Hardware Requirements

Software Requirements

Apple Developer Account

• Apple ID: Required for Xcode and App Store distribution
• Developer Program: Annual subscription ($99/year) for app distribution
• Provisioning Profiles: For code signing and device testing
• Certificates: Development and distribution certificates

1Install Homebrew (Package Manager)

Homebrew is the package manager for macOS. Open Terminal and run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

brew --version
# Should display Homebrew version

2Install Flutter on macOS

Download and install the Flutter SDK:

# Download Flutter SDK
cd ~/development
git clone https://github.com/flutter/flutter.git -b stable

# Add Flutter to your PATH
echo 'export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/development/flutter/bin"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

# Verify installation
flutter doctor

Video Tutorial

3Install CocoaPods

CocoaPods manages iOS dependencies for Flutter projects:

sudo gem install cocoapods
pod setup

sudo gem install cocoapods -n /usr/local/bin

sudo arch -x86_64 gem install ffi
sudo gem install cocoapods

1Install Xcode

Xcode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) for iOS development.

Installation Options:

• Mac App Store: Search for "Xcode" and click "Get" (Recommended)
• Apple Developer: Download from developer.apple.com

Video Tutorial

2Install Xcode Command Line Tools

Install essential command-line tools for development:

xcode-select --install

Verify the installation:

xcode-select -p
# Should return: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

3Accept Xcode License Agreement

You must accept the license before using Xcode:

sudo xcodebuild -license accept

4Configure Xcode & Install Simulators

1. Launch Xcode from Applications
2. Go to Xcode → Settings → Platforms
3. Install the latest iOS simulator
4. Install additional required components when prompted

1Download and Extract the Project

Download the PaySuite Flutter project and extract it to your development directory:

cd ~/development
unzip paysuite-ios.zip
cd paysuite-ios

2Open Project in IDE

Choose your preferred development environment:

3Configure API Endpoints

Connect your mobile app to your REST API by updating the base URL:

class AppConstants {
  static const String baseUrl = "https://your-api-domain.com/api/";
  // Update with your actual API endpoint
}

1Configure iOS Deployment Target

Set the minimum iOS version your app supports:

platform :ios, '14.0'
# Minimum iOS version supported

2Update Info.plist with Permissions

Configure required permissions for your app features:

<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>Need photo library access to upload images</string>

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Need camera access to take photos</string>

<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>Need microphone access for audio features</string>

<key>UIViewControllerBasedStatusBarAppearance</key>
<false/>

3Configure App Capabilities

Enable required capabilities in Xcode:

1. Open ios/Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode
2. Select the Runner project
3. Select the Runner target
4. Click Signing & Capabilities tab
5. Click + Capability to add:

• Background Modes (for background tasks)
• Push Notifications (for push messages)
• In-App Purchase (if selling products/subscriptions)
• Associated Domains (for universal links)

1Prepare App Icons

Generate all required icon sizes using one of these methods:

Online Tools (Recommended):

• AppIcon.co - Free, comprehensive icon generator
• Canva - Design and generate icons
• MakeAppIcon - Quick icon generation

Design Guidelines:

• Base Size: Start with 512×512 px image
• Format: PNG with no transparency
• Color Space: sRGB or Display P3
• Shape: Square (iOS applies rounded corners automatically)
• Content: Avoid text (use simple, recognizable imagery)

2Required Icon Sizes

iOS requires these specific icon sizes:

3Replace App Icons in Xcode

Add your generated icons to the project:

1. Navigate to ios/Runner/Assets.xcassets/AppIcon.appiconset
2. Open this folder in Finder
3. Replace all icon files with your generated icons
4. Or use Xcode: Open Runner.xcworkspace → Assets.xcassets → AppIcon → Drag & drop icons

1Change Bundle Identifier

Update your app's unique identifier in Xcode:

1. Open ios/Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode
2. Select Runner in the Project Navigator
3. Select the Runner target (not the project)
4. Go to the General tab
5. Update Bundle Identifier field

2Configure Code Signing

Set up code signing to run on devices and distribute to the App Store:

Automatic Signing (Recommended for Beginners):

1. In Xcode, go to Signing & Capabilities tab
2. Check "Automatically manage signing"
3. Select your Team from dropdown
4. Xcode will automatically generate provisioning profiles

3Update Display Name

Change the name that appears under your app icon:

<key>CFBundleDisplayName</key>
<string>PaySuite</string>

Character Limit: Keep it under 12 characters for best display on all devices.

1Install Flutter Dependencies

Clean and fetch all Flutter packages:

2Install CocoaPods Dependencies

Navigate to the iOS directory and install native dependencies:

cd ios
pod deintegrate
pod cache clean --all
pod install

# Update CocoaPods
sudo gem install cocoapods

# Clear all caches
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/CocoaPods
rm -rf Pods
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/*
rm Podfile.lock

# Try again
pod install --repo-update

3Verify Installation

Check that everything is properly configured:

Look for checkmarks (✓) next to:

• Flutter (Channel stable)
• Xcode - develop for iOS and macOS
• VS Code or Android Studio (your IDE)
• Connected device

1List Available Devices

See all available iOS simulators and connected devices:

Open an iOS simulator:

2Run on iOS Simulator

Launch your app on the simulator:

Or specify a specific simulator:

