Over the Summer I've been busy working on a major app that will hopefully carry me for a while. (It's going on it's 4th rejection with Apple, and is now awaiting trial with the 5th District Apple Review Board of Appeals). While I wait, I decided to go ahead and update Xcode to version 6 so I could see how it looks on iOS8 and the new iPhone 6 sizes (as I said, I've been busy this Summer!). Anyway, I quickly found 2 issues with the core that will probably go overlooked by the majority of people: 1) Push Notifications: iOS 8 changes the way push notifications work. Specifically, the way to register a device to receive notifications has changed such that the old code will not do anything - as in, no device registrations, no way to receive push notifications. If you look at the debug output, you will see this line buried in with the rest: registerForRemoteNotificationTypes: is not supported in iOS 8.0 and later. To fix, open the BT_loadConfigDataViewController.m file and scroll down to line 297 or so. You should see these lines of code: //promptForPushNotifications... if([appDelegate.rootApp promptForPushNotifications]){ [BT_debugger showIt:self theMessage:[NSString stringWithFormat:@"promptForPushNotifications %@",@""]]; [[UIApplication sharedApplication] registerForRemoteNotificationTypes: (UIRemoteNotificationTypeAlert | UIRemoteNotificationTypeBadge | UIRemoteNotificationTypeSound)]; } Replace that with: [BT_debugger showIt:self theMessage:[NSString stringWithFormat:@"promptForPushNotifications %@",@""]]; if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] respondsToSelector:@selector(registerUserNotificationSettings:)]) { [BT_debugger showIt:self message:@"registerUserNotificationSettings (iOS 8+)"]; [[UIApplication sharedApplication] registerUserNotificationSettings:[UIUserNotificationSettings settingsForTypes:(UIUserNotificationTypeSound | UIUserNotificationTypeAlert | UIUserNotificationTypeBadge) categories:nil]]; [[UIApplication sharedApplication] registerForRemoteNotifications]; } else { [BT_debugger showIt:self message:@"registerForRemoteNotificationTypes (iOS <8)"]; [[UIApplication sharedApplication] registerForRemoteNotificationTypes: (UIRemoteNotificationTypeAlert | UIRemoteNotificationTypeBadge | UIRemoteNotificationTypeSound)]; } ------------------------------------------------------ issue #2) If you make use of maps, you may have problems finding the device's location (for reasons that I'm happy to discuss if/when my app ever goes live, this is almost a deal-breaker in my app). The issue is that in iOS8 there are extra permissions that must be set to allow the app to see the user's location. To fix this, you need to add this code to your project: //appDelegate BT_appDelegate *appDelegate = (BT_appDelegate *)[[UIApplication sharedApplication] delegate]; if ([appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) [appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization]; **where** you add that code is a matter of debate. I initially tried adding it to the appDelegate, in the applicationDidBecomeActive method, but that didn't work in my app. Next, I tried the BT_loadConfigDataViewController.m file, in the configureEnvironmentUsingAppData method. That didn't work either, so I tried the viewDidLoad method of my map screen, and that did the trick. But, I suspect that's not the best place for this. Any way, there's also another line I found I needed along the way, and that's in the BT_info.plist file. In that file, you need to add a line and set the key to "NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription". Set the value to whatever you want displayed on the popup asking for the user's permission. Something like: "This app would like to use your location to show places near you." will be fine. There's also another permission called "requestWhenInUseAuthorization" (as opposed to "requestAlwaysAuthorization" that can be used instead. Do some research to determine the method best for you based on your app.

Thanks Chris! When it comes time to upgrade for iOS 8, both notifications and map location would have broken my apps. Much appreciated.

Cool Info. Thanks bunches, Chris! :) Cheers! -- Smug

Nice detective work, Chris! Sincerely appreciated. -- Niraj

Thank you Chris

Awesome! Thank you!

nice, thanks!

Thanks Chris, I haven't updated any apps yet, but have you been able to see if your plugins work the same in iOS8?

So far they do

Thanks for the post. We are attempting to add your fix in the BT_screen_custom_URL file, which is where we run our maps in HTML5. Below is our code. The error we receive is: Property 'roolLocationMonitor' not found on object of type... //appDelegate cptestapp_appDelegate *appDelegate = (cptestapp_appDelegate *)[[UIApplication sharedApplication] delegate]; if ([appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) [appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization]; Thanks.

Not sure you need it for html5 maps, but not sure. Are you using a 3.0 Buzztouch build?

We're compiling in 2.0. Do we need to build in 3.0? We've attempted to compile in 3.0 but keep getting info.plist errors. The device needs to locate the user's location and we think that your fix will solve this. Thanks for your help.

Yes you need 3.0 for sure. If you're getting plist errors make sure you delete the 'test' item under 'targets' when you click you project name at the top of the folder/file list on XCode.

