Trouble Distributing iOS + WatchOS App as a Bundle (Info.plist / Target Confusion)

Hi all,

I’m running into an issue with my iOS + Apple Watch app project, and I could really use some advice. My WatchOS app requires an iOS companion for settings and configuration, so both apps need to be distributed together. Here’s how I structured my Xcode project:

  • Main iOS App target
  • WatchOS App target
  • WatchOS Extension target

However, I’m very confused about how these targets interact, and things are not working as expected.

The problem:

  • I can build and run the WatchOS app and its extension independently in the simulator by selecting their schemes.
  • When I select the main iOS app scheme, I get an error about ITSWatchOnlyContainer in the Info.plist—even though there’s no Info tab for that target in Xcode.
  • I’m able to distribute the WatchOS app by itself, and the extension as well. But I can’t distribute them bundled together as a single package, and I haven’t found any clear resources that explain how to fix this.

This is my very first app, and it’s frustrating to get stuck just before the finish line!

Project Structure / steps to reproduce

Let’s say my project is called MyAppProject, with these targets:

  • MyAppProject

  • Main iOS App

    • Embedded target: MyAppProject Watch App
    • Bundle identifier: com.example.MyAppProject
  • MyAppProject Watch App

    • WKCompanionAppBundleIdentifier: com.example.MyAppProject
    • “Requires iOS App”: YES
  • MyAppProject Extension

    • Bundle identifier: com.example.MyAppProject

When running from the MyAppProject scheme, I get this error (even though I can’t see or edit the Info.plist in Xcode for this target):

“Please try again later. This app has the ITSWatchOnlyContainer key set in its Info.plist, which identifies it as a shell app surrounding a Watch-only app; these are not installable.”

As a result, I can’t distribute the app as a bundle. I’d appreciate help understanding:

  • How should the Info.plist files be configured for each target?
  • What do I do if the Info.plist path seems missing in the Xcode UI?
  • Is there a “correct” way to structure an iOS + WatchOS app for bundled distribution?
Trouble Distributing iOS + WatchOS App as a Bundle (Info.plist / Target Confusion)
 
 
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