Proper way to use IOKit in iOS app?

Question

Created Jun ’24

Replies 6

Boosts 1

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Hello, forum, I'm trying to build connection between a non-MFi HID device (like keyboard) and iOS app with IOKit and Swift.

Thanks to this post, I have manage to import the IOKit into objc header.

IOKit on iOS/iPadOS 16.0+

#import <IOKit/IOKitLib.h>

However, I have this compiler error when I try to imitate same methods in the SerialPortSaple project from following article, but the IOKit can not be imported to Swift at first place.

Cannot find type 'io_iterator_t' in scope.png

Communicating with a Modem on a Serial Port

The screen shot of the sample project:

It looks like the complier unable to reach the io_object_t type somehow, is there any workaround or approach?

Answered by DTS Engineer in 790241022

I/O Kit on non-Mac platforms is only rated for talking to a DriverKit driver. You can’t use it to talk to generic hardware. Moreover:

DriverKit is only supported on iPadOS, not iOS.
The DriverKit driver controls whether your app can use it, via the entitlements listed here.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

Boost

Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jun ’24

Accepted Answer

Recommended

I/O Kit on non-Mac platforms is only rated for talking to a DriverKit driver. You can’t use it to talk to generic hardware. Moreover:

DriverKit is only supported on iPadOS, not iOS.
The DriverKit driver controls whether your app can use it, via the entitlements listed here.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

2

Answer 2

Rimbaud OP

Jun ’24

Thanks @DTS Engineer ! So there are no other alternatives besides the MFi program if I want to build communication over USB-C for iOS and a keyboard HID device?"

1

Answer 3

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jun ’24

So there are no other alternatives besides the MFi program if I want to build communication over USB-C for iOS and a keyboard HID device?

On iOS (as opposed to iPadOS) there are only two ways to work with accessories over USB:

If the accessory is supported by iOS itself, you can use high-level APIs to work with it. For example, you can work with a keyboard using both UIKit and Game Controller framework.
If not, your only option is MFi. Last I checked that requires you to build your accessory to support MFi.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

2

Answer 4

Rimbaud OP

Jun ’24

On iOS (as opposed to iPadOS) there are only two ways to work with accessories over USB:

Thanks eskimo, your reply is pretty straightforward and that's what I need!

Last I checked that requires you to build your accessory to support MFi.

Yes, and the previous accessory was released successfully, appreciate that :-)

We're planning our new module for USB-C iPhone, and I need to evaluate every possibility for bridging an iOS device and our new barcode reader for our team, just some context :))

1

Answer 5

merati22 OP

Oct ’24

Hi! is there any new update about comminucating between typc-c iphone and modules?

0

Answer 6

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Oct ’24

See Kevin’s answer on the the new thread that you opened about this.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

0