Error: EMFILE: too many open files, watch

[Irfanwani]

Bug Report
I upgraded the app to the new arch (0.76.x) and now I am getting this error when trying to archive in xcode:

node:events:491
      throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
      ^

Error: EMFILE: too many open files, watch
    at FSEvent.FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:204:21)
Emitted 'error' event on NodeWatcher instance at:
    at FSWatcher._checkedEmitError (node_modules/metro-file-map/src/watchers/NodeWatcher.js:82:12)
    at FSWatcher.emit (node:events:513:28)
    at FSEvent.FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:210:12) {
  errno: -24,
  syscall: 'watch',
  code: 'EMFILE',
  filename: null
}

What is the current behavior?
App works fine, in dev as well as in release mode on both android as well as in iOS. First i was getting this error in terminal too when running npm start but that was fixed by deleting node_modules and reinstalling deps but archiving is still throwing this error.

If the current behavior is a bug, please provide the steps to reproduce and a minimal repository on GitHub that we can yarn install and yarn test.
Set Run scheme to Release and change run destination to Any iOS device, and try to archive.

What is the expected behavior?
Archive should be executed successfully instead of throwing a metro bundler error.

Please provide your exact Metro configuration and mention your Metro, node, yarn/npm version and operating system.
metro - v0.81.0
node - v22.11.0
npm - v10.9.0
react-native - 0.76

[Irfanwani]

Fixed it by upgrading all the packages (except react, kept it at 18.x as react native doesn't support 19.x yet), though my packages were just a little behind the latest versions, it worked, deleted node_modules, pods and resintalled them .

[codingslash76]

@Irfanwani I am getting the same error (unable to make archieve) as you mentioned. Below is the package.json and react-native info I am using. Can you please help me what I am missing here?

System:
  OS: macOS 15.2
  CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M1
  Memory: 179.06 MB / 8.00 GB
  Shell:
    version: "5.9"
    path: /bin/zsh
Binaries:
  Node:
    version: 23.4.0
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/node
  Yarn: Not Found
  npm:
    version: 10.9.2
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/npm
  Watchman:
    version: 2024.12.02.00
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman
Managers:
  CocoaPods:
    version: 1.16.2
    path: /opt/homebrew/bin/pod
SDKs:
  iOS SDK:
    Platforms:
      - DriverKit 24.2
      - iOS 18.2
      - macOS 15.2
      - tvOS 18.2
      - visionOS 2.2
      - watchOS 11.2
  Android SDK: Not Found
IDEs:
  Android Studio: 2024.2 AI-242.23339.11.2421.12700392
  Xcode:
    version: 16.2/16C5032a
    path: /usr/bin/xcodebuild
Languages:
  Java:
    version: 17.0.13
    path: /usr/bin/javac
  Ruby:
    version: 3.3.6
    path: /opt/homebrew/opt/ruby/bin/ruby
npmPackages:
  "@react-native-community/cli":
    installed: 15.0.1
    wanted: 15.0.1
  react:
    installed: 18.3.1
    wanted: 18.3.1
  react-native:
    installed: 0.76.5
    wanted: ^0.76.5
  react-native-macos: Not Found
npmGlobalPackages:
  "*react-native*": Not Found
Android:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false
iOS:
  hermesEnabled: true
  newArchEnabled: false