Problem solved. We compiled in BT 3.0 - Added this code in BT_screen_customURL.m under the //appDelegate comment (line 64) if ([appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) [appDelegate.rootLocationMonitor.locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization]; - Added these as string messages to info.plist NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription Much thanks Chris for your help.

I have found another IOS 8 issue on the standard pdf doc plugin the drop shadow below the pages has now become a solid black instead of the previous shadow so it doesn't matter what colour you set as the background color or even if you try to add a background picture all you see is this ugly solid black between the pages. I installed the same ipa file via iTunes on a 2nd ipad running ios 7.1.1 and shadow is 100% and looks great so it's IOS 8.0.2 that is the issue. Can you please help me and advise what I can change in XCode to either remove this shadow altogether or change it's color to a very light grey.

Chris: iOS is not picking up the device location when compiled in xcode 6. We fixed this in the BT_screen_customURL plugin, and placed the below code into BT_locationManager.m in both init, line 47, and startLocationUpdates, line 67, without success. These seem to be the logical places to add this, and if not, where would be the optimum place be for the fix? Thanks. if ([locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) [locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization];

Do you get the prompt for sharing your location with the app? If so, does it use the custom text you entered in the BT_info.plist file?

To clarify, it's picking up the device location when we pass the actual lat and lon in a custom URL. It's not picking up the device location when we pass it using these merge fields in a custom URL: latitude=[deviceLatitude]&longitude=[deviceLongitude] to pull the applicable lat and lon from the database. The merge fields did locate the device location prior to iOS8. So, we placed the below code into BT_locationManager.m in both init, line 47, and startLocationUpdates, line 67, without success. These seemed to be the logical places to add this for the merge fields, and if not, where would you recommend be the optimum place be for the fix? if ([locationManager respondsToSelector:@selector(requestAlwaysAuthorization)]) [locationManager requestAlwaysAuthorization]; Thanks for your help on this.

"To clarify, it's picking up the device location when we pass the actual lat and lon in a custom URL." ...If you're not using the appDelegate properties, how are you retrieving the "actual lat and lon" values that you got working? Also, are you testing this on an actual device, or on the simulator? If on the simulator, you will need to go to Xcode->Product->Scheme->Edit Scheme->Options and set a default location.

Yes, using the custom URL, the code enables the geo location in HTML5 and javascript. We placed the code fro your fix into the appDelegate section of the custom URL plugin. We are testing on a device. The question remains, where to also place the code to find the device location when we pass it using these merge fields? We placed the code into BT_locationManager.m in both init, line 47, and startLocationUpdates, line 67, without success. Thanks.

@Hmmm Did you ever find a resolve for this?

Not the fix we needed for the merge fields. However, we did use the above fix from Chris in the appDelegate section of the custom URL plugin, and solved the other in HTML5 so we don't need to use the merge fields.

Hmmm/Red Dog/chris1 Does anyone know if there's been any update to this over the last few months? I'm using Menu Simple screens and really wanted to pass latitude and longitude as merge fields in the Data URL to my php page. I've made the changes mentioned in this post to my BT_screen_menuListSimple.m but no luck :-( Thanks, James.

James: We solved it for web views, but not for merge fields. Let us know if you have additional questions and we'll do what we can to help you out.

Thanks Hmmm. I've given up on the merge fields now (real shame though, hopefully on the list to be fixed) and trying the web views thing instead. I've added the code above to my BT_screen_customURL.m (under the //appDelegate comment) and the BT_info.plist entries. How do I then pass the latitude and longitude into the screen? I assume it's not something I can do through the control panel? I'm not yet self hosted by the way. Thanks again.

You don't pass it into the screen. Instead you use javascript geo location functions to get the user's location to use on your page. It sounds like you're passing merge codes into php. If you need the lan & lon in php, you will need javascript to redirect and pass the lat & lon for your program. More explanation is forthcoming if you want to share a few more specifics. You're also welcome to send us a PM.

Ah, I see. Sorry, I have done this in a previous app but had forgotten. If I've understood correctly then, I can use Javascript's navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition to grab the user's location. I'll try that and hopefully, in combination with the changes above, I'll finally get some coordinates! Thanks for being so helpful.

Anytime. Glad to help. Let us know how it goes.

Actually, just one final thing from your experience... Did you ever find that as well as the neat popup about allowing the app to use the user's location, you also got a popup each time the HTML page loads saying something like: "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Bundle/Application/--guid--/appname.app/filename.htm" Would like to use your location I now get that and it seems unnecessary?

It's an iOS8 user permissions thing. We were able to fix it so it says something like. "OK for, the XXX app to use your location?" I don't recall off hand where but think it was in the p.list file.

