Cloudify Your iOS App with CloudKit! A Practical Guide for Beginners

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Cloudify Your iOS App with CloudKit! A Practical Guide for Beginners

Want to Add CloudKit to Your iOS App?

Hello there! Whether you’re a novice engineer just starting with app development or a veteran who has already released multiple apps!
Today, we’re focusing on “Cloudifying your app with CloudKit!” and will explain in detail how to get started and the first steps to take.
Let’s make your cloud debut together!

What is CloudKit?

Simply put, it’s Apple’s official cloud storage service.

  • Easily store data on servers
  • Sync data across multiple devices
  • No server configuration needed

In other words, you don’t need to bother with complicated server setup! You can focus solely on what you want to accomplish.

Getting Started with CloudKit ~ Checklist ~

1Register for the Apple Developer Program

First, to actually use CloudKit, you need to register for the Apple Developer Program. https://developer.apple.com/programs/

Note

Registration costs $100 per year (approximately $100). You can create an account for free initially, but you’ll need a paid registration to publish apps and use CloudKit.

Once you’re registered, the rest of the preparations will go smoothly!

2Add Services to Your App ID

On the Developer site, create an App ID for your application and enable the “iCloud” service.

3Configure Xcode

  • Click on “+ Capability” in the “Signing & Capabilities” section of your Project
  • Add “iCloud”
  • Check “CloudKit”!

With this, your Xcode preparation is perfect.

Useful Information

If you want to learn more about how to use Xcode, please check out this beginner’s guide to Xcode! It explains everything step by step.

4Access the CloudKit Dashboard

https://icloud.developer.apple.com/dashboard/
Here, create a “Container” which will serve as the storage for your data.

5Design Your Data

Think about what kind of data you want to store, and decide on Record Types and Fields!

Code Example (Ready to Use)

let record = CKRecord(recordType: “Memo”)
record[“title”] = “Sample Memo” as CKRecordValue

let database = CKContainer.default().publicCloudDatabase
database.save(record) { savedRecord, error in
    if let error = error {
        print(“Save failed: \(error)”)
    } else {
        print(“Saved successfully!”)
    }
}

As you can see, you can store data with just a few lines of code. Amazing!

Personal Insights ~ Key Points ~

CloudKit is safer and easier than building your own server.
But one thing to note!

  • If you want to use data offline as well, consider implementing a caching mechanism
  • Make sure to provide proper error handling!

With thorough preparation, you can create your very own cloud app!

Source

Original material: Apple Developer Site

Media: Apple Inc.

Publication date: Continuously updated

Link: https://developer.apple.com/icloud/

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