Cordova build iOS error: archive not found at path 'path/to/myApp.xcarchive"

I have been struggling to get Cordova to work and run on my iPhone. I follow the commands below but see error below at build:

cordova create myApp org.apache.cordova.myApp myApp
cd myApp
cordova platform add ios 
cordova build ios

I get the error below:

Building project: /Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/myTest.xcworkspace
	Configuration: Debug
	Platform: device
User defaults from command line:
    IDEArchivePathOverride = /Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/myTest.xcarchive

Build settings from command line:
    CONFIGURATION_BUILD_DIR = /Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/build/device
    SHARED_PRECOMPS_DIR = /Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/build/sharedpch

Build settings from configuration file '/Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/cordova/build-debug.xcconfig':
    CLANG_ALLOW_NON_MODULAR_INCLUDES_IN_FRAMEWORK_MODULES = YES
    CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS = $(PROJECT_DIR)/$(PROJECT_NAME)/Entitlements-$(CONFIGURATION).plist
    CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY = iPhone Developer
    ENABLE_BITCODE = NO
    GCC_PREPROCESSOR_DEFINITIONS = DEBUG=1
    HEADER_SEARCH_PATHS = "$(TARGET_BUILD_DIR)/usr/local/lib/include" "$(OBJROOT)/UninstalledProducts/include" "$(OBJROOT)/UninstalledProducts/$(PLATFORM_NAME)/include" "$(BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR)"
    OTHER_LDFLAGS = -ObjC
    SWIFT_OBJC_BRIDGING_HEADER = $(PROJECT_DIR)/$(PROJECT_NAME)/Bridging-Header.h

error: archive not found at path '/Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/myTest.xcarchive'
** EXPORT FAILED **

(node:4984) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Error code 65 for command: xcodebuild with args: -exportArchive,-archivePath,myTest.xcarchive,-exportOptionsPlist,/Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/exportOptions.plist,-exportPath,/Users/ben/Desktop/myTest/platforms/ios/build/device
(node:4984) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Unhandled promise rejection. This error originated either by throwing inside of an async function without a catch block, or by rejecting a promise which was not handled with .catch(). (rejection id: 1)
(node:4984) [DEP0018] DeprecationWarning: Unhandled promise rejections are deprecated. In the future, promise rejections that are not handled will terminate the Node.js process with a non-zero exit code.

I have tried removing and adding platforms. Also, uninstalling stuff as well.

I'm on macOS High Sierra and Xcode 10.

There is a work around here.

If you're building on the command-line, you can specify --buildFlag="-UseModernBuildSystem=0":

# Cordova CLI
cordova run ios --buildFlag='-UseModernBuildSystem=0'
cordova build ios --buildFlag='-UseModernBuildSystem=0'

# Ionic CLI
ionic cordova run ios -- --buildFlag="-UseModernBuildSystem=0"
ionic cordova build ios -- --buildFlag="-UseModernBuildSystem=0"

If you're building with a build.json config file, you can add the following under the iOS release or debug config:

"buildFlag": [
  "-UseModernBuildSystem=0"
]

If you are opening the project in the Xcode IDE, you need to change the build system in Workspace Settings to "Legacy Build System"

Neither solution - --buildFlag="-UseModernBuildSystem=0" or setting the Legacy Build System worked for me.

For some reason, the error only goes away if I am sure to unplug my iPad or iPhone from usb on my computer before running the cordova build command.

Maybe something quirky about my configuration, but I thought I'd share in case it helps anyone else.

Cordova iOS supports the new build system since 5.0.0 (see release notes).

So update your package.json to "cordova-ios": "5.0.0" (or later) and call npm install.

Note, that I had to clean out everything (delete the directories platforms, plugins, www) afterwards in order for it to work.

If you don't want to set it in the build flag all the time, open your MyApp.xcworkspace and go to:

Sidenote: Yes you need to do this all the time by adding the ios platform in cordova. (e.g. you removed and added again the ios platform)

> File > Workspace settings > Choose for Build System: Legacy Build > System

This also happens when you run cordova ios build --prod with a device connected to your mac. Unplug and try again.