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I'm trying to set-up xcode to allow me to build / publish 2 apps using the same code but with different app icons, assets and a different database.

if I have 2 apps using the same code:

  • app 1: fruit list (display a list of fruits)
  • app 2: Veggie list (display a list of Veggie)

For both apps I would have a unique bundle ID (of course), same code, but different images and database. How can I set-up Xcode to have 1 project and be able to select what app I want to build?

I seem to understand we have the option to use schemes, targets or build configuration but so far what I found was more confusing than anything else.

Any suggestion / help on this would be welcome! I sound like a mad solution to have multiple projects in this case and duplicating changes from one to the others.

Thank you.

Slamit
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    This is a good use case for creating the "core" code as a Framework that can be used/leveraged by any number of Projects or Targets. – BonanzaDriver Mar 22 '21 at 23:18
  • We usually creating libRuntime, libFoundation, libNetworking, libUI, libAssets, libApp etc. frameworks. Frameworks wired between each other via protocols or abstract classes. So, that each framework enough configurable. Concrete application consist with application-specific frameworks (e.g libAppOne, libAppTwo etc.), unique resources (e.g. libAppOneAssets, libAppTwoAssets) and file main.swift/App.swift/AppDelegate.swift which wires needed frameworks. To generate Xcode project for concrete application we are using XcodeGen tool https://github.com/yonaskolb/XcodeGen. – Vlad Mar 23 '21 at 00:11

2 Answers2

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Option 1:

The simplest way is to have one project and add multiple "app" targets to it. You'd need to make sure that each target had the correct source files added to it (plenty of info on SO about how to do this including: Xcode easily add multiple files to a target).

Each target could have an individual bundle ID as you mention, but you could choose which source files/images/etc to add to each one. You could also set up separate build flags, environment variables, etc in the "Build Settings" for each target.

You'd use the target menu in the toolbar of Xcode (above the source file tabs) to select which target you want to build and run.

Option 2:

Another option (or really, a variation on option 1) is to have 2 app targets in the same project (same as option 1) and also make a 3rd target, which would be a framework. That framework could encapsulate some of the shared code between the apps. For example, in an app of mine, I have an audio engine that is shared between the iOS and macOS versions of the app. The source files to that framework only belong to one target (the framework) and then the framework is added as a dependency of both app targets.

jnpdx
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  • Thank you for this answer Jnpdx, it sound like what I need indeed. Thelink you gave me helps but the guys speak about already having the target set-up. One of the issue I face is that I can't seem to find how to create/replace the targets that are created by default: project, projectTest and projectUITest. – Slamit Mar 23 '21 at 10:29
  • You don’t necessarily have to replace those. “Project” could be one of the apps I mention above. Then, add another target and share source between them. – jnpdx Mar 23 '21 at 12:58
  • I must miss something very simple, I get stuck trying to find how / where to add a target in Xcode. – Slamit Mar 23 '21 at 13:41
  • It’s not in front of me right now, but I believe it’s just File menu -> new -> target – jnpdx Mar 23 '21 at 13:50
  • That was indeed much easier where I was searching, thank you for this! – Slamit Mar 23 '21 at 13:53
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You are describing a project with two app targets. When you build / run, just switch the scheme popup at the top of the window to the one you want.

enter image description here

To share code between apps, just add a file to both app targets.

enter image description here

matt
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  • Thank you for this answer Matt, You speak about scheme and target, I'm not sure what is the difference. I have 3 default target but I don't understand how to change/replace them! – Slamit Mar 23 '21 at 10:27