iOS Tutorial Local Mac Builder Installation

iOS compilation requires an Apple Mac computer. Developers have two options with B4i:
- Use a local Mac machine connected over the local network.
- Use our hosted builder rental service.

These instructions explain how to install the builder on a local Mac machine.

1. Download OpenJDK 19.0.1: https://jdk.java.net/archive/ (Mac/AArch64 for Arm based Mac or Mac/x64 for Intel based Mac).
2. Install Xcode 26 from the app store or:

https://developer.apple.com/download/all/?q=xcode+26

3. You need to run Xcode at least once. Approve installation of additional components when asked.
4. Download and unzip the B4i-Builder.
5. Open a terminal and navigate to B4i-Builder folder.
6. Start it with:

<path to java>/jdk-19.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home/bin/java-jar B4iBuildServer.jar

7. Install Apple Configurator from the app store.
8. Run Apple Configurator and select "Install Automation Tools" in the top left menu.
9. Set the builder IP address in the IDE under Tools - Build Server - Server Settings
10. You might be asked for a password during a build (codesign step). The password is 111111
Click on the "Always allow" button. This will be fixed in the next update.

Notes & Tips

- By default ports numbers 51041 (http) and 51042 (https) are used.
- The firewall should be either disabled or allow incoming connections on these two ports.
- You can test that the server is running by going to the following link: http://<server ip>:51041/test
- You can kill the server with: http://<server ip>:51041/kill
- It is recommended to set your Mac server ip address to a static address. This can be done in your router settings or in the Mac under Network settings.
- A single Mac builder can serve multiple developers as long as they are all connected to the same local network.


Troubleshooting

Check the "Test" page: <Mac ip>:51041/test

 

[Alberto Iglesias]

Okkkk, sorry! I change my server, and the files left in another server.

This is the correct link: http://visualnet.servehttp.com/download/b4x/MacB4iServer.zip

 

[Mashiane]

Okkkk, sorry! I change my server, and the files left in another server.

This is the correct link: http://visualnet.servehttp.com/download/b4x/MacB4iServer.zip

Tell me, this needs to be run everytime the local build machine is started isnt it? Is there a way to have this script run during boot time?

 

[Alberto Iglesias]

You can compile via Apple Script and put in start login in a mac, look this:

http://www.howtogeek.com/206178/mac-os-x-change-which-apps-start-automatically-at-login/

or

http://osxdaily.com/2006/11/29/how-to-launch-application-on-system-start-in-mac-os-x/

 

[Mashiane]

You can compile via Apple Script and put in start login in a mac, look this:

http://www.howtogeek.com/206178/mac-os-x-change-which-apps-start-automatically-at-login/

or

http://osxdaily.com/2006/11/29/how-to-launch-application-on-system-start-in-mac-os-x/

Thanks, its working...

 

[manolitoGnet]

Hi,

I'm doing something wrong, any idea?

B4i Build Server
Build server is running.
Version: 2.8
Server time: 23:04:05
Mac SSL Key
Invalid key!!! <---------------------
SSL port: 51042
h files

• iAd: 1.00
• iAdMob: 1.33
• iAnalytics: 1.0
• iArchiver: 1.01... etc.

Same response via http :51041 as https :51042

Thanks in advance!

 

[Erel]

This by itself doesn't mean that there is an error. Are you able to compile?

 

[manolitoGnet]

This by itself doesn't mean that there is an error. Are you able to compile?

Yes. Everything works fine over Simulator.

The problem comes with the real device and using the test page I'v seen this 'error'.

If you think it's not related I will continue to work trying to install Bridge on the iPad.

Tx

 

[Erel]

Start the builder and make sure that it prints the correct ip address.

 

[manolitoGnet]

SOLVED!!!

I had renewed every certificate except iPad one.

Now a little trouble with Simulator, but compiling and running on iPad!!!

Start the builder and make sure that it prints the correct ip address.

MacNolito:macserver28 rsan$ java -jar B4iBuildServer.jar

Build server version: 2.8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2016-08-03 16:56:38.165:INFO::main: Logging initialized @403ms

Loading default configuration file.

