First App.
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EXTRA LESSONAfter Apple enrolment

Choose where information lives

Most first apps can keep information on the phone. Add an online service only when it does something your users actually need.

In Codex5 min read & do
By the end of this lesson

Choose one sensible home for your app’s information.

Let’s do this

  1. 1
    In Codex

    Start with one phone

    If each person uses the app on one phone and shares nothing, keep the local storage you already built. There is no new account or server bill. Plan an export or backup if losing the information would matter.

  2. 2
    In Codex

    Choose iCloud for one person’s Apple devices

    If someone wants the same private information on their own iPhone and iPad, use their existing Apple Account through iCloud. Follow the next two lessons. This route does not add an app password or a shared family database.

  3. 3
    In Codex

    Choose Supabase for separate users or sharing

    If different people need accounts and controlled access to shared records, take the Accounts & shared data lessons instead. Supabase supplies sign-in and an online database, which is an organised store of information. It adds ongoing checks and limits.

  4. 4
    In Codex

    Ask Codex to explain the choice

    Use the message below. Ask what happens without internet, when the app is deleted and when someone changes phone. Choose the smallest option that meets the main job. Avoid adding both online systems unless there is a clear reason.

Xcode capabilities library with iCloud selected.View larger
Apple’s example: optional: add iCloud to the app. Use your own project’s details.Screenshot source (opens a new tab)

A message for Codex

For my first iPhone app, for the people I want to help, whose main job is [describe the problem my app should solve] and features are [choose up to three small features], compare local SwiftData, private iCloud syncing and Supabase accounts/shared data. Ask who needs to see each record. Recommend the smallest fit and explain offline behaviour, deletion, backup, membership costs and free-plan limits. Do not add a service yet.

Make this message fit your idea.

What you should see

You can say where information lives, who can see it and whether the app needs an online service.

If you get stuck

Go at your own pace. There is no test to pass.

Checked 7 September 2026. Screens can change; the official guides below have the latest steps.

Saving data between launchesSync using SwiftData and iCloudSupabase pricing