3Run on Physical iPhone/iPad

Test on a real device for accurate performance testing:

1. Connect Device: Plug iPhone/iPad via USB cable
2. Trust Computer: Unlock device and tap "Trust" when prompted
3. Keep Awake: Keep the device unlocked during installation
4. Select in Xcode: Choose your device from the device list
5. Run: Execute flutter run -d "Your iPhone Name"

4Development Features

Use these keyboard shortcuts while running your app:

1Build Release Version

Create a release build of your iOS app:

2Open Project in Xcode

Open the workspace file (not the project file):

3Configure Archive Settings

Prepare your project for archiving:

1. In Xcode, select Runner project in navigator
2. Select Runner target
3. Go to Build Settings tab
4. Search for "iOS Deployment Target"
5. Ensure it matches your minimum version (e.g., 14.0)

4Create Archive

Archive your app for distribution:

1. In Xcode, select Any iOS Device (arm64) or Generic iOS Device as build target
2. Go to menu: Product → Archive
3. Wait for the archive process to complete (5-10 minutes)
4. The Organizer window will open automatically when done

5Validate Archive

Check for issues before uploading to App Store:

1. In Organizer window, select your latest archive
2. Click "Validate App" button
3. Select your distribution certificate and provisioning profile
4. Click "Validate" and wait for results
5. Fix any errors or warnings before proceeding

1Prepare App Store Assets

Gather all required materials before creating your app listing:

2Create App Record in App Store Connect

Register your app in the App Store:

1. Visit App Store Connect
2. Sign in with your Apple Developer account
3. Click "My Apps"
4. Click the "+" button → "New App"
5. Fill in the app information:

3Upload Build to App Store Connect

Submit your validated archive:

1. In Xcode Organizer, select your validated archive
2. Click "Distribute App"
3. Select "App Store Connect"
4. Choose "Upload"
5. Select your distribution certificate and provisioning profile
6. Review the app information
7. Click "Upload"
8. Wait for upload to complete (can take 10-30 minutes)

4Complete App Information

Fill in all required sections in App Store Connect:

App Information:

• Category (Primary & Secondary)
• Content Rights
• Age Rating (complete questionnaire)

Pricing and Availability:

• Price (Free or Paid)
• Availability date
• Territories (where app is available)

App Privacy:

• Privacy Policy URL
• Data collection and usage details
• Third-party data sharing information

App Store Listing:

• Name and subtitle
• Description and promotional text
• Keywords
• Screenshots for all device sizes
• App preview videos (optional)
• Support URL and marketing URL

5Submit for Review

Final steps before submission:

1. Navigate to your app in App Store Connect
2. Go to the "App Store" tab
3. Click "+ Version or Platform" → "iOS"
4. Select your uploaded build
5. Complete all required fields marked with red asterisks
6. Review all information for accuracy
7. Click "Submit for Review"

6TestFlight Beta Testing (Optional)

Test your app with users before public release:

1. In App Store Connect, go to "TestFlight" tab
2. Select your build
3. Internal Testing: Add up to 100 team members
4. External Testing: Add up to 10,000 external testers
5. Submit for Beta App Review (required for external testing)
6. Share public link or invite testers via email
7. Collect feedback and iterate

CocoaPods Installation Issues

If pod install fails:

# Reinstall CocoaPods with correct path
sudo gem install cocoapods -n /usr/local/bin

# Update pod repository
pod repo update

# Clean and reinstall
rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock
pod install

# For Apple Silicon Macs
sudo arch -x86_64 gem install ffi
sudo gem install cocoapods

Code Signing Errors

Resolve common signing issues:

# Clean derived data
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData

# Reset provisioning profiles
rm -rf ~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning\ Profiles

# In Xcode: Product → Clean Build Folder
# Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Cmd + K

# Re-download provisioning profiles
# Xcode → Settings → Accounts → Download Manual Profiles

Flutter iOS Build Issues

Fix build problems:

# Complete clean
flutter clean
rm -rf ios/Pods ios/Podfile.lock ios/.symlinks
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/*

# Reinstall dependencies
cd ios
pod deintegrate
pod install
cd ..

# Update Flutter
flutter upgrade
flutter doctor -v

# Rebuild
flutter build ios --release

Simulator Issues

Reset and manage simulators:

# Shutdown all simulators
xcrun simctl shutdown all

# Erase all simulator data
xcrun simctl erase all

# List available simulators
xcrun simctl list devices

# Boot specific simulator
xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 15 Pro"

# Delete unavailable simulators
xcrun simctl delete unavailable

Memory and Performance Issues

Optimize Xcode performance:

# Increase Xcode memory for compilation
defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode IDEBuildOperationMaxNumberOfConcurrentCompileTasks `sysctl -n hw.ncpu`

# Clear Xcode caches
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.dt.Xcode
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData

# Restart Xcode and Mac if issues persist

Useful Debugging Commands

Helpful commands for troubleshooting:

# Detailed Flutter doctor output
flutter doctor -v

# List all connected devices
flutter devices

# Build and analyze app size
flutter build ios --analyze-size

# Build IPA directly
flutter build ipa

# Check iOS deployment
flutter run -v

# Clean everything
flutter clean && cd ios && pod deintegrate && pod install && cd ..

App Store Rejection Issues