Getting Started with iOS
This guide describes how to set up your development environment for Apache Cordova and run a sample Apache Cordova application.
Requirements
- Xcode 4.x
- Intel-based computer with Mac OS X Lion or greater (10.7+)
- Necessary for installing on device:
- Apple iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
- iOS developer certificate
Install the iOS SDK and Apache Cordova
- Install Xcode from the Mac App Store
- Download the latest release of Apache Cordova
- extract its contents
- Apache Cordova iOS is found under
lib/ios
Setup New Project
-
Copy the bin folder (either from the source, or from the .dmg) to a location on your hard drive
Launch Terminal.app
- Drag the copied bin folder to the Terminal.app icon in your Dock, it should launch a new Terminal window
-
Type in
./create <project_folder_path> <bundle_id> <project_name>
then press "Enter"<project_folder_path> is the path to your new Cordova iOS project (it must be empty if it exists) <package_name> is the package name, following reverse-domain style convention <project_name> is the project name
Locate your new project folder that you just created
- Launch the .xcodeproj file in the folder
Hello World
- Select the folder named
www
in the Xcode Project Navigator - Select the file
index.html
-
Add the following after
<body>
:<h1>Hello World</h1>
You can also add any associated JavaScript and CSS files there as well.
Deploy to Simulator
- Change the Target in the Scheme drop-down menu on the toolbar to "HelloWorld" (your project name)
- Change the Active SDK in the Scheme drop-down menu on the toolbar to iOS [version] Simulator
- Select the Run button in your project window's toolbar
Deploy to Device
- Open
HelloWorld-Info.plist
, under the Supporting Files group - Change BundleIdentifier to the identifier provided by Apple or your own bundle identifier
- If you have a developer license, you can run the Assistant to register your app
- Change the Active SDK in the Scheme drop-down menu on the toolbar to [Your Device Name]
- You will need to have your device connected via USB
-
Select the Run button in your project window's toolbar
Build Your App
You now have an Xcode project setup and you can build and run on the Simulator and device.
It is important to understand that you do not need to use Xcode to write your web application.
You can use your favourite text editor and simply rebuild your project using Xcode, or the command-line tools in your project folder (under the cordova sub-folder)
Xcode will automatically detect the files that are changed in www
.