Building a Free Version of Your App Without Duplicating the Xcode 4 Project

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As a mobile app developer, it’s not uncommon to want to offer different versions of an app to users, such as a free version and a paid version. While duplicating the Xcode project is a straightforward way to do this, it can be cumbersome to maintain, especially when it comes to updating features and bug fixes across both versions. In this article, we’ll explore how to build a free version of your app from a paid version without duplicating the Xcode 4 project.

Understanding Targets in Xcode

Before we dive into the process, let’s take a brief look at what targets are in Xcode. A target is essentially a single build configuration for an app, such as Release or Debug. When you create a new target in Xcode, you’re creating a separate build configuration that can be used to compile and package your app.

Setting Up Your Project

To start building the free version of your app without duplicating the Xcode 4 project, follow these steps:

1. Open your project in Xcode and select the top-level item in the Project Navigator.
2. You should see a list of targets for your project. If you don’t see any targets listed, click on the “Create a new target” button at the bottom of the sidebar.

Creating a New Target

To create a new target for the free version of your app, control-click (or right-click) on an existing target that’s similar to what you want. This will duplicate the existing target, creating a new one with a different name and build configuration.

1. Name your new target something like “FreeVersion” or “LiteApp”.
2. In the Target Editor, select the Build Phases tab.
3. Here, you can control which source files are built as part of this target and which resources are copied for it.
4. To include only specific resources in the free version, create a new build configuration using the “+” button at the bottom of the sidebar.

Configuring Build Settings

To make your code conditional depending on the build configuration, you’ll need to add some preprocessor macros to your target’s settings.

1. In the Target Editor, select the Build Settings tab.
2. Search for Preprocessor Macros and click on the “+” button next to it.
3. Add a new macro, such as MYAPPLITE=1, that will be used to conditionally compile code in your app.

Writing Conditional Code

Now that you have a way to make your code conditional depending on the build configuration, let’s take a look at how to do this in code.

Here’s an example of how you might write a piece of code that uses the MYAPPLITE macro:

#ifdef MYAPPLITE
    [self loadBoringFeature];
#else
    [self loadGreatFeature];
#endif

In this example, if MYAPPLITE is defined (which it should be for the free version), then the code will compile and use the loadBoringFeature() method. Otherwise, it will use the loadGreatFeature() method.

Managing Schemes

To switch between building the free version or the paid version, you’ll need to select a different scheme in Xcode.

1. Go to the Product menu and select Edit Scheme…
2. A new scheme should already have been created for your new target.
3. You can rename this scheme if you want, but it’s not necessary.

Switching Between Schemes

To switch between building the free version or the paid version, simply change the active scheme in Xcode.

1. Go to the Product menu and select Switch to Scheme…
2. Select the scheme you want to use from the dropdown list.
3. Your app will now be built and compiled according to the settings for this scheme.

Caveats

While building a free version of your app without duplicating the Xcode 4 project can save you a lot of time and effort, there are some caveats to consider:

• You’ll need to keep the settings for your new target up to date. If you forget to update the build configuration or make changes to the code, you may end up with an inconsistent product.
• Some features in Xcode, such as auto-incrementing build numbers, will not work correctly if you’re building a free version from a paid one.

Conclusion

Building a free version of your app without duplicating the Xcode 4 project is a great way to save time and effort while still offering users different versions of your product. By using targets and conditional compilation instructions, you can create separate build configurations for your app that can be used to compile and package your app.

Remember to keep your settings up to date and watch out for any caveats when working with Xcode targets and schemes. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be building free versions of your apps in no time!

Last modified on 2024-05-05