iOS Tutorial Installing B4i-Bridge and debugging first app

B4i-Bridge is an application that you install on the device.
It has three purposes:
1. Launch the installation process when needed. This step is done with Apple Configurator 2 if using a local builder (https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/installing-apps-with-apple-configurator-2.128397/).
2. Run the installed app (when installation is not needed).
3. The bridge is also the WYSIWYG visual designer.
4. Starting from iOS 16 you need to enable developer mode under: Settings - Privacy & Security -> Developer Mode

You need to install B4i-Bridge once. It is done from the device browser.


This video tutorial shows the steps required in order to install B4i-Bridge.

The important steps are:
- Set the package name based on the provision app id.
- Build B4i-Bridge: Tools -> Build Server -> Build B4i-Bridge
- Open mobile Safari and navigate to the link displayed in the compilation window.
- Install B4i-Bridge and run it.



Transcript:
1. Create a new project and save it.
2. Set the package name based on the provision app id (Project - Build Configurations).
3. Tools - Build Server - Build B4i-Bridge app.
4. The compilation dialog will show the link that you need to enter in the device browser.
5. Click on the Install button and confirm the installation.
6. Press on the Home key. B4i-Bridge app should be installed.
7. Start B4i-Bridge. A message with the ip address will be displayed.
8. Set this address in the IDE under Tools - Device IP Address.
9. Run the program. Approve the installation on the device and click on the new installed app.


Note that this is a real device. Not an emulator.

Tips:

- B4i-Bridge must be in the foreground for it to be able to start an installation or to run the application. In most cases it will be in the foreground automatically. If it is not in the foreground then you need to click on it to bring it to the foreground.

Troubleshooting:

Device errors:


1. Make sure that the mobile provisioning file includes the device UDID and that the UDID doesn't start with ffffff (this is a fake id).
2. Select 64 bit under Tools - Build Server - Server Settings.

Compilation errors:
1. First follow the steps in this tutorial: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/creating-a-certificate-and-provisioning-profile.45880/
2. Make sure that the App Id ends with a wildcard.

 

[Ramezanpour]

Did you try to remove the B4i profile and B4i bridge first? Then reinstall both?

Just a thought.

yes

 

[TheAlchemist]

G'day Guys,
Am having problems with getting the bridge connection to fire on my iPhone 6 (it does not connect) I have :
1/ Created the certs (CSR, security), and they are in the Keys file
2/ UDID has been created (number from iTunes (although copy/paste changed to small letters)
3/ The App installs the bridge and the iPhone creates the app (bridge cert has been installed)
4/ the iPhone/laptop are on the same network (firewall disabled)
5/ I am using the Hosted MAC builder service

The phone will still not connect to the app (waiting for IDE to connect to B4i ...). I am new to this, so I hope there may be an easy explanation. Any help would be appreciated please.

Jim

 

[Erel]

If you were able to install B4i-Bridge on your device then all the keys and certificates are correct.

Have you selected the device ip address in the IDE (the address that appears in B4i-Bridge app)?

 

[TheAlchemist]

G'day Erel,
This has fixed it, thank you so much for the prompt support !! Now I can start to play .......

 

[shasunder]

Erel,

Thanks for the Tutorial. As advised, I followed the steps and my B4i compilation dialog box showed as below.

Building designer app. 0.01
Building Xcode project 0.01
Sending data to remote compiler. 2.08
Open mobile Safari and navigate to: 192.168.0.15:51041
Then click on the Install button.
Troubleshooting:
1. Make sure that B4I certificate is installed (www.b4x.com/ca.pem).
2. Make sure that the provisioning file includes the target device UDID.
3. Check the link for typos.
Compilation completed successfully.

In my device, i was able to see
Click on the button to download your latest build:
Product-Name: B4i-Bridge
Build Time: Now
Install App
Click here to refresh the page.

When i clicked on Install app - it shows a message open this page in "App Store?" when i click on open, it says cannot connect to 192.168.0.15

What am i Doing wrong?

