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Table of Contents

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Overview

The purpose of this plugin is to enable manipulation of native platform configuration files that are not supported out-of-the-box by Cordova/Phonegap CLI.

The plugin uses hook scripts to update iOS and Android platform configuration files based on custom data defined in config.xml.

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I dedicate a considerable amount of my free time to developing and maintaining this Cordova plugin, along with my other Open Source software. To help ensure this plugin is kept updated, new features are added and bugfixes are implemented quickly, please donate a couple of dollars (or a little more if you can stretch) as this will help me to afford to dedicate time to its maintenance. Please consider donating if you're using this plugin in an app that makes you money, if you're being paid to make the app, if you're asking for new features or priority bug fixes.

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Do I need it?

Manual editing of the platform configuration files in the platforms/ directory is one solution to setting of custom platform configuration. But this is not maintainable across multiple development machines or a CI environment where subsequent build operations may overwrite your changes.

This plugin reads custom preferences from config.xml, which can be committed to version control and therefore applied across multiple development machines, CI environments, and maintained between builds, even if a platform is removed and re-added.

However: recent versions of the Cordova/Phonegap CLI have added official support for <edit-config> and <config-file> blocks in the config.xml (previously they only worked in plugin.xml).

So if all you want to do is insert a block of native config or change a native preference, you probably don't need this plugin at all.

I hope that eventually the Cordova/Phonegap CLI will support all the functionality that this plugin provides and it can be retired.

Until then: there are still some operations that can be performed by this plugin which are not supported by the latest Cordova/Phonegap CLI versions. These include:

Important notes

Changes in cordova-custom-config@5

The recent release of cordova@7.0.0 has introduced backwardly-incompatible breaking changes to the structure of Android projects generated by Cordova.

Therefore a new major version of this plugin (v5) has been released to support these changes. Here are things to be aware of:

Remote build environments

This plugin is intended for the automated application of custom configuration to native platform projects in a local build environment.

This plugin WILL NOT WORK with remote ("Cloud") build environments that do not support the execution of this plugin's hook scripts. This includes:

If you are using another cloud-based Cordova/Phonegap build service and find this plugin doesn't work, the reason is probably also the same.

FWIW: if you are professionally developing Cordova/Phonegap apps, you are eventually going to find it preferable to build locally.

Installation

The plugin is registered as cordova-custom-config on npm (requires Cordova CLI 5.0.0+)

cordova-custom-config@4+ requires the plugin to be installed via the cordova-fetch mechanism in order to satisfy its package dependencies by installing it via npm.

Therefore a Cordova CLI version of cordova@7+ is required to install the plugin:

$ cordova plugin add cordova-custom-config

Or cordova@6.2+ if the --fetch option is specified explicitly:

$ cordova plugin add cordova-custom-config --fetch

Usage

The hook scripts included in this plugin are run after each platform prepare operation and apply preferences dictated by custom keys in the project config.xml file to the relevant platform config files. As such, all you need to do to "use" this plugin is include the relevant keys in your config.xml and the scripts will take care of the rest when you build your project.

IMPORTANT: As of cordova-custom-config@5, this plugin expects that custom configuration keys will be prefixed with <custom- in order to distinguish them from the Cordova configuration keys. For example, for a preference intended for this plugin to parse you should use <custom-preference> but for a preference intended for Cordova to parse you should use <preference>

NOTE: There are no run-time source files included in this plugin - it is simply a convenient package of hook scripts.

Removable preferences via backup/restore

By default, any changes made by this plugin to platform config files are irreversible - i.e. if you want to undo changes made by the plugin, you'll need to remove then re-add the Cordova platform, for example:

cordova platform rm android && cordova platform add android

However, if you want the changes made to be reversible, you can enable auto-backup/restore functionality by adding the following preference inside the top-level <widget> element of your config.xml:

<preference name="cordova-custom-config-autorestore" value="true" />

When the first prepare operation runs after the plugin is installed, it will make backup copies of the original configuration files before it makes any modifications. These backup copies are stored in plugins/cordova-custom-config/backup/ and will be restored before each prepare operation, allowing Cordova to make modifications and then the plugin to make further modifications after the prepare.

This means changes made by the plugin are reversible, so removing a custom element from the config.xml will remove it from the platform configuration file on the next prepare operation and uninstalling the plugin will restore the configuration files to their original state (before the plugin made any modifications).

Consequently, any manual changes made to the platform configuration files in platforms/ after installing the plugin will be overwritten by the plugin on the next prepare operation.

To prevent auto-restoring of backups and make manual changes to platform configuration files persist, remove the autorestore preference from the config.xml

Preferences

Preferences are set by defining a <custom-preference> element in the config.xml, e.g. <custom-preference name="android-launchMode" value="singleTop" />

  1. Preferences defined outside of the platform element will apply to all platforms
  2. Preferences defined inside a platform element will apply only to the specified platform
  3. Platform preferences take precedence over common preferences
  4. Platform-specific preferences must be prefixed with the platform name (e.g. name="ios-somepref") and be defined inside a platform element.