{
  
  "private": true,
  "scripts": {
    "android": "react-native run-android",
    "ios": "react-native run-ios",
    "start": "react-native start",
    "test": "jest",
    "lint": "eslint .",
    "postinstall": "patch-package"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "@fortawesome/fontawesome-svg-core": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/free-brands-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/free-solid-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/pro-duotone-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/pro-light-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/pro-regular-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/pro-solid-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/react-native-fontawesome": "^0.3.2",
    "@fortawesome/sharp-light-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@fortawesome/sharp-regular-svg-icons": "^6.7.1",
    "@gorhom/bottom-sheet": "^4.6.4",
    "@react-native-async-storage/async-storage": "^2.1.0",
    "@react-native-camera-roll/camera-roll": "^7.9.0",
    "@react-native-community/blur": "^4.4.1",
    "@react-native-community/datetimepicker": "^8.2.0",
    "@react-native-community/geolocation": "^3.4.0",
    "@react-native-community/netinfo": "^11.4.1",
    "@react-native-community/slider": "^4.5.5",
    "@react-native-firebase/app": "^18.7.3",
    "@react-native-firebase/messaging": "^18.7.3",
    "@react-native-picker/picker": "^2.4.0",
    "@react-navigation/drawer": "^6.7.2",
    "@react-navigation/native": "^6.1.18",
    "@react-navigation/stack": "^6.4.1",
    "@stripe/stripe-react-native": "^0.38.4",
    "axios": "^1.7.2",
    "buffer": "^6.0.3",
    "deprecated-react-native-prop-types": "^2.3.0",
    "fbjs": "^3.0.5",
    "js-sha256": "^0.11.0",
    "lodash": "^4.17.21",
    "moment": "^2.30.1",
    "native-base": "^3.4.28",
    "prop-types": "^15.8.1",
    "react": "18.3.1",
    "react-native": "^0.76.5",
    "react-native-add-calendar-event": "^5.0.0",
    "react-native-blob-util": "^0.19.11",
    "react-native-camera": "^4.2.1",
    "react-native-detector": "^0.2.3",
    "react-native-document-picker": "^9.3.1",
    "react-native-geolocation-service": "^5.3.1",
    "react-native-gesture-handler": "^2.21.2",
    "react-native-image-crop-picker": "^0.41.6",
    "react-native-image-picker": "^7.2.2",
    "react-native-image-viewing": "^0.2.2",
    "react-native-inappbrowser-reborn": "^3.7.0",
    "react-native-indicators": "^0.17.0",
    "react-native-keyboard-aware-scroll-view": "^0.9.5",
    "react-native-linear-gradient": "^2.8.3",
    "react-native-maps": "^1.20.1",
    "react-native-masonry-list": "^2.16.2",
    "react-native-media-controls": "^2.3.0",
    "react-native-modal": "^13.0.1",
    "react-native-modal-datetime-picker": "^18.0.0",
    "react-native-nfc-manager": "^3.16.1",
    "react-native-pdf": "^6.7.6",
    "react-native-permissions": "^5.2.1",
    "react-native-picker-select": "^9.3.1",
    "react-native-qrcode-scanner": "^1.5.5",
    "react-native-qrcode-svg": "^6.3.12",
    "react-native-quick-actions": "^0.3.13",
    "react-native-reanimated": "^3.15.0",
    "react-native-safe-area-context": "^5.0.0",
    "react-native-screens": "^4.3.0",
    "react-native-share": "^12.0.3",
    "react-native-slider": "^0.11.0",
    "react-native-snap-carousel": "^3.9.1",
    "react-native-sound": "^0.11.2",
    "react-native-svg": "^15.10.1",
    "react-native-swipe-gestures": "^1.0.5",
    "react-native-swipe-list-view": "^3.2.9",
    "react-native-swiper": "^1.6.0",
    "react-native-switch-selector": "^2.3.0",
    "react-native-webview": "^13.12.5",
    "react-native-zohodesk-portal-sdk": "^1.3.6",
    "react-redux": "^9.1.2",
    "redux": "^5.0.1",
    "rive-react-native": "^7.3.0",
    "rn-range-slider": "github:githuboftigran/rn-range-slider#v1"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@babel/core": "^7.25.2",
    "@babel/preset-env": "^7.25.3",
    "@babel/runtime": "^7.25.0",
    "@eslint/compat": "^1.2.4",
    "@react-native-community/cli": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-android": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native-community/cli-platform-ios": "15.0.1",
    "@react-native/babel-preset": "0.76.5",
    "@react-native/eslint-config": "0.76.5",
    "@react-native/metro-config": "0.76.5",
    "@react-native/typescript-config": "0.76.5",
    "@types/react": "^18.2.6",
    "@types/react-test-renderer": "^18.0.0",
    "@welldone-software/why-did-you-render": "^8.0.3",
    "babel-jest": "^29.6.3",
    "babel-plugin-module-resolver": "^5.0.2",
    "eslint": "^9.16.0",
    "jest": "^29.6.3",
    "patch-package": "^8.0.0",
    "prettier": "^3.4.2",
    "react-devtools": "^5.3.1",
    "react-devtools-core": "^5.3.1",
    "react-test-renderer": "18.3.1",
    "typescript": "^5.5.4"
  },
  "engines": {
    "node": ">=18"
  },
  "rnpm": {
    "assets": [
      "./assets/fonts"
    ]
  }
}

[codingslash76]

[Irfanwani]

@codingslash76 for me it was the packages, delete node_modules, upgrade your packages, delete pods and reinstall all dependencies (npm i, cd ios, pod install). It should fix the issue

[codingslash76]

@Irfanwani Thanks for the response.

I have attempted all the steps multiple times without success, even after resetting the entire system.

I have created the following issue.
react/react-native#48304

[Irfanwani]

Did you reinstalled watchman (and delete its cache).

