How to determine that user runs the app for the first time?

Question

I got a problem of my iOS app recently. In my app, an instruction view will appear at the first time of running, then hide from then on. How can I implement this effect?

Answer 1

Try to use this function:

- (BOOL) isFirstRun
{
  NSUserDefaults *defaults = [NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults];  
  if ([defaults objectForKey:@"isFirstRun"])
  {
    return NO;
  }

  [defaults setObject:[NSDate date] forKey:@"isFirstRun"];
  [[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] synchronize];  

  return YES;
}

Answer 2

In your app delegate check for a key in the user defaults (your own custom key, something like "AppWasAlreadyStartedPreviously"). If the key doesn't exist yet, it's the first run. You can show your instruction view and add the key to the user defaults. The next time the user starts the app you'll find the key in the user defaults and know that it's not the first run.

See the documentation of NSUserDefaults.