 

[Erel]

Have you installed B4I certificate on the device?

 

[shasunder]

Yes. I Did. B4I certificate is installed from www.b4x.com/ca.pem.

 

[Erel]

Start with the hosted Mac builder. You can use this temporary user id: afk97ns (it will work in the next 3 days).

 

[Juan Pablo da Rocha]

Thanks Erel, tutorial is very clear!

 

[TRCTE]

Hi Erel,

Need help on this issue " b4i bridge could not installed at this time ".

I think I follow all the steps and make sure that mobile provision has UDID.

Keys folder has the following
1. CSR file
2. MOBILEPROVISION
3. Security Certificate
4. Personal Information Exchange

Also B4i certificate is install on Iphone 4S (IOS 8.4) and can be seen at general-->Profile-->B4i

But still I cant install the B4i-Bridge.

What shall I do, I am using hosted builder?

I am using windows 7 PC.

 

[Mark Turney]

What is the error you are receiving? Does your provisioning profile match your bundle identifier? Is the provisioning profile development or distribution?

 

[TRCTE]

What is the error you are receiving? Does your provisioning profile match your bundle identifier? Is the provisioning profile development or distribution?

See attached capture image.
Still I cant install B4i-Bridge using hosted builder.

 

[Mark Turney]

Anyone else have any thoughts? I would double (or triple) check the UDID and that the provisioning profile is development. I also use the hosted builder.

 

[Erel]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

I've sent him an email.

 

[Jessel D. Buenaventura]

Hi TRCTE,

Try to verify the prov profile, better yet try to put new one deleting the old.
Also please check your network connections. If your using a Hosted MAC builder, be sure to put the right user id under tools>>builder setting>>server setting. Put also the device IP address in the Device IP Address under tools. Hope it will help you.

 

[Alberto Michelis]

Can I use an iPOD to develope?

 

[Mark Turney]

As long as it can run iOS 7 or higher, you should be fine. i don't use one but I am going from the requirements page and iPod specs from Apple.

 

[Erel]

That's correct. You can use an iPod Touch running iOS 7+.

 

[Rafael Perez Jurado]

B4i-Bridge is an application that you install on the device.
It has three purposes:
1. Launch the installation process when needed.
2. Run the installed app (when installation is not needed).
3. The bridge is also the WYSIWYG visual designer.

You need to install B4i-Bridge once. It is done from the device browser.

Before you install B4i-Bridge you must install the B4I certificate. This step is not shown in the video.
Open Safari (device browser) and navigate to: www.b4x.com/ca.pem

This video tutorial shows the steps required in order to install B4i-Bridge.

The important steps are:
- Set the package name based on the provision app id.
- Build B4i-Bridge: Tools -> Build Server -> Build B4i-Bridge
- Open mobile Safari and navigate to the link displayed in the compilation window.
- Install B4i-Bridge and run it.

Make sure to see the video in HD mode (press on the small gear button to change mode):


Note that this is a real device. Not an emulator.

Tips:
- You don't need to wait for the installation animation to complete. Once the animation starts you can click on the app icon.
- If the installation is stuck in the "waiting" step for more than 10 or 15 seconds then uninstall it and install it again.
- B4i-Bridge must be in the foreground for it to be able to start an installation or to run the application. In most cases it will be in the foreground automatically. If it is not in the foreground then you need to click on it to bring it to the foreground.

Troubleshooting:

Device errors:
1. Make sure that the B4I certificate is installed. You can check it under Settings - General - Profile:

2. Make sure that the mobile provisioning file includes the device UDID.

3. If it doesn't help restart the phone and try again.

Compilation errors:
1. First follow the steps in this tutorial: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/creating-a-certificate-and-provisioning-profile.45880/
2. Make sure that the App Id ends with a wildcard.

Hi,

Is it necessary to create an Apple developer account in order to compile an application ?, With both local and remote compilation ?


http://www.compilate.es

 

[Erel]

If you have a local Mac then you can use the iOS simulator instead of a real device. It doesn't require an Apple account.