[codingslash76]

Yes, Multiple times.
It's working fine on simulator (Android and IOS) but the error is there only while creating release build for both OS.

[robhogan]

I'm surprised to see NodeWatcher being used on macOS - typically it should be using FSEventsWatcher if the fsevents optional dependency is installed.

Do you have fsevents in your node_modules?

[quifago]

I'm facing the same error:

node:events:502
      throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
      ^

Error: EMFILE: too many open files, watch
    at FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:207:21)
Emitted 'error' event on NodeWatcher instance at:
    at FSWatcher._checkedEmitError (/Users/quique/Developer/with-openai/node_modules/metro-file-map/src/watchers/NodeWatcher.js:82:12)
    at FSWatcher.emit (node:events:524:28)
    at FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:213:12) {
  errno: -24,
  syscall: 'watch',
  code: 'EMFILE',
  filename: null
}

Node.js v22.13.0

And nope, I don't have fsevents in my node_modules.

It looks like watchman is not initiated.

Just running the the watchman command, with no arguments or whatsoever, fixes it. But it happens again next time I restart the computer (MacOS).

[robhogan]

fsevents is no longer a dependency as of 0.81.1 (yesterday), and the watcher behaviour has been tweaked to hopefully mitigate this.

If folks are still seeing this with Metro 0.81.1, could you mention whether you have Watchman installed, whether you have a monorepo setup, and whether it's a big/small (corporate/hobby) project? (Or concretely, approx number of files under configured watchFolders, including the project root)

Running Metro with DEBUG=Metro:* and pasting the terminal output would also be very helpful.

[marcodafonseca]

I'm facing the same error:

node:events:502
      throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
      ^

Error: EMFILE: too many open files, watch
    at FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:207:21)
Emitted 'error' event on NodeWatcher instance at:
    at FSWatcher._checkedEmitError (/Users/quique/Developer/with-openai/node_modules/metro-file-map/src/watchers/NodeWatcher.js:82:12)
    at FSWatcher.emit (node:events:524:28)
    at FSWatcher._handle.onchange (node:internal/fs/watchers:213:12) {
  errno: -24,
  syscall: 'watch',
  code: 'EMFILE',
  filename: null
}

Node.js v22.13.0

And nope, I don't have fsevents in my node_modules.

It looks like watchman is not initiated.

Just running the the watchman command, with no arguments or whatsoever, fixes it. But it happens again next time I restart the computer (MacOS).

@quifago - You deserve a giant, delicious, and moist chocolate cake! Thanks for pointing this out!

[JASIM0021]

Fix for "EMFILE: too many open files" Issue in Expo on macOS

If you're encountering the EMFILE: too many open files, watch error in Expo on macOS, follow these steps to fix the issue:

Step 1: Install watchman

First, make sure that watchman is installed:

brew install watchman

Step 2: Increase the Watcher Limit

Ensure that the watch limit is properly set:

ulimit -n 9999999

Step 3: Delete node_modules and package-lock.json

Delete the node_modules directory and package-lock.json file to ensure a fresh installation of packages:

rm -rf node_modules && rm package-lock.json

Step 4: Install Packages

Install the dependencies again:

npm install

Step 5: Upgrade watchman (If Needed)

Make sure watchman is up-to-date:

brew upgrade watchman

Step 6: Create metro.config.js

Create a metro.config.js file in the root of your project and add the following configuration:

const exclusionList = require('metro-config/src/defaults/exclusionList');

module.exports = {
  resolver: {
    blockList: exclusionList([
      /node_modules/,
      /build/
    ])
  }
};

Step 7: Shutdown watchman

Stop the watchman server:

watchman shutdown-server

Step 8: Clear Expo's Cache

Clear Expo's cache to reset any internal issues:

expo start -c

---

This should resolve the "too many open files" issue in Expo. Let me know if you face any other problems!

[petertoth-dev]

Sometimes it's not about watchman even if the error tells that:

If you've already tried everything (restart, clean build, watchman install, watchman reinstall, increase watcher limit etc....), your case might be similar to mine, and you don't have node in PATH for the Xcode environment.

Xcode -> Build Phases -> Scroll down to "Bundle React Native code and images", and add node to PATH:
export PATH=$PATH:/opt/homebrew/bin

In case your node is in a different path (e.g. you installed it with nvm), check your node's PATH and add it to PATH like above.

To check your node's path, open terminal and which node should tell you the path.

export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/your/node/folder

[JASIM0021]

agree

export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/your/node/folder

This step is important. Thank you for your attention to this information!

[kevingo710]

My fix: downgrade node version from v23.9.0 to -> v18.20.7 reinstall node_modules, run and enjoy!