FileMaker iOS App SDK QuickStart

Doesn't everyone want to build an app these days? How about you? Is building a native looking iOS app on your agenda? Wouldn't it be easier if your user's didn't have to learn the FileMaker Go UI and could simply tap your own custom solution icon when using an iOS device?

If the answer is yes, then your wait is over. In the first quarter of 2016, FileMaker, Inc. quietly released their iOS App SDK for FileMaker. This Xcode based toolkit enables anyone, with the willingness to learn, the ability to create a native looking iOS App using FileMaker Pro.

At its heart, you're simply wrapping the FileMaker Go product around your files and then able to run your app as its own process with its own sandbox. This becomes a big benefit when it comes to distributing your FileMaker solution.

All of your standard FileMaker functionality is still available to you. It really is a very empowering technical solution. You can rapidly build a very functional solution and be ready to deploy on any iOS device.

In this video, I walk through the steps necessary to get up and running quickly with Xcode and the iOS App SDK for FileMaker. You can start testing your files via Xcode's built in Simulator app within record time.

External links

Comments

Hey Matt - I watched the Claris Engage Keynote this morning and they say they're serious about making it easier for FM users to create and share solutions to business problems. They make a big deal about FM allowing users to build custom apps and use them on iOS - but you rightly point out that to require users to also download FM Go as well is a giant pain. Have you heard anything about Claris doing anything to make it EASIER for citizen developers to create a 'real' iOS app? Your video shows a TON of steps required.

Posted by: fred illies
Tue, 08/04/2020 - 3:42pm