When I used to do Migrations, I always used ETL and then push to a dev system to review/test before going production.
The migration support is SwiftData is fine for a little tweak.
I might as well just just use new schema and context and write the custom code than use the SwiftData migration support.
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I want to get to a point where I can use a small view with a query for my SwiftData model like this:
@Query
private var currentTrainingCycle: [TrainingCycle]
init(/*currentDate: Date*/) {
_currentTrainingCycle = Query(filter: #Predicate<TrainingCycle> {
$0.numberOfDays > 0
// $0.startDate < currentDate && currentDate < $0.endDate
}, sort: \.startDate)
}
The commented code is where I want to go. In this instance, it'd be created as a lazy var in a viewModel to have it stable (and not constantly re-creating the view). Since it was not working, I thought I could check the same view with a query that does not require any dynamic input. In this case, the numberOfDays never changes after instantiation.
But still, each time the app tries to create this view, the app becomes unresponsive, the CPU usage goes at 196%, memory goes way high and the device heats up quickly.
Am I holding it wrong? How can I have a dynamic predicate on a View in SwiftUI with SwiftData?
According to my experiments SwiftData does not work with model attributes of primitive type UInt64. More precisely, it crashes in the getter of a UInt64 attribute invoked on an object fetched from the data store.
With Core Data persistent UInt64 attributes are not a problem. Does anyone know whether SwiftData will ever support UInt64?
it seems that is going to the appstore to find the app to execute the share but my app is not in the appstore yet. I am using a sandboxed user and a non sandboxed user, I have tried real phones connected to xcode and simulator same effect, looking for how to test my ckshare in testflight thanks
In a CloudKit private database, the Owner creates a custom zone and performs the following actions:
Creates CKRecord1 with CKShare1 and invites Participant1 to it.
Creates CKRecord2 with CKShare2 and invites Participant2 to it.
Creates CKRecordShared, which should be accessible to both Participant1 and Participant2.
How can I achieve step 3?
I observed that:
Setting a regular reference from CKRecord1 (or CKRecord2) to CKRecordShared does not automatically make CKRecordShared accessible to Participant1 (or Participant2).
CKRecordShared can only have one parent, so it cannot be directly linked via parent reference to both Participant1 and Participant2 at the same time.
One potential solution I see is to have the Owner create a separate CKShare for CKRecordShared and share it explicitly with each participant. However, this approach could lead to user errors, as it requires careful management of multiple shares for each participant.
Is there a better way to handle this scenario, ensuring that CKRecordShared is accessible to multiple participants without introducing unnecessary complexity or potential errors?
I am trying out the new AttributedString binding with SwiftUI’s TextEditor in iOS26. I need to save this to a Core Data database. Core Data has no AttributedString type, so I set the type of the field to “Transformable”, give it a custom class of NSAttributedString, and set the transformer to NSSecureUnarchiveFromData
When I try to save, I first convert the Swift AttributedString to NSAttributedString, and then save the context. Unfortunately I get this error when saving the context, and the save isn't persisted:
CoreData: error: SQLCore dispatchRequest: exception handling request: <NSSQLSaveChangesRequestContext: 0x600003721140> , <shared NSSecureUnarchiveFromData transformer> threw while encoding a value. with userInfo of (null)
Here's the code that tries to save the attributed string:
struct AttributedDetailView: View {
@ObservedObject var item: Item
@State private var notesText = AttributedString()
var body: some View {
VStack {
TextEditor(text: $notesText)
.padding()
.onChange(of: notesText) {
item.attributedString = NSAttributedString(notesText)
}
}
.onAppear {
if let nsattributed = item.attributedString {
notesText = AttributedString(nsattributed)
} else {
notesText = ""
}
}
.task {
item.attributedString = NSAttributedString(notesText)
do {
try item.managedObjectContext?.save()
} catch {
print("core data save error = \(error)")
}
}
}
}
This is the attribute setup in the Core Data model editor:
Is there a workaround for this?
I filed FB17943846 if someone can take a look.
Thanks.
Hi,
I am creating (or trying to) my first app using SwiftData - and I have questions :-)
The main question I can't get my head wrapped around is the following:
Let's say I have the sample below...
@Model
class Person {
@Relationship(inverse:\Hat.owner) var hat:Hat
}
@Model
class Hat {
var owner:Person?
}
It looks like I am creating a strong reference cycle between the person and the hat objects? And in fact I am seeing these kinds of reference cycles when I look at the memory debugger.
Many code samples I have seen so far use this type of relationship declaration...
And I am wondering: Am I missing something?
Admittedly I don't find many discussions about memory leaks caused by SwiftData despite the syntax being used in many examples?
