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Xcode UIViewController dealloc breakpoint
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dealloc-breakpoint.md

Xcode deinit breakpoint for UIViewController

This breakpoint provides an easy way to track view controller deinitialization (deallocation) in UIKit-based applications. This can help finding memory leaks caused by retain cycles preventing view controllers from being deinitialized when dismissed or popped.

From Cédric Luthi's tweet in 2017:

Useful Xcode breakpoint. When you dismiss a controller and you don’t hear the pop sound (or see the log), you probably have a retain cycle.

Breakpoint Configuration

  1. In Xcode, go to the Breakpoint navigator (Cmd+8)
  2. At the bottom-left on the screen, tap '+', then select "Symbolic Breakpoint..." from the menu
  3. Fill the form:
  • Name: UIViewController dealloc
  • Symbol: -[UIViewController dealloc]
  • Module: UIKitCore (or leave empty)
  • Condition: !(BOOL)([[$arg1 description] containsString:@"Input"]) to exclude UIInputViewController, UICompatibilityInputViewController, etc.
  • Ignore: leave at zero
  • Action: Select "Log Message"
    • Enter: --- dealloc @(id)[$arg1 description]@ @(id)[$arg1 title]@ (or customize as needed)
    • Select "Log message to console"
  • Next to "Action: Log Message", tap on '+' to add a new Action
  • Select: "Sound" and choose any sound from the list (Submarine, Pop...)
  • Check "Automatically continue after evaluating actions" so Xcode does not stop at the breakpoint
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