# iOS Test App Setup Guide

**Author**: Matthew Raymer  
**Date**: 2025-11-12  
**Status**: Active

## Overview

This guide explains how to set up the standalone iOS test app for the DailyNotification plugin. The iOS test app mirrors the Android test app (`android-test-app`) functionality and provides a comprehensive testing environment for all plugin features.

## Prerequisites

- macOS with Xcode 15.0 or later
- CocoaPods installed (`gem install cocoapods` or via rbenv)
- Node.js 18+ (for Capacitor CLI)
- iOS 13.0+ deployment target
- Ruby 3.1+ (for CocoaPods)

## Quick Start

### Option 1: Use Existing Structure (Recommended)

If `ios/App` already exists, copy it:

```bash
# From project root
cd test-apps/ios-test-app
cp -r ../../ios/App ./App
cd App
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
~/.rbenv/shims/pod install  # or: pod install if in PATH
```

Then update configuration files (see Configuration section below).

### Option 2: Generate with Capacitor CLI

```bash
cd test-apps/ios-test-app
npx @capacitor/create-app@latest App --template blank
```

Then follow the configuration steps below.

## Configuration

### Step 1: Podfile Configuration

Edit `App/Podfile`:

```ruby
platform :ios, '13.0'
use_frameworks!

source 'https://cdn.cocoapods.org/'

def capacitor_pods
  pod 'Capacitor', :path => '../../../node_modules/@capacitor/ios'
  pod 'CapacitorCordova', :path => '../../../node_modules/@capacitor/ios'
  pod 'DailyNotificationPlugin', :path => '../../../ios'
end

target 'App' do
  capacitor_pods
end
```

### Step 2: Install CocoaPods Dependencies

```bash
cd test-apps/ios-test-app/App
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8  # Required for CocoaPods
~/.rbenv/shims/pod install  # or: pod install if in PATH
```

**Note**: If `pod` command is not found, use the full path: `~/.rbenv/shims/pod` or ensure CocoaPods is in your PATH.

### Step 3: Capacitor Configuration

Edit `App/App/capacitor.config.json`:

```json
{
  "appId": "com.timesafari.dailynotification",
  "appName": "DailyNotification Test App",
  "webDir": "public",
  "server": {
    "iosScheme": "capacitor"
  },
  "plugins": {
    "DailyNotification": {
      "fetchUrl": "https://api.example.com/daily-content",
      "scheduleTime": "09:00",
      "enableNotifications": true,
      "debugMode": true
    }
  }
}
```

### Step 4: Info.plist Configuration

Edit `App/App/Info.plist` to include required permissions and background modes:

```xml
<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
<array>
    <string>background-fetch</string>
    <string>background-processing</string>
    <string>remote-notification</string>
</array>

<key>BGTaskSchedulerPermittedIdentifiers</key>
<array>
    <string>com.timesafari.dailynotification.fetch</string>
    <string>com.timesafari.dailynotification.notify</string>
</array>

<key>NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app uses notifications to deliver daily updates and reminders.</string>
```

**Key iOS Permissions** (equivalent to Android):
- **Notifications**: `NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription` (like Android's `POST_NOTIFICATIONS`)
- **Background Fetch**: `UIBackgroundModes` with `background-fetch` (like Android's WorkManager)
- **Background Processing**: `UIBackgroundModes` with `background-processing`
- **Exact Alarms**: Always supported on iOS via `UNUserNotificationCenter` (no permission needed)

### Step 5: Copy Test Interface

Copy the test HTML from Android test app:

```bash
# From project root
cp test-apps/android-test-app/app/src/main/assets/public/index.html \
   test-apps/ios-test-app/App/App/public/index.html
```

The test interface provides:
- Plugin availability testing
- Configuration management
- Status checking
- Notification scheduling
- Permission management
- Channel/notification settings (iOS: app-level)
- Comprehensive status checks

## Build and Run

### Using Xcode (Recommended for Development)

```bash
cd test-apps/ios-test-app/App
open App.xcworkspace
# Then build and run in Xcode (⌘R)
```

**Important**: Always open the `.xcworkspace` file, not the `.xcodeproj` file, when using CocoaPods.

### Using Command Line

```bash
cd test-apps/ios-test-app/App
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8

# List available simulators
xcrun simctl list devices available | grep -i iphone

# Build for simulator
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace \
    -scheme App \
    -configuration Debug \
    -sdk iphonesimulator \
    -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 17 Pro' \
    clean build

# Build and run on simulator
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace \
    -scheme App \
    -configuration Debug \
    -sdk iphonesimulator \
    -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 17 Pro' \
    build \
    && xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 17 Pro" 2>/dev/null || true \
    && xcrun simctl install booted "$(xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App -configuration Debug -sdk iphonesimulator -showBuildSettings | grep -m 1 "BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR" | sed 's/.*= *//')/App.app" \
    && xcrun simctl launch booted com.timesafari.dailynotification
```

