Setting the Minimum iOS version in XCode Setting the Minimum iOS version in XCode ios ios

Setting the Minimum iOS version in XCode


Assuming you're building against the 8.x SDK, and you have set the deployment target to 8.x or higher, that'll be enough.

However, I'd imagine you set the deployment target the wrong place in Xcode. You'll need to set it under your Project and not under your Target. Alternatively, if you have a .xcconfig file, you can change it by setting

IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 8.1

If you don't have a .xcconfig, you can verify the deployment target, by opening your project.pbxproj file, and search for IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET, and check if it's set to your expected value.


If you have Xcode .xcworkspace setup, say coming from ReactNative background, you would need to make sure:

  • iOS Deployment Target set to 14.1 or whatever version you want to be minimum inside the Project > Build Settings > Deployment for all instances.
  • iOS Deployment Target set to 14.1 or whatever version you want to be minimum inside the Target > Build Settings > Deployment for all instances.
  • The deployment info in Target > General > Deployment Info is set to the minimum support version before the iPhone checkmark.

iOS Minimum Deployment Info

To Verify the minimum version is set properly.

  • Archive the project.
  • Validate and Distribute the Development version of the app.
  • Locate the folder where the ipa was exported
  • Open the .ipa with some archive utility software (example The unarchiver)
  • Drag or Open the Info.plist in any code editor
  • Search for MinimumOSVersion and check whether the minimum os version reflects the required version.

MinimumOSVersion in Info.plist

Even after updating the Deployment Targets the archive doesn't update with the set version, force exit xcode and re-open the workspace/project. Check if the settings from previous session were applied, look for every instance where 14.x or whatever the current minimum version is present and update to the one required. Probably quit the Xcode once again and re-open. Generate the archive again and it should be reflect this time.