Xamarin.forms: [Bug] Could not create ipa file for distribution of the archive

[nitro911]

Description

Since upgrading to the latest release of Visual Studio (16.6.0), and Xamarin.iOS 13.18.1.31, my IPAs will not generate to distribute.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Archive app
2. Click Distribute, Upload to Store
3. Wait a bit and error occurs

Expected Behavior

IPA is upload to store

Actual Behavior

Error occurs:

Could not create ipa file for distribution of the archive ''
MessagingRemoteException: An error occurred on client Buildxxx while executing a reply for topic xvs/Build/16.6.0.1055/execute-task/.iOS/xxxCopy
TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'Microsoft.Build.Tasks.Copy' threw an exception.
PlatformNotSupportException: Operation is not supported on this platform.

App only changed localization content (strings in RESX and .strings file).

Basic Information

• Version with issue: 16.6.0
• Last known good version: 16.5.4
• IDE: Visual Studio
• Platform Target Frameworks:
  
  
  
  • iOS: 13.18.1.31
  
  
• Nuget Packages: AppCenter, Xamarin.Essentials, Xamarin.Forms, Xamarin.Forms.Visual.Material, SuaveControls.FloatingActionButton, Xam.Plugin.Media
• Affected Devices: All

Screenshots

Text self-explanatory

Reproduction Link

Workaround

None

[ggbarcelos]

I have similar problem

[Filipowicz251]

+1

[jameshowey]

+1

[Filipowicz251]

I did manage to publish the app on MAC. On VS 2019 for Mac, I've changed Release --> Generic Device. And then Archive->Distribute. It works correctly.

Hopefully, it will be a workaround for anybody struggling with this issue, till it is fixed;)

One small catch there. When you are asked to enter app id and password - it is not your apple password - it is app-specific password :) I am being fooled by this feature each and every time :)

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/58112183/publising-failed-we-are-unable-to-create-an-authentication-session

[burakyigit]

+1

[jameshowey]

I can deploy app by going to mac and uploading from xcode.

• in vs, do not select build ipa in ios app settings
• archive app on windows with vs
• on mac, xcode -> windows -> organizer. You see mirrored archived apps
• select desired build, and click verify
• you will be given an opportunity to update certificates to replace any bogus ones entered in ios signing config
• My first attempt failed because the ios AppIcon hadn't been set in the ios info.plist. The actual pngs were present in the build but hadn't been named in the ios app properties.
• On selecting upload, I was successful, but received an email saying that the build had been rejected because UIKit rendering had been deprecated.
• I rebuilt after applying the Xamarin mtouch setting --optimize=experimental-xforms-product-type in the ios build settings
• success

[PureWeen]

Can anyone having this issue use the feedback tool on VS to log a bug please?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/ide/feedback-options?view=vs-2019

That will gather up some logs that will be helpful for the team responsible for this feature

[Lydecker]

https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/961282/xamarinios-fails-to-build-with-messagingremoteexce.html

[tsafadi]

Same issue here...
I was able to work around it by going through the mac, xcode -> windows -> organizer. You see mirrored archived apps. As described by @jameshowey

[emaf]

Hi all, we're tacking this problem here https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/961282/xamarinios-fails-to-build-with-messagingremoteexce.html.

Thanks!

[ondrejdobecka]

Deleting content of \obj and \bin in iOS project helped me !

[nitro911]

Great--closed, and no resolution!

[Lydecker]

This has now been fixed in the latest VS Release 16.6.1