### Using Build Script

```bash
cd test-apps/ios-test-app
./scripts/build-and-deploy.sh
```

## Plugin Registration

The plugin is automatically registered via Capacitor when included in `Podfile`. No manual registration needed in:
- `AppDelegate.swift` (Android equivalent: `PluginApplication.java`)
- `ViewController.swift` (Android equivalent: `MainActivity.java`)

Capacitor automatically discovers and registers plugins from CocoaPods.

## Test Interface Features

The test interface (`App/App/public/index.html`) provides comprehensive testing for:

### Basic Plugin Tests
- **Test Plugin**: Verify plugin is loaded and accessible
- **Configure Plugin**: Set plugin configuration
- **Check Status**: Get current plugin status

### Notification Tests
- **Test Notification**: Send immediate test notification
- **Schedule Notification**: Schedule daily notification
- **Show Reminder**: Display reminder notification

### Permission Management
- **Check Permissions**: Check notification authorization status
- **Request Permissions**: Request notification permissions
- **Exact Alarm Settings**: Open notification settings (iOS: app-level settings)

### Channel Management (iOS: App-Level)
- **Check Channel Status**: Check if notifications are enabled
- **Open Channel Settings**: Open app notification settings
- **Comprehensive Status**: Get full status including permissions, schedules, and battery

## iOS-Specific Considerations

### Background Execution

iOS handles background execution differently than Android:

- **Background Fetch**: Uses `BGTaskScheduler` (similar to Android's WorkManager)
- **Background Processing**: Limited time budget (typically 30 seconds)
- **Background App Refresh**: User-controlled system setting (cannot be checked programmatically)

### Notification Scheduling

- **UNUserNotificationCenter**: Always supports exact alarms (no permission needed)
- **Daily Repeats**: Use `UNCalendarNotificationTrigger` with `repeats: true`
- **Background Tasks**: Use `BGAppRefreshTask` for prefetch operations

### Permissions

- **Notifications**: Single app-level permission (no channels like Android)
- **Exact Alarms**: Always supported, no permission needed
- **Battery Optimization**: Not applicable (Background App Refresh is system setting)

### Storage

- **UserDefaults**: For schedules and configuration (like Android's SharedPreferences)
- **Core Data**: For content cache and history (like Android's Room database)

## Code Signing

### Simulator Builds (Default)

**No signing required** - The build scripts automatically disable signing for simulator builds:

```bash
CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY=""
CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO
CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO
```

This is handled automatically by the build scripts.

### Device Builds

**For physical devices, you need proper signing:**

1. **Open project in Xcode:**
   ```bash
   cd test-apps/ios-test-app/App
   open App.xcworkspace
   ```

2. **Configure signing:**
   - Select project in navigator
   - Select target "App"
   - Go to "Signing & Capabilities" tab
   - Check "Automatically manage signing"
   - Select your Team (Apple Developer account)

3. **Build for device:**
   ```bash
   xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace \
       -scheme App \
       -sdk iphoneos \
       -configuration Debug \
       -destination 'generic/platform=iOS' \
       CODE_SIGN_STYLE=Automatic \
       DEVELOPMENT_TEAM="YOUR_TEAM_ID" \
       clean build
   ```

**See `docs/IOS_CODE_SIGNING.md` for complete signing guide.**

## Troubleshooting

### Plugin Not Found

1. **Ensure plugin is built**:
   ```bash
   cd ../../ios
   export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   xcodebuild -workspace DailyNotificationPlugin.xcworkspace \
       -scheme DailyNotificationPlugin \
       -sdk iphonesimulator \
       -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
       GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE=YES \
       clean build
   ```

2. **Verify Podfile includes plugin**:
   ```bash
   grep DailyNotificationPlugin test-apps/ios-test-app/App/Podfile
   ```

3. **Check plugin registration**:
   ```bash
   # Plugin should be in Pods project
   ls -la test-apps/ios-test-app/App/Pods/Local\ Podspecs/
   ```

### CocoaPods Issues

1. **Encoding errors**:
   ```bash
   export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   ~/.rbenv/shims/pod install
   ```

2. **Clean reinstall**:
   ```bash
   cd test-apps/ios-test-app/App
   pod deintegrate
   rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock
   pod install
   ```

