Installing Xcode and Apple certificates

Important

Xcode and Apple Certificates are needed only if you plan to build iOS apps and/or distribute macOS apps through the Mac App Store.

Because Apple only provides some necessary iOS OS development components as part of Xcode, you will have to install Xcode in order for Xojo to be able to run and build iOS apps. You will not have to use Xcode to do any development.

You will also need Xcode installed if you wish to codesign your macOS apps in order to make them available in the Mac App Store.

These are the parts of Xcode that are used by Xojo:

  • Xcode Preferences are used to install iOS and macOS certificates on your Mac.

  • Xcode Devices and Simulators window is used to transfer your Xojo-build iOS apps to devices for testing.

  • Xcode iOS Simulator is used to run Xojo iOS apps in the debugger. Note that Xojo will start the iOS Simulator for you automatically.

Download and install Xcode

You can download and install Xcode from the Mac App Store.

After installing Xcode you'll need to run it so that it installs necessary iOS development components that are used for building.

Note

In some cases you may also need to go to the Xcode Preferences, select the Locations tab and choose the latest version of Xcode for the Command Line Tools setting.

Installing Apple certificates

You will need an Apple Development certificate to be able to build iOS apps.

You will need an Apple Distribution certificate to be able to distribute iOS and/or macOS apps via Apple's App Stores.

Important

If you have not already done so, you will need to create an Apple Developer account before you will be able to create an install the appropriate certificates.

Once you have Xcode installed, you will need to use it to create and download your Apple certificates.

To install these certificates:

  1. Launch Xcode.

  2. Select Xcode > Preferences.

  3. Click on Accounts in the Preferences window toolbar.

  4. Click the + button in the lower-left corner of the window to add your Apple Developer account.

  5. In the dialog that appears, choose Apple ID and click Continue.

  6. In the dialog that appears, enter your Apple ID and password then click Next. Your Apple Development account will appear in the list.

  7. Click Manage Certicates. A dialog appears showing any certificates you already have installed. If you've never done this before, that list will be empty.

  8. Click the + button in the lower-left corner and choose Apple Development to create an Apple Development certificate. The certificate then appears in the list.

  9. Click the + button again but this time choose Apple Distribution to create an Apple Distribution certificate. The certificate appears in the list.

  10. Click Done.

Whew! You're done. Apple certificates tend to last a year. You will only have to repeat these steps (without having to add your account again of course) when a certifcate expires.