diff --git a/BUILD.gn b/BUILD.gn
index 208a7107ff..4baf3ac869 100644
--- a/BUILD.gn
+++ b/BUILD.gn
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ declare_args() {
 
   # Use external files for startup data blobs:
   # the JS builtins sources and the start snapshot.
-  v8_use_external_startup_data = true
+  v8_use_external_startup_data = !is_ios
 
   # Sets -DVERIFY_HEAP.
   v8_enable_verify_heap = false