How to integrate a continuous integration system for automated testing and building of iOS projects via Xcode Cloud?

Xcode Cloud is a built-in cloud-based continuous integration service from Apple, created specifically for iOS developers. It automates app building, testing, and distribution processes without the need to set up complex third-party servers.

The first step for configuration is opening your project directly in Xcode and switching to the version control reporting tab. There you select the option to create a new workflow for cloud automation.

In the workflow settings, you define trigger conditions. A build can be triggered automatically every time a new commit is made to the repository, when changes are pushed to a specific branch, or on a scheduled basis at night.

Next, you configure the actions that the cloud server should execute. This can be running unit tests on simulators of various iPhone models, archiving the project, and sending the built version to beta testers via the internal TestFlight service.

For successful cloud builds, you need to properly configure code signing certificates and provisioning profiles. Xcode Cloud can automatically manage them through your Apple Developer Program account.