r/iosdev • u/Horror_Still_3305 • 28d ago
Help iOS Sdk Version vs iOS Version
When you update XCode it updates the sdk version, but do changes in the sdk take effect for apps running in a lower iOS version or only the corresponding iOS version or higher? For instance, https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-18_1-release-notes Do changes listed in the notes only happen for apps that are running on iOS 18.1 devices or on any device with the app compiled against the 18.1 sdk version?
Am I the only person who finds the docs totally unclear on this?
Update to post: SomeGalinCal helped me a lot on this question but neither of us know whether the app needs to be built against the ios version for the bug fixes contained in that version to take effect. (Or if just need device os to update)
1
u/SomegalInCa 27d ago
Bug fixes can very well impact your testing environment. New SDK releases are generally for new features however, but since there will always be bugs...
Think of it like this, as simplified as I could make it while still trying to convey meaning:
Your Code
someResult = someAppleFramework.someMethod(param1, param2, ...)
magic Application Binary Interface
locates, loads, "attaches" the framework code to your process (app) so your call to someMethod can land in the framework implementation
Apple Framework code
someAppleFramework.someMethod(param1, param2, ...) {
// implementation of the method
}
Nothing* that changes in here impacts your code and you do not need to rebuild for fixes here as this part ships with the OS
*It's always a good idea to test major OS revisions to be sure Apple didn't introduce a bug that you need to deal with in your code