Download created files from iPhone App's document folder on PC

Question

I created some files which store some logging information in my iPhone App. They are stored in the App's document folder. I would like to download them onto my Mac. I'm able to see them in the xCode organizer but I'm not able to access these files. How can I achieve this?

Answer 1

First, set Application supports iTunes file sharing on on your project's settings plist. It could also be named UIFileSharingEnabled .

Then, for the code, save the file in NSDocumentDirectory like so:

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions {
    // Id its a local file in the app use its name.  If not, alter for your needs.
    NSString *fileName = @"someFile.png";
    NSFileManager *fileManager = [NSFileManager defaultManager];
    NSError *error;
    NSArray *paths = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES);
    NSString *documentsDirectory = [paths objectAtIndex:0];
    NSString *documentDBFolderPath = [documentsDirectory stringByAppendingPathComponent:fileName];
 
    if (![fileManager fileExistsAtPath:documentDBFolderPath]) {
        NSString *resourceDBFolderPath = [[[NSBundle mainBundle] resourcePath] stringByAppendingPathComponent:fileName];
       [fileManager copyItemAtPath:resourceDBFolderPath toPath:documentDBFolderPath error:&error];
    }
    [self.window makeKeyAndVisible]; 
    return YES;
}

All taken from iOS Dev Tips - File Sharing from App to iTunes is too easy

Answer 2

Using the Download button in the Organizer allows you to save a .xcappdata package to your Mac (Xcode 4.2, previous versions just save a folder). You can right-click and choose "Show Package Contents", a Finder window will open and you can find a copy of the Documents directory therein.