
While working on my React Native project with Expo, I encountered this unexpected error when trying to run the iOS app:
❌ error: Sandbox: bash(46816) deny(1) file-read-data /Users/jay/Projects/refeed/thechium/mobile-app/ios/Pods/Target Support Files/Pods-app/expo-configure-project.sh (in target 'app' from project 'app')At first, this error left me puzzled, but after some trial and error, I finally found the solution. Here’s how I approached it and what ultimately fixed the issue.
Initial Troubleshooting Steps
I initially thought the issue was related to caching problems, so I tried the following steps:
✅ Step 1: Clear Expo Cache Manually
expo start -cThis command clears the Metro bundler cache, which can resolve many caching-related issues.
✅ Step 2: Clear Derived Data (Xcode Cache)
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedDataClearing Xcode’s derived data helps remove old build artifacts that might interfere with the current build.
✅ Step 3: Clear npm/Yarn Cache
For npm:
npm cache clean --forceFor Yarn:
yarn cache cleanClearing the package manager’s cache ensures there are no corrupted dependencies.
✅ Step 4: Clean and Reinstall CocoaPods
cd ios
rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock
pod deintegrate
pod install --repo-update
cd ..This step ensures that the iOS dependencies are properly reinstalled.
✅ Step 5: Rebuild the iOS App
expo run:iosDespite performing all these steps, the error persisted. ๐
๐ฏ The Solution: Disable User Script Sandboxing in Xcode
After hours of debugging, I discovered the root cause: Xcode’s user script sandboxing settings.
๐ Here’s how to fix it:
- Open your project in Xcode.
- Go to Build Settings.
- Scroll down to Build Options.
- Locate
ENABLE_USER_SCRIPT_SANDBOXING. - Set it to
No.
After making this change, I ran the app again:
expo run:iosAnd it worked perfectly! ๐
Why This Works:
ENABLE_USER_SCRIPT_SANDBOXING is a security feature in Xcode designed to restrict file access for user scripts. While it enhances security, it can interfere with build scripts like expo-configure-project.sh that require broader file access. Disabling it removes this restriction, allowing the build process to complete successfully.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t assume every issue is cache-related — sometimes it’s a simple Xcode setting.
- Always check Xcode’s Build Settings when facing unusual iOS build errors.
- Document your troubleshooting process. It helps you (and others) in the future.
If you found this helpful, feel free to share your experiences or additional tips in the comments below! ๐