NFCTagReaderSession fails with "Missing required entitlement" on iOS 26.2 despite correct configuration

Environment:

• Device: iPhone 15
• iOS Version: 26.2
• Xcode Version: (add your version)
• Signing: Automatic with Apple Developer account

Problem: When calling NFCTagReaderSession.begin(), the session immediately fails with error code 2: "Missing required entitlement". This happens even though:

1. NFCTagReaderSession.readingAvailable returns true
2. NFCNDEFReaderSession.readingAvailable returns true
3. The session object is created successfully

Configuration verified:

1. BonoResidente.entitlements:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> <plist version="1.0"> <dict> <key>com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.formats</key> <array> <string>TAG</string> </array> </dict> </plist>

1. Info.plist (relevant keys):

<key>NFCReaderUsageDescription</key> <string>This app needs NFC permission to read transport cards</string> <key>com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.iso7816.select-identifiers</key> <array> <string>D2760000850101</string> </array>

1. Apple Developer Portal:

• App ID com.acalvoelorri.BonoResidente has "NFC Tag Reading" capability enabled
• Provisioning profiles were regenerated after enabling the capability

1. Xcode:

• "Near Field Communication Tag Reading" capability added via Signing & Capabilities
• CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS correctly points to the entitlements file
• Automatic signing enabled with valid Development Team

Steps taken:

1. Deleted app from device
2. Clean Build Folder (Cmd+Shift+K)
3. Deleted and re-added the NFC capability in Xcode
4. Manually enabled NFC Tag Reading in Apple Developer Portal
5. Rebuilt and reinstalled the app

Code: import CoreNFC

class NFCReaderService: NSObject, ObservableObject, NFCTagReaderSessionDelegate { @Published var lastReadData: String = "" @Published var isReading: Bool = false private var session: NFCTagReaderSession?

  func startReading() {
      guard NFCTagReaderSession.readingAvailable else {
          lastReadData = "NFC not available on this device"
          return
      }

      session = NFCTagReaderSession(
          pollingOption: [.iso14443, .iso15693, .iso18092],
          delegate: self
      )

      session?.alertMessage = "Hold your transport card near the iPhone"
      session?.begin()
      isReading = true
  }

  func tagReaderSessionDidBecomeActive(_ session: NFCTagReaderSession) {
      print("NFC session active")
  }

  func tagReaderSession(_ session: NFCTagReaderSession, didInvalidateWithError error: Error) {
      // Error occurs here immediately after begin()
      print("Error: \(error)")
  }

  func tagReaderSession(_ session: NFCTagReaderSession, didDetect tags: [NFCTag]) {
      // Never reached
  }

}

Console logs: ========== NFC DEBUG INFO ========== iOS Version: 26.2 Device Model: iPhone Device Name: iPhone System Name: iOS NFCTagReaderSession.readingAvailable: true NFCNDEFReaderSession.readingAvailable: true Bundle ID: com.acalvoelorri.BonoResidente

Creating NFCTagReaderSession with pollingOption: [.iso14443, .iso15693, .iso18092]... Session created: Optional(<NFCTagReaderSession: 0x110fa50e0>) Setting alertMessage... Calling session.begin()... session.begin() completed, isReading = true ========== NFC ERROR DEBUG ========== Full error: Error Domain=NFCError Code=2 "Missing required entitlement" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=Missing required entitlement} Error type: NFCError Localized: Missing required entitlement NSError domain: NFCError NSError code: 2 NSError userInfo: ["NSLocalizedDescription": Missing required entitlement]

Questions:

1. Is there a known issue with NFCTagReaderSession entitlements on iOS 26.2?
2. Are there additional entitlements required beyond com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.formats with value TAG?
3. How can I verify that the installed app's provisioning profile actually contains the NFC entitlement?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.