First App.
Your learning space A little progress, every day
EXTRA LESSONAfter Apple enrolment

Add iCloud syncing

iCloud can quietly keep one person’s information in step across their Apple devices. Codex needs to prepare both the saved data and the project’s Apple settings.

In Xcode8 min read & do
By the end of this lesson

Save a record into an app configured for private iCloud syncing.

Before you begin

Complete Apple enrolment first. Keep a copy of important local information before changing how it is saved.

The first iCloud setup and sync can take longer than the reading time.

Let’s do this

  1. 1
    In Codex

    Keep a working copy first

    Save a working checkpoint and use sample data. Ask Codex to check whether your current SwiftData model supports CloudKit. CloudKit is the part of iCloud that stores app records. Some model rules need adapting before syncing works.

  2. 2
    In Xcode

    Turn on the correct capabilities

    Select your app target → Signing & Capabilities and choose the enrolled team. Click + Capability → iCloud, enable CloudKit and create or select a container for this app. A container keeps this app’s iCloud records together. Note its identifier.

  3. 3
    In Xcode

    Let iCloud update the app quietly

    Add Background Modes and switch on Remote notifications, so iCloud can tell your app when something has changed. Then ask Codex to check three things against Apple’s current guide: the app’s entitlements, which are its signed permissions; the container you just chose; and the way your saved data is set up.

  4. 4
    On your iPhone

    Run with an Apple Account

    Use a test device signed into iCloud with iCloud Drive enabled. Build and run the app, add a sample record and check it remains after closing and reopening. Ask Codex to confirm the development container is receiving the expected record types. You will test a second device next.

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

Add private iCloud syncing to my first iPhone app using SwiftData and CloudKit. First inspect the existing model and plan a safe migration from local data. Check CloudKit-compatible relationships and defaults. Guide me through iCloud/CloudKit, its container and Background Modes → Remote notifications in Xcode. Explain signed permissions and test with sample data. Handle no iCloud account and sync failures without losing local work.

Make this message fit your idea.

What you should see

A sample record saves successfully with the intended iCloud container configured. You are ready to test a second device.

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.

Sync using SwiftData and iCloudConfigure iCloud in Xcode