AppPath=/Users/rsan/macserver28

Forcing ip address to: 192.168.1.15 <----------- works in the same way without forcing

2016-08-03 16:56:38.336:INFOejs.Server:main: jetty-9.3.z-SNAPSHOT

2016-08-03 16:56:38.402:INFOejsh.ContextHandler:main: Started o.e.j.s.ServletContextHandler@17c68925{/,file:///Users/rsan/macserver28/www,AVAILABLE}

2016-08-03 16:56:38.406:INFOejs.AbstractNCSARequestLog:main: Opened /Users/rsan/macserver28/logs/b4j-2016_08_03.request.log

2016-08-03 16:56:38.442:INFOejs.ServerConnector:main: Started ServerConnector@732de9e5{HTTP/1.1,[http/1.1]}{0.0.0.0:51041}

2016-08-03 16:56:38.507:INFOejus.SslContextFactory:main: x509=X509@73f792cf(rootca,h=[],w=[]) for SslContextFactory@2ed94a8b(file:///Users/rsan/macserver28/key/key.jks,null)

2016-08-03 16:56:38.508:INFOejus.SslContextFactory:main: x509=X509@38082d64(jetty,h=[192.168.1.15],w=[]) for SslContextFactory@2ed94a8b(file:///Users/rsan/macserver28/key/key.jks,null)

2016-08-03 16:56:39.127:INFOejs.ServerConnector:main: Started ServerConnector@704921a5{SSL,[ssl, http/1.1]}{0.0.0.0:51042}

2016-08-03 16:56:39.128:INFOejs.Server:main: Started @1377ms

Build server is ready

https://192.168.1.15:51042 <----------- Correct and /test works

http://192.168.1.15:51041

Build server version: 2.8

===========================

B4i version: 2.80
Parsing code. (0.00s)
Compiling code. (0.05s)
Compiling layouts code. (0.00s)
Compiling debugger engine code. (0.84s)
Building Xcode project (0.02s)
Sending data to remote compiler. Error
Error: security: SecKeychainDelete: The specified keychain could not be found.

Out: Build settings from command line:
ARCHS = armv7
CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY = iPhone
CONFIGURATION_BUILD_DIR = /Users/<user id>/macserver28/UploadedProjects/<user id>/Payload
OTHER_CODE_SIGN_FLAGS = —keychain <user id>
PRODUCT_NAME = B4i Example
PROVISIONING_PROFILE = f22e0b5a-8d69-4315-9b10-56bd4117d54e

=== BUILD TARGET B4iProject OF PROJECT B4iProject WITH CONFIGURATION Release ===

Check dependencies
Code Sign error: No codesigning identities found: No codesigning identities (i.e. certificate and private key pairs) that match the provisioning profile specified in your build settings (“AppID para 32rsm”) were found.


Error: ** BUILD FAILED **


The following build commands failed:
Check dependencies
(1 failure)

 

[SoftTech]

Hi Erel

this is a newbie question, Yesterday I bought B4i. I'm using my mac locally, I followed the tutorial and installed the macbuider, it's working fine, I test from my virtual windows machine and it's working.

The problem is when I try to build the Bridge, this process requires a key and in the tutorial the key is generated using the apple developer account. In your site advertising it's say the following->

Requirements

• Apple developer account (costs $99 per year).
• An iOS device running iOS 7+.

The compilation process requires a Mac computer. You can either use a local Mac computer or use our Hosted Mac Builder service (currently costs $26 per year). Note that if you use a local Mac computer then you can develop with the iOS simulator which does not require an Apple developer account.

How I can create the key without the apple developer account? do you have any tutorial about it?

Thanks

 

[Erel]

You don't need to create B4i-Bridge if you are using the simulator. Just select simulator under Tools - Device Ip Address.

 

[bromie2008]

Hi Erel;
I'm newbie here;
Last week i'm already purchased b4A and B4i plus with hosted mac builder. For B4A its work fine. For b4i i dont know how to install or setup for hosted mac builder. I'm using windows base not a mac. Please

 

[Erel]

You should use Windows.

Start with these tutorials:
Creating a certificate and provisioning profile
Installing B4i-Bridge and debugging first app

If you have any question please start a new thread.

 

[bromie2008]

Thanks Erel;

Keys Folder its for what? Do i need to Enroll Apple Developer before i test the output of the B4i program?

 

[Erel]

Do i need to Enroll Apple Developer before i test the output of the B4i program?

See the requirements in the B4i page: https://www.b4x.com/b4i.html

If you have a local mac then you can use the simulator without a developer account. Otherwise it is required.

 

[bromie2008]

noted and thanks Erel.

 

[karyadi]

Hi all,
i use B4i ver 3.01 and i have mac os 10.10.5 and xcode 6.4,
can i use mac os 10.10.5 and xcode 6.4 for local mac builder?

thanks

 

[Erel]

Xcode 7 works with Mac 10.10. You should use Xcode 7 or 8.

 

[karyadi]

thanks erel, i will try using xcode 7.

 

[Angelo Della Monica]

Hi All,

About local MAC builder installation: where I can download B4i-Builder?

Thanks

Angelo