I finally updated one of my apps for iOS with push notification fix mentioned above. When you implement this fix in iOS 8.1.2 the app will register for push, the app launches the first time and functions as expected. However, on subsequent launches the app the app freezes on the loading screen for approximately 60 seconds each time. Here is my debug console output for the 2nd launch of the app: 2015-01-11 10:49:56.585 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:56.587 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: Unique UUID exists: xxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx 2015-01-11 10:49:56.587 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device is an iPad. 2015-01-11 10:49:56.587 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device cannot make phone calls 2015-01-11 10:49:56.591 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device can send emails 2015-01-11 10:49:56.598 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device can send SMS (text) messages 2015-01-11 10:49:56.599 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device can report it's location 2015-01-11 10:49:56.619 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device can take still pictures 2015-01-11 10:49:56.619 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: This device can take videos 2015-01-11 10:49:56.619 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: Listing custom fonts (UIAppFonts) listed in app's .plist... 2015-01-11 10:49:56.620 itctc[1055:298250] BT_user: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:56.621 itctc[1055:298250] BT_user: User is not logged in 2015-01-11 10:49:56.621 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:56.644 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:56.694 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: viewDidLoad (super) 2015-01-11 10:49:56.694 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: viewDidLoad 2015-01-11 10:49:56.703 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: supportedInterfaceOrientationsForWindow 2015-01-11 10:49:56.703 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: supportedInterfaceOrientationsForWindow 2015-01-11 10:49:56.704 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: supportedInterfaceOrientationsForWindow 2015-01-11 10:49:56.704 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: supportedInterfaceOrientationsForWindow 2015-01-11 10:49:56.705 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: viewWillAppear (super) 2015-01-11 10:49:56.705 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: configureNavBar (super) for screen with itemId: loadConfigDataScreen 2015-01-11 10:49:56.710 itctc[1055:298250] BT_viewUtilities: getNavBarBackgroundColorForScreen: Screen "(null)" does not use a navBarBackgroundColor 2015-01-11 10:49:56.711 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: configureBackground (super) for screen with itemId loadConfigDataScreen: 2015-01-11 10:49:56.711 itctc[1055:298250] AK_SnowView: NO SNOW 2015-01-11 10:49:56.711 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: viewWillAppear 2015-01-11 10:49:56.727 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: viewDidAppear 2015-01-11 10:49:56.730 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: networkTypeChanged. rootDevice is connected to the network: WiFi 2015-01-11 10:49:56.731 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: applicationDidBecomeActive 2015-01-11 10:49:58.229 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: loadAppData 2015-01-11 10:49:58.229 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: Will use the default JSON configuration file "BT_config.txt" if a newer version is not cached on the device. 2015-01-11 10:49:58.229 itctc[1055:298250] BT_fileManager: File does exist in cached directory: "cachedAppConfig.txt" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.230 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: Parsing previously cached JSON data: "cachedAppConfig.txt" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.230 itctc[1055:298250] BT_fileManager: readTextFileFromCacheWithEncoding: "cachedAppConfig.txt" encoding: -1 2015-01-11 10:49:58.236 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: validateApplicationData 2015-01-11 10:49:58.248 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: The application data appears to be valid. 2015-01-11 10:49:58.248 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: parseJSONData: parsing application data 2015-01-11 10:49:58.259 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: parsing themes, count: 1 2015-01-11 10:49:58.259 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: parsing tabs, count: 0 2015-01-11 10:49:58.259 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: parsing menus, count: 0 2015-01-11 10:49:58.259 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: parsing screens, count: 95 2015-01-11 10:49:58.260 itctc[1055:298250] BT_fileManager: File does exist in Xcode bundle: "BT_config.txt" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.260 itctc[1055:298250] BT_fileManager: readTextFileFromBundleWithEncoding: "BT_config.txt" encoding: -1 2015-01-11 10:49:58.273 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: reportToCloud 2015-01-11 10:49:58.274 itctc[1055:298250] BT_fileManager: File does exist in cached directory: "appModified.txt" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.274 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: reporting to cloud at : https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=reportToCloud&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=776EBF84B3FAFC3814AFDC8&apiSecret=3B0EA05F66601890402CA85&deviceId=[deviceId]&deviceLatitude=[deviceLatitude]&deviceLongitude=[deviceLongitude]&deviceModel=[deviceModel]&userId=[userId]&currentMode=Live 2015-01-11 10:49:58.274 itctc[1055:298250] BT_strings: mergeBTVariablesInString (before): https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=reportToCloud&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=776EBF84B3FAFC3814AFDC8&apiSecret=3B0EA05F66601890402CA85&deviceId=[deviceId]&deviceLatitude=[deviceLatitude]&deviceLongitude=[deviceLongitude]&deviceModel=[deviceModel]&userId=[userId]&currentMode=Live 2015-01-11 10:49:58.275 itctc[1055:298250] BT_strings: mergeBTVariablesInString (after merge): https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=reportToCloud&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=776EBF84B3FAFC3814AFDC8&apiSecret=3B0EA05F66601890402CA85&deviceId=33542224-54F9-4D39-AE99-AF960278D182&deviceLatitude=0&deviceLongitude=0&deviceModel=iPad&userId=&currentMode=Live 2015-01-11 10:49:58.279 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: configureEnvironmentUsingAppData 2015-01-11 10:49:58.280 itctc[1055:298250] BT_contextMenu: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:58.303 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: "Start Location Updates" = "No". NOT starting the location monitor. 2015-01-11 10:49:58.304 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: buildInterface app interface 2015-01-11 10:49:58.304 itctc[1055:298250] BT_background_view: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:58.304 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: building a single navigation controller app 2015-01-11 10:49:58.304 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: getViewControllerForScreen nickname: "Home v3" itemId: 1F91FC2BA8C5A10055701F3 type: AK_mosaicMenu 2015-01-11 10:49:58.305 itctc[1055:298250] AK_mosaicMenu: INIT 2015-01-11 10:49:58.305 itctc[1055:298250] BT_navController: pushViewController 2015-01-11 10:49:58.305 itctc[1055:298361] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: loadSoundEffects 2015-01-11 10:49:58.307 itctc[1055:298360] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: initAudioPlayer 2015-01-11 10:49:58.308 itctc[1055:298360] BT_audioPlayer: INIT (preparing it for possible background audio) 2015-01-11 10:49:58.313 itctc[1055:298250] BT_application: This app does not use a splash screen 2015-01-11 10:49:58.313 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: fadeOutLoadView 2015-01-11 10:49:58.313 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: promptForPushNotifications 2015-01-11 10:49:58.314 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: registerUserNotificationSettings (iOS 8+) 2015-01-11 10:49:58.320 itctc[1055:298361] BT_fileManager: File does exist in Xcode bundle: "bt_funk.mp3" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.323 itctc[1055:298361] BT_fileManager: File does exist in Xcode bundle: "bt_glass.mp3" 2015-01-11 10:49:58.329 itctc[1055:298250] itctc_appDelegate: didRegisterForRemoteNotificationsWithDeviceToken: Device Token: <acda3446 bb5bf1b2 d2aa6268 1e8ab013 29ea5ed9 2005b3d0 6322094f 534989ac> 2015-01-11 10:49:58.330 itctc[1055:298250] BT_strings: mergeBTVariablesInString (before): https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=registerForPush&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=776EBF84B3FAFC3814AFDC8&apiSecret=3B0EA05F66601890402CA85&deviceId=[deviceId]&deviceLatitude=[deviceLatitude]&deviceLongitude=[deviceLongitude]&deviceModel=[deviceModel]&userId=[userId]&deviceType=ios&deviceToken=acda3446bb5bf1b2d2aa62681e8ab01329ea5ed92005b3d06322094f534989ac&currentMode=Live 2015-01-11 10:49:58.330 itctc[1055:298250] BT_strings: mergeBTVariablesInString (after merge): https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=registerForPush&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=776EBF84B3FAFC3814AFDC8&apiSecret=3B0EA05F66601890402CA85&deviceId=33542224-54F9-4D39-AE99-AF960278D182&deviceLatitude=0&deviceLongitude=0&deviceModel=iPad&userId=&deviceType=ios&deviceToken=acda3446bb5bf1b2d2aa62681e8ab01329ea5ed92005b3d06322094f534989ac&currentMode=Live 2015-01-11 10:49:58.330 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: registerForPushNotifications: https://www.buzztouch.com/api/app/?command=registerForPush&appGuid=JA9DA64A69ED3569068DFD94C&apiKey=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&apiSecret=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&deviceId=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx&deviceLatitude=0&deviceLongitude=0&deviceModel=iPad&userId=&deviceType=ios&deviceToken=acda3446bb5bf1b2d2aa62681e8abxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxac&currentMode=Live The app sits at the loading screen for 61 seconds each subsequent launch and then the app launches. The first line of the debug console shows this: 2015-01-11 10:50:59.335 itctc[1055:298250] BT_device: registerForPushNotifications: Response: (null) 2015-01-11 10:50:59.340 itctc[1055:298250] BT_loadConfigDataViewController: fadeInStartView If I comment out the promptForPushNotification code the app launches and then behaves as expected. The 60 second delay makes for a terrible user experience. I know that the delay is due to the communication to the servers to register for push each time. Has anybody else experienced this problem or is this something new?

Brian -- I suggest you make a new post for this problem to help keep a focus on it.

Good suggestion Niraj. Done.