Feasibility of building for iOS when new to iOS

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Saying I’m new to iOS is an exaggeration.  It’s more accurate to say I know nothing about it.

When I got interested in Corona I thought the idea of using a gaming platform for Android would save me a lot of work – that has definitely proven to be true. The idea that I could build for iPhone seemed like a great, added benefit. Now I think that benefit is out of reach for me – for the short term anyway.

From looking around in the forums, it seems like I’ve got to buy one (more) Apple products and start learning about their environment. Does anyone know of a doc that would help with that task? Ideally, I guess I’m looking for an article titled “Here’s the minimum Apple environment you must have to build your Corona-based app on iOS.”

I’m starting to think I should just stick with Android for now.

Dan

#2

It is really not that hard.  That is, it is much easier today than it was in 2011.

The primary tasks are:

  • EASY BUT EXPENSIVE - Buy a Mac to build on.
    • You will get suggestions that you can build using Mac In Cloud and other solutions.  These violate the Apple EULA, but do what you will.  Just don’t say you weren’t warned.
  • EASY - Create your iOS development account.
  • EASY - Install xCode (used by Corona to sign app.)
  • MEDIUM to HARD (the first time) - Create and install your certificates.
  • SUPER EASY - Build for iOS once your certificates are installed.
  • MEDIUM - Create your first app description on iTunes Connect
  • EASY - Upload you app to iTunes connect.
  • MEDIUM - Submitting your first app.

Everything challenging in the tasks list is challenging because of Apple and the certificate system.

Note: This is true for all game engines/SDKs.

Cheers,

Ed

#3

Buying MAC doesn’t have very expensive to work on Corona as long as you can live with the limitation. I work on a Mid 2010 Macbook Pro on macOS Sierra. I bought this one off e-bay for a little over $100 US. Everything works great except the xCode simulator takes over 20 minutes to launch an image. I do that testing at the very end. It is slow but you won’t notice it in your favorite lua editor and running the corona simulator. I see some on e-bay starting for as little as $80 bucks. 

Mine wasn’t in mint condition when I got it.

#4

Good info! Thank you roaminggamer and agramonte

I’m inspired to dust off my e-bay account. :slight_smile:

#5

It is really not that hard.  That is, it is much easier today than it was in 2011.

The primary tasks are:

  • EASY BUT EXPENSIVE - Buy a Mac to build on.
    • You will get suggestions that you can build using Mac In Cloud and other solutions.  These violate the Apple EULA, but do what you will.  Just don’t say you weren’t warned.
  • EASY - Create your iOS development account.
  • EASY - Install xCode (used by Corona to sign app.)
  • MEDIUM to HARD (the first time) - Create and install your certificates.
  • SUPER EASY - Build for iOS once your certificates are installed.
  • MEDIUM - Create your first app description on iTunes Connect
  • EASY - Upload you app to iTunes connect.
  • MEDIUM - Submitting your first app.

Everything challenging in the tasks list is challenging because of Apple and the certificate system.

Note: This is true for all game engines/SDKs.

Cheers,

Ed

#6

Buying MAC doesn’t have very expensive to work on Corona as long as you can live with the limitation. I work on a Mid 2010 Macbook Pro on macOS Sierra. I bought this one off e-bay for a little over $100 US. Everything works great except the xCode simulator takes over 20 minutes to launch an image. I do that testing at the very end. It is slow but you won’t notice it in your favorite lua editor and running the corona simulator. I see some on e-bay starting for as little as $80 bucks. 

Mine wasn’t in mint condition when I got it.

#7

Good info! Thank you roaminggamer and agramonte

I’m inspired to dust off my e-bay account. :slight_smile: