Where is Info.plist in Xcode 13? (missing, not inside project navigator)

Question

Has anyone figured out how to add/edit values in the Info.plist of Xcode 13 yet? I see they moved the Info.plist from the navigator pane... but although I can find it, I'm not sure how to edit it.

Answer 1

It's a "feature."

You don't need it anymore. From the Release Notes:

Projects created from several templates no longer require configuration files such as entitlements and Info.plist files. Configure common fields in the target’s Info tab, and build settings in the project editor. These files are added to the project when additional fields are used. (68254857)

So, instead of inside Info.plist, edit properties like NSCameraUsageDescription here:

Project -> Targets -> Info -> Custom iOS Target Properties

The first time you add/edit, Xcode will automatically generate a new Info.plist file that’s kind of synced¹ with Custom iOS Target Properties. Xcode will later merge them for you.

^{[1]: They’re not fully synced. Some properties like NSCameraUsageDescription will only appear in Custom iOS Target Properties, while Application requires iPhone environment will appear in both. I have no idea how Xcode determines this.}

---

Want Info.plist back, completely?

You might want all of your app's properties in one place. Or maybe you don't trust Xcode with the merging. I spoke with an Apple engineer at WWDC21 about this... here's how to get the classic Info.plist back.

1. Create a new "Property List" file (File -> New -> File)

2. Name it Info.plist

3. Copy and paste the existing values from Project -> Targets -> Info -> Custom iOS Target Properties to Info.plist.

Copy	Paste

Note: Currently you can only select and copy 1 row at a time. If you want to save some time, here are the default contents in XML format. To use this, right-click Info.plist -> Open As -> Source Code, then paste.

4. Copy the path to Info.plist in the attributes inspector.

5. Paste the path here:

Project -> Targets -> Build Settings -> Info.plist File

6. Set Generate Info.plist File to No

7. Last step. Remove Info.plist from Copy Bundle Resources (select, then press the - button).

Project -> Targets -> Build Phases -> Copy Bundle Resources

Yep, that was a lot. But whether you want classic Info.plist or not is up to you — both are fine and won't change your app.