How to properly embed 3rd party .dylib files in iOS app project for App Store release?

Question

I am building an iOS app using PJSIP library with H264 support. When building H264, I get 1 .a file and 2 .dylib files. I tried to use the .dylibs in my project by adding as "Embedded Libraries" and also by creating a separate framework and then adding it to "Embedded Libraries". But when uploading build to App Store, I'm getting errors "ERROR ITMS-90206:...", "ERROR ITMS-90171:..". All points to using external dynamic libraries in project. I followed https://developer.apple.com/library/content/technotes/tn2435/_index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/DTS40017543-CH1-TROUBLESHOOTING_BUNDLE_ERRORS-EMBEDDED__DYLIB_FILES

But they are asking to follow steps in "Adding A Framework Target". I cant figure out how to create a framework with only 2 .dylib files and no other source code or header files. Please show the steps for embedding .dylib files into iOS app for App Store submission.

Answer 1

I was able to submit an app with a .dylib by creating a framework first. I tried the method described in the apple documentation, but got errors when submitting to the store ( "invalid bundle. the bundle at xyz.framework contains disallowed file 'Frameworks' )

I used the lipo tool to manually package my .dylib into a framework.

$ lipo -create mylib.dylib -output mylib

Now you get a binary file called 'mylib' Create a folder called mylib.framework and put the binary file in it. Then add an Info.plist ( you can just copy and modify one from an existing framework. ) In the Info.plist, fill out the fields for your framework. The main one to update or add is "Executable" which should be the name of that binary file.

I had another issue where another framework I was using was referencing my original .dylib, which is gone and now inside the framework. To fix this I used the "install_name_tool" to modify the other framework to look for my new framework.

$ cd OtherLib.framework 
$ install_name_tool -change @rpath/mylib.dylib @rpath/mylib.framework/mylib OtherLib

You can read more about that tool and modifying various paths in your libs in this good blog post: https://medium.com/@donblas/fun-with-rpath-otool-and-install-name-tool-e3e41ae86172

Answer 2

You must add and embed all your shared libraries (.dylib files) directly to the toplevel application the same way as frameworks. You mustn't put dylibs inside a framework because Apple strongly recommends not to use such frameworks (known as Umbrella frameworks) and doesn't accept applications with such frameworks to AppStore (it is a reason for error ITMS-90171).

As Apple documentation says:

An umbrella framework is a framework bundle that contains other frameworks. While it is possible to create umbrella frameworks for macOS apps, doing so is unnecessary for most developers and is not recommended. Umbrella frameworks are not supported on iOS, watchOS, or tvOS.