So what is the situation? Did Apple just miss to explain that the inverse: declaration causes memory leaks or is there some kind of magic that I should understand?
I'm using Swift Data for an app that requires iOS 18.
All of my models conform to a protocol that guarantees they have a 'serverID' String variable.
I wrote a function that would allow me to pass in a serverID String and have it fetch the model object that matched. Because I am lazy and don't like writing the same functions over and over, I used a Self reference so that all of my conforming models get this static function.
Imagine my model is called "WhatsNew". Here's some code defining the protocol and the fetching function.
protocol RemotelyFetchable: PersistentModel {
var serverID: String { get }
}
extension WhatsNew: RemotelyFetchable {}
extension RemotelyFetchable {
static func fetchOne(withServerID identifier: String, inContext modelContext: ModelContext) -> Self? {
var fetchDescriptor = FetchDescriptor<Self>()
fetchDescriptor.predicate = #Predicate<Self> { $0.serverID == identifier }
do {
let allModels = try modelContext.fetch(fetchDescriptor)
return allModels.first
} catch {
return nil
}
}
}
Worked great! Or so I thought...
I built this and happily ran a debug build in the Simulator and on devices for months while developing the initial version but when I went to go do a release build for TestFlight, that build reliably crashed on every device with a message like this:
SwiftData/DataUtilities.swift:65: Fatal error: Couldn't find \WhatsNew. on WhatsNew with fields [SwiftData.Schema.PropertyMetadata(name: "serverID", keypath: \WhatsNew., defaultValue: nil, metadata: Optional(Attribute - name: , options: [unique], valueType: Any, defaultValue: nil, hashModifier: nil)), SwiftData.Schema.PropertyMetadata(name: "title", keypath: \WhatsNew., defaultValue: nil, metadata: nil), SwiftData.Schema.PropertyMetadata(name: "bulletPoints", keypath: \WhatsNew.)>, defaultValue: nil, metadata: nil), SwiftData.Schema.PropertyMetadata(name: "dateDescription", keypath: \WhatsNew., defaultValue: nil, metadata: nil), SwiftData.Schema.PropertyMetadata(name: "readAt", keypath: \WhatsNew.)>, defaultValue: nil, metadata: nil)]
It seems (cannot confirm) that something in the release build optimization process is stripping out some metadata / something about these models that makes this predicate crash.
Tested on iOS 18.0 and 18.1 beta.
How can I resolve this? I have two dozen types that conform to this protocol. I could manually specialize this function for every type myself but... ugh.
If use a SortDescriptor for a model and sort by some attribute from a relationship, in DEBUG mode it all works fine and sorts. However, in release mode, it is an instant crash.
SortDescriptor(.name, order: .reverse) ---- works
SortDescriptor(.assignedUser?.name, order: .reverse) ---- works in debug but crash in release.
What is the issue here, is it that SwiftData just incompetent to do this?
I am attempting to migrate a cloudkit module that calls on manual cloudkit methods for fetching record zone changes, modifying records, etc to one that utilizes CKSyncEngine. I've got a basic implementation working with just a create method for one of my data models, however it seems like the sync engine keeps calling sync events on the same pending changes.
Here is my current flow:
The user will hit some button that lets them fill out a form to create a data model.
The user saves the form. This triggers a method that takes the resulting data model and queues it to the sync engine's state (engine.state.add(pendingRecordZoneChanges: pendingChanges)
I have my delegate method nextRecordZoneChangeBatch(_ context:...) implemented where it fetches the corresponding data model using the record ID and returns a batch containing the corresponding populated record from the data model.
I have the handleEvent(_ event:...) delegate method implemented where I handle both .fetchRecordZoneChanges and .sentRecordZoneChanges. I have set up .sentRecordZoneChanges to merge the server record into my local record (and persisted locally) so that the record change tags are the same.
After this last portion, it seems that the sync engine continues to keep pushing syncs/updates and I end up with numerous handleEvent(_ event:) calls that keep returning savedRecords (and occasionally failedRecordSaves).
Am I missing some step to remove the record from the changes after the sync engine recognizes that I have properly saved the record to the server?
Hello Apple Team,
We are looking at developing an iOS feature on our current development that stores user-generated images as CKAssets in the public CloudKit database, with access control enforced by our app’s own logic (not CloudKit Sharing as that has a limit of 100 shares per device). Each story or post is a public record, and users only see content based on buddy relationships handled within the app.
We’d like to confirm that this pattern is consistent with Apple’s best practices for social features. Specifically:
Is it acceptable to store user-uploaded CKAssets in the public CloudKit database, as long as access visibility is enforced by the app?
Are there any performance or quota limitations (e.g., storage, bandwidth, or user sync limits) that apply to CKAssets in the public database when used at scale?
