XcodesOrg / XcodesOrg/xcodes

26.3.1, 26.4 Simulator runtimes installed via `xcodes runtimes install` render all emoji as question mark (?-boxes)

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Swift
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Description

When installing an iOS simulator runtime through xcodes runtimes install, the resulting simulator renders **every emoji as a question mark (?-boxes) **, system-wide. The issue reproduces in native Apple system apps (Safari, Messages) and in the system keyboard's emoji picker — i.e. it is not app-, Flutter-, or React-Native-specific. Runtimes installed via Xcode's built-in Settings → Platforms flow on the same machine do not exhibit the issue, which suggests xcodes' install path is skipping or mis-handling a font asset (most likely Apple Color Emoji.ttc) during runtime bundle extraction/registration.

When the same iOS runtime is installed via Xcode's built-in "Universal" simulator install (Xcode → Settings → Platforms), emoji render correctly in Safari, Messages, and the system keyboard picker on the exact same machine. Only runtimes installed via xcodes runtimes install exhibit the tofu symptom. This isolates the regression to the xcodes install path.

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start at the xcodes runtimes install entry point and trace runtime bundle extraction and registration, comparing it with Xcode's Settings → Platforms Universal install flow. Check whether Apple Color Emoji.ttc or another font asset is handled differently; done means the installed simulator renders emoji correctly in Safari, Messages, and the system keyboard picker.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
macos, swift
Domain
cli
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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