How to compile an iOS application in Qt?

vladstelmahovsky · wrote on 20 May 2019, 07:40

@Mikeeeeee run Qt Maintenance tool and check if Qt for iOS is installed

Mikeeeeee · wrote on 20 May 2019, 08:33

Qt for iOS is installed

Laszlo LG · wrote on 20 May 2019, 09:12

You cross compile on the MacOS for the iOS.

connect your iOS device with USB cable to the MacOS
let Xcode to recognise it, start with an Xcode example and run on your iOS device
in QtCreator click to Projects then ensure that Qt .... for iOS2 kit is available
in QtCreator choose the "Qt .... for iOS2 kit" target by clicking to the icon above the green triangle
in QtCreator click to the run icon (green triangle) to start the application on your mobile device

If QtCreator can't upload the app to the iOS device then from the build folder of QtCreator open the compiled project (folder with .xcodeproj extension) from Xcode and run the app from Xcode.

I hope it helps, ask if anything needs clarification.
Distribution of the app to the appStore is a different story.

Mikeeeeee · wrote on 20 May 2019, 10:21

Projects has only Desktop Clang 64 bit

Mikeeeeee · 20 May 2019, 10:55

Can I build without an iOS device?

Laszlo LG · wrote on 20 May 2019, 10:55

Yes, build should work without running on the device after selecting the kit as SGaist wrote. In the QtCreator's Projects view on the top there is a button "Manage Kits..." , use this to add one for iOS.

Mikeeeeee · 20 May 2019, 12:00

I tried setting up a new set for iOS. Got an error : Could not resolve SDK Path for "iphone os" using --show-sdk-path. How to configure the compilation set correctly?

Laszlo LG · wrote on 20 May 2019, 12:00

When I open the "Manage Kits..." window it shows several sub menus starting with Kits, Environments,.....

The Devices tab allows to set the Android SDK and it has a download link as well. I think the iOS build on macOS does not need the Android SDK so I guess if you stay on the Kits tab and add a new kit then the Sysroot setting contains the sdk. For me it is set to:
/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/Developer/SDKs/iPhoneOS.sdk

Then in the projects configurator click to the newly created kit to add it to your project. Then Build / "Open Build and Run Kit selector" menu should offer it as a target.

Mikeeeeee · 21 May 2019, 07:00

I do not understand.
Am I using the right compiler?
"/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/Developer/SDKs/iPhoneOS.sdk" is the path to the debugger?

SGaist · wrote on 20 May 2019, 21:02

If you used the online installer to install both versions of Qt, then Qt Creator should already be configured for all the Qt versions you installed.

Wasn't that the case ?

Laszlo LG · wrote on 21 May 2019, 07:00

plug your iOS device first then click to manage kits
устройство: select the plugged in device
The next field is the sysroot.

The compiler should fit to your device, for me it is Apple Clang (arm64).

Again as SGaist suggested, the easiest config happens with update/install. From QtCreator you can use the QtCreator/"Check for updates" menu then select the first option from (Add or update components, Update components, Remove all components) and ensure that under the tree of Qt version the iOS is selected. You already confirmed its installation so in the kit selection you should not add a new one, just select the qt version for iOS "Qt 5.12.2 for iOS2".
Using QtCreator's "Projects" icon you should see all the available kits with light grey colour. Click to the name of the kit "Qt 5.12.2 for iOS2" to associate with your project then select as build target.

Mikeeeeee · wrote on 21 May 2019, 08:25

I don't have an Apple Clang compiler. I used the online setup. When installing online, I did not have the configuration automatically. And it seems that some compilers for some reason have not been installed. It seems that I do not have compilers for iOS. How can this be fixed?

Mikeeeeee · 21 May 2019, 10:19

I have only these compilers:

jsulm · wrote on 21 May 2019, 10:19

@Mikeeeeee Can you show the list of your Kits?

Mikeeeeee · 21 May 2019, 12:11

jsulm · wrote on 21 May 2019, 12:11

@Mikeeeeee For some reason your iOS Qt Kit wasn't autodetected.
I'm not a Mac expert, but maybe you should try to create and build a default iOS app in XCode to see whether everything needed for iOS apps is installed?

J.Hilk · wrote on 21 May 2019, 12:16

@Mikeeeeee
you're definitely using the wrong compiler there.
AFAIK, there is no x86 compiler for iOS (accept for the iOS simulator)

Mikeeeeee · 22 May 2019, 06:38

Xcode creates projects and runs them in the simulator. How do I connect Apple Clang compiler and simulator from Xcode?

SGaist · wrote on 21 May 2019, 20:53

Can you show the compilers and Qt versions tab content.

Laszlo LG · wrote on 22 May 2019, 06:38

I guess you can do this by selecting the device in Xcode - after connecting with USB. I think you haven't installed the iOS component of Qt properly. You can try to delete/reinstall Qt. Close QtCreator then start Qt/MaintenanceTool.app/Contents/MacOS/MaintenanceTool
Use "Add or remove components" then on the screen where you can select the components to install just ensure that iOS is enabled (and also the Android versions you want to use).