Quick answer: Unity Newtonsoft.Json deserialization failing in IL2CPP builds? Method metadata stripped - add Newtonsoft to link.xml or use compile-time serializer.
JSON parser throws 'cannot find constructor' in iOS build. Editor works.
Preserve Newtonsoft assembly
<assembly fullname="Newtonsoft.Json" preserve="all"/>In link.xml. Library survives stripping.
Or use System.Text.Json with source-gen
Compile-time serializer; no reflection at runtime. AOT-safe by construction.
Avoid reflection in shipping code
Reflection + AOT + stripping = three independent failure modes. Eliminate at design time.
“Reflection-heavy libraries don't compose with aggressive stripping. Preserve or replace.”
If your game has heavy JSON usage, the source-gen replacement is worth the migration. Smaller; faster; AOT-safe.