Config blocks

<custom-config-file> blocks allow platform-specific chunks of config to be defined as an XML subtree in the config.xml, which is then applied to the appropriate platform configuration file by the plugin.

  1. config-file elements MUST be defined inside a platform element, otherwise they will be ignored.
  2. config-file target attributes specify the target file to update. (AndroidManifest.xml or *-Info.plist)
  3. config-file parent attributes specify the parent element (AndroidManifest.xml) or parent key (*-Info.plist) that the child data will replace or be appended to.
  4. config-file elements are uniquely indexed by target AND parent for each platform.
  5. If there are multiple config-file's defined with the same target AND parent, the last config-file will be used
  6. Elements defined WITHIN a config-file will replace or be appended to the same elements relative to the parent element
  7. If a unique config-file contains multiples of the same elements (other than uses-permission elements which are selected by by the uses-permission name attribute), the last defined element will be retrieved.

Android

The plugin currently supports setting of custom config only in platforms/android/AndroidManifest.xml. For a list of possible manifest values see http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/manifest-intro.html

Android preferences

Note: cordova@6.4.0 adds support for <edit-config> blocks in config.xml, which enables you to achieve similar manipulation of Android preferences without needing this plugin.

Android namespace attribute

Important: In order to user the android: namespace in preferences within your config.xml, you must include the android namespace attribute on the root <widget> element. The namespace attribute fragment is:

xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

so your <widget> element should look something like:

<widget
    id="com.my.app"
    version="0.0.1"
    xmlns="http://www.w3.org/ns/widgets"
    xmlns:cdv="http://cordova.apache.org/ns/1.0"
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

XPath preferences

Android manifest preferences are set by using XPaths in the preference name to define which element attribute the value should be applied to.

The preference name should be prefixed with android-manifest then follow with an XPath which specifies the element and attribute to apple the value to.

For example:

<custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity/@android:launchMode" value="singleTask" />

This preference specifies that the launchMode attribute should be given a value of singleTask:

<activity android:launchMode="singleTask">

If your manifest contains other activities, you should specify the activity name in the XPath. Note that the activity name for Cordova 4.2.0 and below was "CordovaApp" whereas Cordova 4.3.0 and above is "MainActivity". For example:

<custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity[@android:name='MainActivity']/@android:launchMode" value="singleTask" />

If the attribute you are setting is on the root <manifest> element, just omit the element name and specify the attribute. For example:

<custom-preference name="android-manifest/@android:installLocation" value="auto" />

Android config blocks

For example:

<custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" parent="./application">
    <some-element />
</custom-config-file>

will result in AndroidManifest.xml with:

<manifest ...>
    <application ...>
        <some-element />
    </application>
</manifest>

NOTE: By default, if the specified parent element contains an existing child element of the same name as that defined in the XML subtree, the existing element will be overwritten. For example:

<custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml">
    <application android:name="MyApp" />
</custom-config-file>

will replace the existing <application> element(s).

To force the preservation (rather than replacement) of existing child elements, you can use the mode="add" attribute. So for the example above:

<custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" mode="add">
    <application android:name="MyApp" />
</custom-config-file>

will preserve the existing <application> element(s).

Android example

config.xml:

<platform name="android">
    <!-- custom preferences examples -->
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity/@android:windowSoftInputMode" value="stateVisible" />
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/@android:installLocation" value="auto" />
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/@android:hardwareAccelerated" value="false" />
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/@android:hardwareAccelerated" value="false" />
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity/@android:configChanges" value="orientation" />
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity/@android:theme" value="@android:style/Theme.Material" />

    <!-- specify activity name -->
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity[@android:name='MainActivity']/@android:launchMode" value="singleTask" />
    
    <!-- Delete an element -->
    <custom-preference name="android-manifest/application/activity[@android:name='DeleteMe']" delete="true" />


    <!-- These preferences are actually available in Cordova by default although not currently documented -->
    <custom-preference name="android-minSdkVersion" value="10" />
    <custom-preference name="android-maxSdkVersion" value="22" />
    <custom-preference name="android-targetSdkVersion" value="21" />

    <!-- Or you can use a custom-config-file element for them -->
    <custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" parent="/*">
        <uses-sdk android:maxSdkVersion="22" android:minSdkVersion="10" android:targetSdkVersion="21" />
    </custom-config-file>


    <!-- custom config example -->
     <custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" parent="/*">
        <supports-screens
            android:xlargeScreens="false"
            android:largeScreens="false"
            android:smallScreens="false" />

        <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS" android:maxSdkVersion="15" />
        <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS" />
    </custom-config-file>
    
    <!-- Add (rather than overwrite) a custom-config-file block -->
    <custom-config-file target="AndroidManifest.xml" parent="./" mode="add">
        <application android:name="customApplication"></application>
    </custom-config-file>
    
</platform>

iOS

iOS preferences

XCBuildConfiguration

.xcconfig files
CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY preferences

xcodefunc

For example:

