godot-docs/tutorials/export/exporting_for_ios.rst

.. _doc_exporting_for_ios:

Exporting for iOS
=================

.. seealso::

    This page describes how to export a Godot project to iOS.
    If you're looking to compile export template binaries from source instead,
    read :ref:`doc_compiling_for_ios`.

These are the steps to load a Godot project in Xcode. This allows you to
build and deploy to an iOS device, build a release for the App Store, and
do everything else you can normally do with Xcode.

.. attention::

    Projects written in C# using Godot 4 currently cannot be exported to iOS.
    To use C# on iOS, use Godot 3 instead.

Requirements
------------

-  You must export for iOS from a computer running macOS with Xcode installed.
-  Download the Godot export templates. Use the Godot menu: Editor > Manage Export Templates

Export a Godot project to Xcode
-------------------------------

In the Godot editor, open the **Export** window from the **Project** menu. When the
Export window opens, click **Add..** and select **iOS**.

The **App Store Team ID** and (Bundle) **Identifier** options in the **Application** category
are required. Leaving them blank will cause the exporter to throw an error.

.. note:: | If you encounter an error during export similar to
          | ``JSON text did not start with array or object and option to allow fragments not set``
          | then it might be due to a malformated **App Store Team ID**!
          | The exporter expects a (10 characters long) code like ``ABCDE12XYZ`` and not, e.g., your name as Xcode likes to display in the *Signing & Capabilities* tab.
          | You can find the code over at `developer.apple.com <https://developer.apple.com/account/resources/certificates/list>`_ next to your name in the top right corner.

After you click **Export Project**, there are still two important options left:

  * **Path** is an empty folder that will contain the exported Xcode project files.
  * **File** will be the name of the Xcode project and several project specific files and directories.

.. image:: img/ios_export_file.png

.. note:: This tutorial uses **exported_xcode_project_name**, but you will use your
          project's name. When you see **exported_xcode_project_name**
          in the following steps, replace it with the name you used instead.

.. note:: Avoid using spaces when you choose your **exported_xcode_project_name** as
          this can lead to corruption in your XCode project file.

When the export completes, the output folder should look like this:

.. image:: img/ios_export_output.png

Opening **exported_xcode_project_name.xcodeproj** lets you build and deploy
like any other iOS app.

Active development considerations
---------------------------------

The above method creates an exported project that you can build for
release, but you have to re-export every time you make a change in Godot.

While developing, you can speed this process up by linking your
Godot project files directly into your app.

In the following example:

  * **exported_xcode_project_name** is the name of the exported iOS application (as above).
  * **godot_project_to_export** is the name of the Godot project.

.. note:: **godot_project_to_export** must not be the same as **exported_xcode_project_name**
          to prevent signing issues in Xcode.

Steps to link a Godot project folder to Xcode
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Start from an exported iOS project (follow the steps above).
2. In Finder, drag the Godot project folder into the Xcode file browser.

.. image:: img/ios_export_add_dir.png

3. In the dialog, make sure **Create folder references** is selected. This means
you will be able to continue to edit your Godot project in its current location.

.. image:: img/ios_export_file_ref.png

4. See the **godot_project_to_export** folder in the Xcode file browser.
5. Delete **exported_xcode_project_name.pck** from the Xcode project.

.. image:: img/ios_export_delete_pck.png

6. Open **exported_xcode_project_name-Info.plist** and add a string property named
**godot_path** (this is the real key name) with a value **godot_project_to_export**
(this is the name of your project)

.. image:: img/ios_export_set_path.png

That's it! You can now edit your project in the Godot editor and build it
in Xcode when you want to run it on a device.

Plugins for iOS
---------------

Special iOS plugins can be used in Godot. Check out the
:ref:`doc_plugins_for_ios` page.

Environment variables
---------------------

You can use the following environment variables to set export options outside of
the editor. During the export process, these override the values that you set in
the export menu.

.. list-table:: iOS export environment variables
   :header-rows: 1

   * - Export option
     - Environment variable
   * - Encryption / Encryption Key
     - GODOT_SCRIPT_ENCRYPTION_KEY
   * - Options / Application / Provisioning Profile UUID Debug
     - GODOT_IOS_PROVISIONING_PROFILE_UUID_DEBUG
   * - Options / Application / Provisioning Profile UUID Release
     - GODOT_IOS_PROVISIONING_PROFILE_UUID_RELEASE