AB v2.14 and iOS companion app

[Ian]

Hi,

My AB Windows client was updated to v2.14 this morning. I also updated the Telerik companion app on my iPhone to v2.14.Since then I've found it almost impossible to update a NativeScript app using the iOS companion app with LiveSync. I think I got it to work once or twice but every other time it fails. I scan the bar code, the package downloads, the activity timer is visible for a second but then nothing happens - the new version of my app isn't loaded.

I tried the same {N} app with the latest version of the Android companion app v2.14 and that works fine.

Has anybody else had problems with v2.14?

Regards, Ian

[Ian]

After further testing I’ve concluded there must be something in my {N} app the iOS companion app doesn’t like. I tried setting up two simple test {N} apps and I can update these using the iOS companion app without problem. Whenever I try the same with my [original] app, however, the update fails as described above (although the same app updates OK with the Android companion app).

The AB build process doesn’t report any errors. Is there any logging in the companion app that would give me a clue as to what the problem is?

Regards, Ian

[Tina Stancheva]

Hello Ian,

I am afraid that you can get more information about what is going wrong only if you can get the iPhone logs. If you have an xCode installation on a Mac machine, you can get them through the xCode console as discussed here.

Since the liveSycn feature triggers a web request to our servers to get the latest data, you can also run Fiddler and examine the liveSync requests. The server response might give you a clue as to what is going wrong. This article describes how to capture traffics from an iOS device.

Alternatively, you can create a ticket and attach your project in it so we can test the livesync behavior on our side. If we manage to replicate the issues, we will be able to investigate them further and suggest a solution.

Regards,
Tina Stancheva
Telerik

 

 

[Ian]

Hi Tina,

Since my original posts, I've realised that the iOS companion app is updating the {N} app but it seems to remember the fact that an error occurred previously and it won't restart the {N} app automatically (as it should do). If you close the app and then re-start the companion app, the new version of the {N} app runs.

I think there's also a fairly easy way to reproduce the error:

1. Create a new Hello World app (I used the JS version in AB). Build the app and run it using the companion app.

2. Introduce a deliberate coding error. I commented out the 'var page = args.object;' line in the man-page.js file. Build the app and try to run it using the companion app. It fails and reports the error.

3. Correct the coding error and make a simple change to the UI so that you can identify the latest version of the code. Build the app and try to run it using the companion app.You should find that the new app won't run. However, if you close the iOS companion app and then re-start it, the new version of the {N} app does then run.

Let me know if that allows you to reproduce the problem.

Best regards, Ian

[Tina Stancheva]

Hi Ian,

I am afraid tat I wasn't able to replicate this behavior on my side. I attached a screencast of the device I used to test the steps you listed. Please have a look at it and let me know if there are any steps that I am missing.

At the end of the screencast you'll see me opening the NativeScript app settings (from the iOS Settings menu) and enabling the Reset on Restart option - this option allows you to restart the app once it is completely closed. I wanted to demonstrate that option in case you find it useful in your workflow - I mostly use it to reset the NativeScript app to its original state as demonstrated in the video.

Regards,
Tina Stancheva
Telerik

 

 

[Ian]

Hi Tina,

Your screencast looks OK. There is a difference to waht I experience, though. The first time I download a clean version of the Hello World app I see see the 'Sync completed successfully' message after the download has completed. Once I've introduced the coding error, however, I never see that message again. After I download a new version of the app, I see the activity time in the centre of the screen for a moment and then nothing. I then have to close the companion app down and restart it in order to proceed.

I was aware of the Reset on Restart option but changing it doesn't make any difference. I am running iOS 8.4 (not iOS 9) still. Not sure if that makes any difference?

Best regards, Ian

[Tina Stancheva]

Hello Ian,

I don't think the iOS version is causing this behavior. I tested on an iOS 8.3 on my side (I don't have 8.4 at the moment), but I still can't get the issue you observe. We will soon be releasing a new version of the iOS companion app - it might improve things for you. Also, if you have a different device, can you try this behavior in it - I am wondering whether this issue has anything to do with the installation on your specific device. You can also try removing and reinstalling the app altogether from your device.

At this stage, since I cannot replicate the issue I am not sure how to further assist you get over. Please let me know if you can reproduce it on a different device or if you can wait to test this behavior with the next version of the app.

Regards,
Tina Stancheva
Telerik

 

 

[Ian]

Hi Tina,

Thanks for your continuing assistance. I did try installing the iOS companion app before and I have re-installed it again this morning but I still never see the 'Sync completed successfully' message appear after downloading my {N} app. Do you know when the new version of the companion app will be available?

Regards, Ian

 

 

[Ian]

Hi Tina,

I'm pleased to report that since updating to iOS companion app v2.14.1, the problem I reported has disappeared. Thanks for your help.

Regards, Ian

[Tina Stancheva]

Hello Ian,

Thanks for updating this thread. I am happy to see the issue was resolved - I suppose you're using the external beta build of the companion app. The NativeScript 2.14.1 official version will be hopefully out in a week - it is already submitted for review.

Regards,
Tina Stancheva
Telerik

 

 

[Tina Stancheva]

Hello Ian,

Thank you for writing back with an update. I am happy to see that the latest version of the NativeScript companion app works as expected on your side.

For the community I only want to share that Ian has tested the beta version of the app. The official version is currently in review and it should be out next week at the latest.

Regards,
Tina Stancheva
Telerik

 

 

[Ian]

Hi Tina,

Yes, I did use a test version of the v2.14.1 companion app. It seems to run a little quicker than the previous version as well.

Regards, Ian