<custom-preference name="ios-xcodefunc" func="addResourceFile">
    <arg type="String" value="src/content/image.png" flag="path" />
</custom-preference>

will add resource image.png from ./src/content (i.e. ../../src/content/image.png relative to ./platforms/ios/)

iOS config blocks

iOS project plist config blocks

iOS Precompile Header config blocks

iOS image resources

Purpose:

Usage:

iOS example

config.xml:

<platform name="ios">

    <!-- Set ENABLE_BITCODE to YES in XCode project file override NO value in /ios/cordova/build.xcconfig -->
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-ENABLE_BITCODE" value="YES" />

    <!-- Set deploy target SDKs for release and debug builds -->
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET" value="9.1" buildType="debug" quote="none" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET" value="7.0" buildType="release" />

    <!-- Custom code signing profiles (overriding those in /ios/cordova/*.xcconfig -->
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY" value="iPhone Developer: Dave Alden (8VUQ6DYDLL)" buildType="debug" xcconfigEnforce="true" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY[sdk=iphoneos*]" value="iPhone Developer: Dave Alden (8VUQ6DYDLL)" buildType="debug" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY[sdk=iphoneos9.1]" value="iPhone Developer: Dave Alden (8VUQ6DYDLL)" buildType="debug" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY" value="iPhone Distribution: Working Edge Ltd (556F3DRHUD)" buildType="release" xcconfigEnforce="false" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY[sdk=iphoneos*]" value="iPhone Distribution: Working Edge Ltd (556F3DRHUD)" buildType="release" />
    <custom-preference name="ios-XCBuildConfiguration-CODE\_SIGN\_IDENTITY[sdk=iphoneos9.1]" value="iPhone Distribution: Working Edge Ltd (556F3DRHUD)" buildType="release" />

    <!-- Add resource file by relative path -->
    <custom-preference name="ios-xcodefunc" func="addResourceFile">
        <arg type="String" value="src/content/image.png" flag="path" />
    </custom-preference>

   <!-- By default, merge with existing array values -->
   <custom-config-file parent="LSApplicationQueriesSchemes" target="*-Info.plist">
       <array>
           <string>myapp</string>
           <string>myapp2</string>
           <string>myapp3</string>
       </array>
   </custom-config-file>

   <!-- Explicitly merge with existing array values -->
   <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="UISupportedInterfaceOrientations" mode="merge" >
       <array>
           <string>UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait</string>
           <string>UIInterfaceOrientationPortraitUpsideDown</string>
       </array>
   </custom-config-file>

   <!-- Replace existing values -->
   <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="UISupportedInterfaceOrientations~ipad" mode="replace">
       <array>
           <string>UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait</string>
           <string>UIInterfaceOrientationPortraitUpsideDown</string>
       </array>
   </custom-config-file>

    <!-- Set background location mode -->
    <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="UIBackgroundModes">
        <array>
            <string>location</string>
        </array>
    </custom-config-file>

    <!-- Set message displayed when app requests constant location updates -->
    <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription">
        <string>This app requires constant access to your location in order to track your position, even when the screen is off.</string>
    </custom-config-file>

    <!-- Set message displayed when app requests foreground location updates -->
    <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription">
        <string>This app will now only track your location when the screen is on and the app is displayed.</string>
    </custom-config-file>

    <!-- Allow arbitrary loading of resources over HTTP on iOS9 -->
    <custom-config-file platform="ios" target="*-Info.plist" parent="NSAppTransportSecurity">
        <dict>
            <key>NSAllowsArbitraryLoads</key>
            <true/>
        </dict>
    </custom-config-file>
    
    <!-- Custom image asset catalog -->
    <custom-resource type="image" catalog="custom" src="resources/ios/custom-icons/back@1x.png" scale="1x" idiom="universal" />
    <custom-resource type="image" catalog="custom" src="resources/ios/custom-icons/back@2x.png" scale="2x" idiom="universal" />
    <custom-resource type="image" catalog="custom" src="resources/ios/custom-icons/back@3x.png" scale="3x" idiom="universal" />
</platform>

Plugin preferences

The plugin supports some preferences which are used to customise the behaviour of the plugin. These preferences should be placed at the top level (inside <widget>) rather than inside individual <platform> elements. Each preference name is prefixed with cordova-custom-config to avoid name clashes, for example:

<preference name="cordova-custom-config-autorestore" value="true" />

The following preferences are currently supported:

Log output

If you run the prepare operation with the --verbose command-line option, the plugin will output detail about the operations it's performing. Console messages are prefixed with cordova-custom-config: . For example:

cordova prepare ios --verbose

Example project

An example project illustrating use of this plugin can be found here: https://github.com/dpa99c/cordova-custom-config-example

TODO

See the TODO list for planned features/improvements.

Credits

Config update hook based on this hook by Diego Netto

License

================

The MIT License

Copyright (c) 2016 Working Edge Ltd.

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.