FirebaseMessaging framework causes a runtime crash on iOS 18 devices and simulators with the following error:

dyld[27074]: Symbol not found: _NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb
  Referenced from: <7CB71490-F307-3C6E-853C-925749317C78> /private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/C7665515-F4B5-4EAA-B560-774A439A4F1E/Rulebook-Dev.app/Rulebook-Dev.debug.dylib
  Expected in:     <050203DD-7488-307D-A999-E587314B041A> /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/CoreServices

Interestingly, this issue does not reproduce on the iOS 26 simulator, suggesting the symbol may have been introduced or handled differently in iOS 26. This crash occurs immediately upon launch when the app links against FirebaseMessaging.

This issue has also been reported in the Apple Developer Forums:
https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/789687?answerId=846363022#846363022

Reproducing the issue

No response

Firebase SDK Version

12.0

Xcode Version

26.0 Beta 4

Installation Method

Swift Package Manager

Firebase Product(s)

Messaging

Targeted Platforms

iOS

Relevant Log Output

dyld[27074]: Symbol not found: _NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb
  Referenced from: <7CB71490-F307-3C6E-853C-925749317C78> /private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/C7665515-F4B5-4EAA-B560-774A439A4F1E/Rulebook-Dev.app/Rulebook-Dev.debug.dylib
  Expected in:     <050203DD-7488-307D-A999-E587314B041A> /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/CoreServices
Symbol not found: _NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb
  Referenced from: <7CB71490-F307-3C6E-853C-925749317C78> /private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/C7665515-F4B5-4EAA-B560-774A439A4F1E/Rulebook-Dev.app/Rulebook-Dev.debug.dylib
  Expected in:     <050203DD-7488-307D-A999-E587314B041A> /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/CoreServices
dyld config: DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/system/introspection DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES=/usr/lib/libLogRedirect.dylib:/usr/lib/libBacktraceRecording.dylib:/usr/lib/libMainThreadChecker.dylib:/usr/lib/libRPAC.dylib:/usr/lib/libViewDebuggerSupport.dylib
Symbol not found: _NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb
  Referenced from: <7CB71490-F307-3C6E-853C-925749317C78> /private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/C7665515-F4B5-4EAA-B560-774A439A4F1E/Rulebook-Dev.app/Rulebook-Dev.debug.dylib
  Expected in:     <050203DD-7488-307D-A999-E587314B041A> /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/CoreServices
dyld config: DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/system/introspection DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES=/usr/lib/libLogRedirect.dylib:/usr/lib/libBacktraceRecording.dylib:/usr/lib/libMainThreadChecker.dylib:/usr/lib/libRPAC.dylib:/usr/lib/libViewDebuggerSupport.dylib

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[google-oss-bot]

I couldn't figure out how to label this issue, so I've labeled it for a human to triage. Hang tight.

[ncooke3]

Thanks for the issue and PR, @subdiox. I'm curious if removing CoreServices.framework was applicable to your setup and if it worked?

[subdiox]

I also came across a similar comment on the Apple Developer Forums, but in my environment, CoreServices.framework was not present in the build phase, so it didn't apply.
That said, there's a good chance this issue is a bug in Xcode 26 related to that area.
Whether or not to merge the PR is entirely up to you — I just wanted to share this workaround with the community in case it helps others avoid the crash.

[ncooke3]

Thanks again for the fix. This will release next week in Firebase 12.1.0

[simonmaddox]

The issue that this change worked around is now fixed in Xcode 26.0 beta 6 🙂

I filed it as FB18972476 for the same crash in our own code, and Apple responded this week with this update.