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Creating iOS apps

Creating and testing iOS applications is a multi-step process that involves a series of precise actions to ensure your app functions as intended. This document guides you through the essential steps required to prepare your app for distribution and to create test packages using Xcode, which will be used for XCUI testing.

Objectives​

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

  1. Create .ipa app for testing
  2. Create an XCUITest package (with .ipa extension)
  3. Aligning iOS Deployment Target for XCUITest Testing.

1. Create .ipa files for testing​

In Xcode, there are two common methods to create .ipa files for iOS app distribution. The first method directly creates the .ipa file, while the second method involves creating an .app bundle and then converting it into an .ipa file.

Method 1: Create .ipa app​

You can directly create .ipa files using various export methods (Ad Hoc, Enterprise, or Development) for distribution. The App Store type is not included in this method.

  1. Open your project in Xcode.
  2. Choose Generic iOS Device or Any iOS Device (arm64). for the project's device target.
  3. Go to the Product menu and select Clean to ensure a clean build.
  4. Again, go to the Product menu and select Archive. Your app will be listed under the Archives after the process is completed.
  5. Choose your app from the list and click Distribute App.
  6. Select an export method (Ad Hoc, Enterprise, Development).
  7. Configure the Distribution options as follows:
    • App Thinning: None
    • Unselect the option Rebuild from Bitcode.
    • Strip swift symbols is optional.
    • Unselect the option Include manifest for over-the-air installation.
  8. Choose your Distribution Certificate and Provisioning Profile (Automatic or Manual). This will create the .ipa file.
  9. Once the export is complete, you will be prompted to specify the location where you want to save the .ipa file. Choose the desired location for saving the generated .ipa file.
  10. You can use the generated .ipa file for testing on the LambdaTest Platform.

Method 2: Create .ipa app from .app bundles​

  1. Open your app project in Xcode.

  2. For your Product's device target, select either Generic iOS Device or Any iOS Device (arm64).

  3. Go to the Product menu and select Clean to ensure a clean build.

  4. Again, go to the Product menu and select Build.

  5. The .app file is generated in your Xcode project's Products Directory.

  6. After generating the .app bundle, proceed with building an .ipa file:

    6.1. Firstly, create an empty directory with the name Payload.

    6.2. Move the .app file to the Payload directory.

    6.3. Make an archive (.zip file) by compressing the Payload directory.

    6.4. Rename this archive and append .ipa at the end. This creates an .ipa file.

2. Create an XCUITest Package (.ipa)​

  1. Open your application project in Xcode.

  2. Choose Generic iOS Device or Any iOS Device (arm64) for the project's device target.

  3. Confirm that your UI Tests are included in Target Membership and the said targets are selected to be built in your Xcode Build Scheme. UI Tests Targets are specially selected to be built at the "Test" build action.

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  4. Create your test package by following Product > Build For > Testing.

  5. Go to the Products Directory of your XCode project to find the generated .app file.

Now, for creating an .ipa from the .app bundle, follow these additional steps:

  1. After generating the .app bundle, proceed with building an .ipa file:

    6.1. Firstly, create an empty directory with the name Payload.

    6.2. Move the .app files to the Payload directory.

    6.3. Make an archive (.zip file) by compressing the Payload directory.

    6.4. Rename this archive and append .ipa at the end. This creates an .ipa file.

These additional instructions allow you to transform the generated .app bundle into an .ipa file, suitable for iOS app distribution.

3. Aligning iOS Deployment Target for XCUITest Testing.​

Match the iOS version of your app and test runner iOS Deployment Target. If they don't match up, the tests will run locally, but won't be able to run on LambdaTest Real Devices.

To match the version in your Xcode Project.

  1. Go to the Project that you wish to build.
  2. Go to the Build Settings, set the iOS Deployment Target to the iOS version of your app. This will align the app and test runner to the same iOS version.

To match the version in your Xcode Target.

  1. Choose the Target of your Project.
  2. Go to the Build Settings, set the iOS Deployment Target to the iOS version you want to use in your test.
Warning

This process will overwrite the Build settings at the Project Level to the given iOS version. While using this method, take note that the Targets can be out of sync with each other and the project settings, which will cause the tests to break. You would need to re-build the Project if you change the iOS version for one target output in order to keep all your targets in sync.

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