3. **Ruby version issues**:
   ```bash
   # Ensure Ruby 3.1+ is available
   ruby --version
   # Use rbenv if needed
   rbenv install 3.1.0
   rbenv local 3.1.0
   ```

### Build Errors

1. **Clean build folder**:
   ```bash
   # In Xcode: Product > Clean Build Folder (⌘⇧K)
   # Or command line:
   xcodebuild clean -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App
   ```

2. **Delete derived data**:
   ```bash
   rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
   ```

3. **Reset CocoaPods cache**:
   ```bash
   pod cache clean --all
   pod install
   ```

4. **Info.plist errors**:
   - Ensure `GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE=YES` is set for framework targets
   - Verify all required keys are present in `Info.plist`

### Runtime Issues

1. **Notifications not appearing**:
   - Check notification permissions in iOS Settings
   - Verify Background App Refresh is enabled
   - Check console logs for errors

2. **Background tasks not running**:
   - Background App Refresh must be enabled in iOS Settings
   - Tasks have limited execution time (typically 30 seconds)
   - System may delay or skip tasks based on usage patterns

3. **Plugin methods not found**:
   - Verify plugin is built and included in Pods
   - Check Capacitor bridge is initialized
   - Review console logs for registration errors

## Project Structure

```
test-apps/ios-test-app/
├── App/
│   ├── App/
│   │   ├── AppDelegate.swift          # App lifecycle (Android: PluginApplication.java)
│   │   ├── ViewController.swift       # Main view (Android: MainActivity.java)
│   │   ├── SceneDelegate.swift       # Scene lifecycle (iOS 13+)
│   │   ├── Info.plist                 # Permissions & config (Android: AndroidManifest.xml)
│   │   ├── capacitor.config.json      # Capacitor config
│   │   └── public/
│   │       └── index.html              # Test interface
│   ├── App.xcworkspace                # Workspace (includes Pods)
│   ├── Podfile                        # CocoaPods dependencies
│   └── Podfile.lock                   # Locked versions
├── scripts/
│   └── build-and-deploy.sh            # Build automation
├── README.md                          # Overview
└── SETUP.md                           # This file
```

## Dependencies

The iOS test app requires:

- **Capacitor**: Core framework
- **CapacitorCordova**: Cordova compatibility
- **DailyNotificationPlugin**: The plugin being tested

Additional iOS dependencies (managed by plugin):
- **UserNotifications**: Notification scheduling
- **BackgroundTasks**: Background execution
- **CoreData**: Persistent storage

## Comparison with Android Test App

| Feature | Android | iOS |
|---------|---------|-----|
| **App Entry** | `MainActivity.java` | `ViewController.swift` |
| **Lifecycle** | `PluginApplication.java` | `AppDelegate.swift` |
| **Manifest** | `AndroidManifest.xml` | `Info.plist` |
| **Build System** | Gradle | Xcode + CocoaPods |
| **Dependencies** | `build.gradle` | `Podfile` |
| **Permissions** | Runtime + Manifest | Info.plist + Runtime |
| **Background** | WorkManager | BGTaskScheduler |
| **Notifications** | NotificationManager | UNUserNotificationCenter |
| **Storage** | Room + SharedPreferences | Core Data + UserDefaults |
| **Channels** | Multiple channels | App-level only |

## Next Steps

1. **Build plugin**:
   ```bash
   cd ../../ios
   ./scripts/build-native.sh --platform ios
   ```

2. **Set up test app**:
   ```bash
   cd test-apps/ios-test-app
   # Follow Quick Start section above
   ```

3. **Install dependencies**:
   ```bash
   cd App
   export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   ~/.rbenv/shims/pod install
   ```

4. **Build and run**:
   ```bash
   open App.xcworkspace
   # Build and run in Xcode
   ```

5. **Test functionality**:
   - Use test interface to verify all plugin methods
   - Test notification scheduling
   - Verify permissions work correctly
   - Test background tasks (requires Background App Refresh enabled)

## Additional Resources

- [iOS Plugin Implementation Guide](../../docs/IOS_IMPLEMENTATION_COMPLETE.md)
- [iOS Build Quick Reference](../../docs/IOS_BUILD_QUICK_REFERENCE.md)
- [CocoaPods Installation Guide](../../docs/COCOAPODS_INSTALLATION.md)
- [iOS Setup Requirements](../../docs/IOS_SETUP_REQUIREMENTS.md)
- [Android Test App](../../android-test-app/) - For comparison

## Support

For issues or questions:
1. Check troubleshooting section above
2. Review iOS plugin documentation
3. Compare with Android test app implementation
4. Check Xcode console logs for detailed errors