XCode4: Running in Release

One decent feature about XCode4 is a more streamlined “scheme” approach, were rather than having to pick the environment, build type etc every time, there are targeted schemes like “Debug” and “Archive.

One thing I felt was missing however is the ability to install Release builds on my device. I would normally use the ‘Run’ tool to do this in XCode3, but that is now Debug-only in XCode4 (well, you can alter the scheme, but then you have to change it back, and it kinda defies the point). I use my own app a lot, and this can provide some valuable testing, however it’s important to also archive the DSYM files for symbolication of crashes.

One way is to archive, and sync to iTunes. I hate having to use iTunes more than needed, and this is a slow process. It does however archive the DSYM which is useful.

However, I am already archiving the dSYM automatically on all release builds (see this post).

The solution in XCode4 is to use the “Profile” option. It will build and install a normal Release build on your iPhone. With the auto-archive script (above), you still get the dSYM for crash symbolicating. One side-effect is it will launch a profiler, but this is no hassle, you can simply press ‘stop’. Hell of a lot easier and faster than exporting & syncing with iTunes anyway.