InAppSettings

InAppSettings is an open source iPhone and iPod touch framework for displaying an in app version of the settings from the Settings.bundle.

There has been a lot of debate over whether an app's settings should be in the app or in the Settings app. InAppSettings is an open source framework determined to remedy this situation once and for all by easily allowing developers to have the same settings in the Settings app in in their app. InAppSettings uses the same Settings.bundle so there is no duplication of files or work. Simply add InAppSettings to the app's project and call it's view controler from code or Interface Builder and you're done! The InAppSettings wiki contains a full guide, including example code, for adding InAppSettings to an iPhone or iPod touch app.

By: David Keegan

With contributions from:

• Shayne Sweeney
• Hendrik Kueck
• Peter Greis
• Kurt Arnlund

Features

• 100% re-implementation of the look and functionality of the Settings app.
• Easily add InAppSettings to any navigation controller from code or Interface Builder, InAppSettings can also be displayed as a modal view.
• Support for all versions of the iPhone and iPod Touch OS, 2.0+.
• Support for settings language localization.
• InAppSettings contains a class method for initializing all the user defaults in the Settings.bundle.
• InAppSettings adds additional functionality to the Settings.bundle by adding optional values for in app titles and opening urls.
• Sample project that demonstrates how to use InAppSettings from code, Interface Builder and a modal view.

License

InAppSettings was developed by InScopeApps {+} and is distributed under the MIT license so it can be used in free or comercial apps. See the LICENSE file for more information.

How to add InAppSettings to Your App

Drag InAppSettings into your project in Xcode. Make sure the dialog looks like this, then press 'Add'.

If you will be using InAppSettings in multiple projects, and I hope you do:), add InAppSettings to your source trees in the Xcode preferences. If you do this the 'add' settings should look like this, then press 'Add'.

InAppSettingsViewController

The InAppSettingsViewController is a subclass of the UIViewController that displays the settings from the Settings.bundle. It can be used from code and Interface Builder.

Using InAppSettingsViewController From Code

#import "InAppSettings.h"

- (IBAction)showSettings{
    InAppSettingsViewController *settings = [[InAppSettingsViewController alloc] init];
    [self.navigationController pushViewController:settings animated:YES];
    [settings release];
}

Using InAppSettingsViewController From Interface Builder

To use InAppSettingsViewController in Interface Builder, change the class type of any UIViewController to InAppSettingsViewController.

To work correctly the InAppSettingsViewController must be added to an existing UINavigationController.

InAppSettingsTestApp demonstrates how to use InAppSettingsViewController from code and Interface Builder.

InAppSettingsModalViewController

The InAppSettingsModalViewController is a subclass of UIViewController that creates its own UINavigationController. It is designed to be used as a modal view and is created with a 'Done' button that will dismiss the view.

How to use InAppSettingsModalViewController from code

#import "InAppSettings.h"

- (IBAction)presentSettings{
    InAppSettingsModalViewController *settings = [[InAppSettingsModalViewController alloc] init];
    [self presentModalViewController:settings animated:YES];
    [settings release];
}

The InAppSettingsModalViewController should not be used from Interface Builder.

InAppSettingsTestApp demonstrates how to use InAppSettingsModalViewController as a modal view.

[InAppSettings registerDefaults]

The user defaults from the Settings.bundle are not initialized on startup, and are only initialized when viewed in the Settings App. InAppSettings has a registerDefaults class method that can be called to initialize all of the user defaults from the Settings.bundle.

How to use [InAppSettings registerDefaults] from code

The InAppSettings registerDefaults method should be called from the AppDelegate's initialize method.

#import "InAppSettings.h"

+ (void)initialize{
    if([self class] == [AppDelegate class]){
        [InAppSettings registerDefaults];
    }
}

The name of the 'AppDelegate' will need to change to the name of the app's AppDelegate class.

Custom settings specifier keys

InAppTitle

InAppTitle is an optional settings specifier key that can be added to any settings specifier. If present this title will be used in InAppSettings.

<dict>
    <key>Type</key>
    <string>PSGroupSpecifier</string>
    <key>Title</key>
    <string>Change the theme of the app</string>
    <key>InAppTitle</key>
    <string>Change the theme of the app, these changes will take effect the next time the app is launched</string>
</dict>

The Settings app will display: "Change the theme of the app", but InAppSettings will display: "Change the theme of the app, these changes will take effect the next time the app is launched".

InAppURL

InAppTitle is an optional settings specifier key that can be added to PSTitleValueSpecifier. If present a disclosure indicator will be added to the cell, and the specified url will be opened when the cell is tapped.

<dict>
    <key>Type</key>
    <string>PSTitleValueSpecifier</string>
    <key>Title</key>
    <string>Created by:</string>
    <key>Key</key>
    <string>testUrl</string>
    <key>DefaultValue</key>
    <string>InScopeApps {+}</string>
    <key>InAppURL</key>
    <string>http://www.inscopeapps.com</string>
</dict>

To open a webpage the url MUST startwith "http://".

InAppSettingsTestApp

The InAppSettingsTestApp is a Xcode project for testing InAppSettings. It also demonstrates all the ways to use the InAppSettings view controllers and class methods.