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Should I update my workloads after updating to a new Xcode version?

Kim Strasser 2,206 Reputation points
2026-03-12T09:39:38.48+00:00

I just updated Xcode to version 26.3 and I don´t know if I need to update the workloads in Visual Studio 2026 Community.

Is it necessary to update the workloads in Visual Studio?

Installed Workload Id Manifest Version Installation Source

android 36.1.30/10.0.100 VS 18.4.11605.240, VS 17.14.36717.8 ios 26.2.10217/10.0.100 VS 18.4.11605.240, VS 17.14.36717.8 maccatalyst 26.2.10217/10.0.100 VS 18.4.11605.240, VS 17.14.36717.8 maui-windows 10.0.20/10.0.100 VS 18.4.11605.240, VS 17.14.36717.8

9.0.306 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk] 9.0.308 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk] 10.0.200 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\sdk]

dotnet --list-runtimes Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 8.0.22 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 8.0.25 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 9.0.10 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 9.0.11 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 9.0.14 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.AspNetCore.App 10.0.4 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.AspNetCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 8.0.17 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 8.0.22 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 8.0.25 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 9.0.3 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 9.0.10 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 9.0.11 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 9.0.14 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.NETCore.App 10.0.4 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.NETCore.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 8.0.17 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 8.0.22 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 8.0.25 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 9.0.3 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 9.0.10 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 9.0.11 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 9.0.14 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App] Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App 10.0.4 [C:\Program Files\dotnet\shared\Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App]

Developer technologies | .NET | .NET MAUI
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  1. Nancy Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 880 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-12T10:50:41.4366667+00:00

    Hi @Kim Strasser ,

    Thank you for reaching out.

    It’s better to update to the newest version to ensure compatibility and avoid build issues. Your current ios/maccatalyst workloads are built & tested only for Xcode 26.2. Xcode 26.3 has small but important changes (new SDK headers, tools, APIs). Without matching workloads, MAUI can't find the right pieces.

    I recommend trying the following steps:

    1. Open Visual Studio 2026 Community on Windows.
    2. Go to Tools → Command Line → Developer Command Prompt (or PowerShell).
    3. Type this command and press Enter:

    dotnet workload update

    1. After it finishes, restart Visual Studio.
    2. Try building your app again for iOS simulator or device.

    Hope this helps. If you found my response helpful or informative, I would greatly appreciate it if you could follow this guidance provide feedback. Thank you.

  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-12T09:39:53.9166667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Updating Xcode and updating .NET/iOS workloads are related but independent.

    For .NET for iOS, tvOS, Mac Catalyst, and macOS, each workload version requires a specific Xcode version. The supported Xcode version for each .NET for iOS release is published in the release notes at https://github.com/dotnet/macios/releases.

    Guidance based on the provided information:

    1. Updating Xcode alone does not automatically require updating Visual Studio workloads. What matters is whether the currently installed iOS/macOS workloads support the new Xcode version.
    2. If builds work without errors, the current workloads are compatible with the installed Xcode version and no change is required.
    3. If a build error appears similar to:
      • “This version of Microsoft.iOS requires the iOS XX.Y SDK (shipped with Xcode NN.M). The current version of Xcode is … Either install Xcode NN.M, or use a different version of Microsoft.iOS.” then either:
      • Install the Xcode version mentioned in the error, or
      • Install an older/newer .NET for iOS workload version that matches the Xcode version in use.
    4. To decide proactively, check the .NET for iOS release notes for the exact Xcode version required by the Microsoft.iOS / .NET for iOS version that Visual Studio 2026 Community has installed. If the notes say that version supports Xcode 26.3, then it is safe to stay on the current workloads. If they require a different Xcode version, either:
      • Update workloads (when a newer release supporting Xcode 26.3 is available), or
      • Install a matching Xcode version alongside 26.3.
    5. If the Mac cannot run the newer macOS required by a newer Xcode version, the only supported option is to use an older workload version that matches the Xcode version the machine can run.

    In summary: workloads only need to be updated when the installed .NET for iOS/macOS workloads do not support the Xcode version in use. Use the .NET for iOS release notes to confirm the supported Xcode version and then either keep, update, or downgrade workloads accordingly.

    References:

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