What Is XCode Cloud?
Xcode Cloud is a continuous integration and delivery service built into Xcode, specifically designed for Apple developers. It aims to accelerate the development and delivery of high-quality apps by amalgamating cloud-based tools that assist in building apps, conducting automated tests in parallel, delivering apps to testers, and managing user feedback.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Automated Workflows | Configure workflows to suit your development process or utilize the built-in workflow to commence and customize it as your process evolves. It can build every committed code change, alerting the team instantly if any issue is introduced, potentially saving wasted days before users find bugs. |
| Parallel Testing | Configure Xcode Cloud to test one or two device types for a quick check on your project’s health, or test a wide range of device configurations less frequently for edge cases. It allocates resources in parallel to quickly complete the testing job while you and your Mac continue coding. |
| Built into Xcode | The results for your builds and tests, including feedback on crashes from users, are presented right inside Xcode. As builds occur in the cloud, Xcode displays live status indicators and allows you to filter by the build tasks you wish to monitor. |
| App Store Connect | The App Store Connect web dashboard displays critical information about your builds and testing results. It also enables you to edit your workflows and initiate builds directly from the web. |
| Works with TestFlight | Xcode Cloud and TestFlight collaborate to install new builds for your team, facilitating immediate testing or sending specific branches of your app with unique in-development features to select external testers as you experiment with new ideas. It also allows the creation and sharing of tester notes, helping to keep all of your users updated on your latest improvements. |
| Security and Privacy | Designed to safeguard your projects and privacy, Xcode Cloud encrypts all data at rest and protects access with two-factor authentication. The source code is accessed only for builds, and the ephemeral build environments are destroyed once your build completes. |
Getting Started
- Free Trial: Get started for free with Xcode. Download Xcode, configure your first project, and start building your app for free in Xcode Cloud in just a few minutes. The build status is displayed in Xcode, and reports show the results immediately after the build finishes. Xcode Cloud optimizes your build settings based on the information from your Xcode project.
- Subscriptions: Depending on the compute hours you need, various subscription plans are available. You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription at any time. All Apple Developer Program members receive 25 hours per month for free.