Would CloudKit Sharing be recommended instead, even if we don’t require user-to-user sharing invitations?
For App Review, is this model (public CKAssets + app-enforced access control) compliant with Apple’s data and security expectations?
Are there any caching or bandwidth optimization guidelines for handling image-heavy public CKAsset data in CloudKit?
Thanks again for your time
Hello Apple Team,
We’re building a CloudKit-enabled Core Data app and would like clarification on the behavior and performance characteristics of Binary Data attributes with “Allows External Storage” enabled when used with NSPersistentCloudKitContainer.
Initially, we tried storing image files manually on disk and only saving the metadata (file URLs, dimensions, etc.) in Core Data. While this approach reduced the size of the Core Data store, it introduced instability after app updates and broke sync between devices. We would prefer to use the official Apple-recommended method and have Core Data manage image storage and CloudKit syncing natively.
Specifically, we’d appreciate guidance on the following:
When a Binary Data attribute is marked as “Allows External Storage”, large image files are stored as separate files on device rather than inline in the SQLite store.
How effective is this mechanism in keeping the Core Data store size small on device?
Are there any recommended size thresholds or known limits for how many externally stored blobs can safely be managed this way?
How are these externally stored files handled during CloudKit sync?
Does each externally stored Binary Data attribute get mirrored to CloudKit as a CKAsset?
Does external storage reduce the sync payload size or network usage, or is the full binary data still uploaded/downloaded as part of the CKAsset?
Are there any bandwidth implications for users syncing via their private CloudKit database, versus developer costs in the public CloudKit database?
Is there any difference in CloudKit or Core Data behavior when a Binary Data attribute is managed this way versus manually storing image URLs and handling the file separately on disk?
Our goal is to store user-generated images efficiently and safely sync them via CloudKit, without incurring excessive local database bloat or CloudKit network overhead.
Any detailed guidance or internal performance considerations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Paul Barry
Founder & Lead Developer — Boat Buddy / Vessel Buddy iOS App
Archipelago Environmental Solutions Inc.
Is there a way to view the data saved when using swiftdata? Even after deleting all models, the storage space taken up by the app in Settings is too large.
Hi,
I did cloudkit synchronization using swiftdata.
However, synchronization does not occur automatically, and synchronization occurs intermittently only when the device is closed and opened.
For confirmation, after changing the data in Device 1 (saving), when the data is fetched from Device 2, there is no change.
I've heard that there's still an issue with swiftdata sync and Apple is currently troubleshooting it, is the phenomenon I'm experiencing in the current version normal?
I'm running a project with these settings:
Default Actor Isolation: MainActor
Approachable Concurrency: Yes
Strict Concurrency Checking: Complete (this issue does not appear on the other two modes)
I receive a warning for this very simple use case. Can I actually fix anything about this or is this a case of Core Data not being entirely ready for this?
In reference to this, there was a workaround listed in the release notes of iOS 26 beta 5 (https://forums.swift.org/t/defaultisolation-mainactor-and-core-data-background-tasks/80569/22). Does this still apply as the only fix for this?
This is a simplified sample meant to run on a background context. The issue obviously goes away if this function would just run on the MainActor, then I can remove the perform block entirely.
class DataHandler {
func createItem() async {
let context = ...
await context.perform {
let newGame = Item(context: context)
/// Main actor-isolated property 'timestamp' can not be mutated from a Sendable closure
newGame.timestamp = Date.now
// ...
}
}
}
The complete use case would be more like this:
nonisolated
struct DataHandler {
@concurrent
func saveItem() async throws {
let context = await PersistenceController.shared.container.newBackgroundContext()
try await context.perform {
let newGame = Item(context: context)
newGame.timestamp = Date.now
try context.save()
}
}
}
I'm trying to handle the serverRecordChanged return code you get in CKError when you have a conflict and your using the savePolicy of ifServerRecordUnchanged.
According to the CKError.Code.serverRecordChanged documentation, I should be receiving all three records that I need to do a 3-way merge. The problem is that the ancestorRecord (CKRecordChangedErrorAncestorRecordKey can also be used to look it up in the userInfo) doesn't actually contain a record. It only contains the record metadata.
Is there something I need to be doing to get the full ancestorRecord in the CKError?
If not is it possible to query iCloud for the ancestorRecord? Given that iCloud has the change history (as I understand it), then it is theoretically possible. I just don't know how to do it if it is possible.
Are 3-way merges even possible? The design of the serverRecordChanged looks like that is the intent, but I can't see how to do it with the data that CloudKit is providing.
SwiftData ModelContainer instances don't seem to have a value for setting the Data Protection class.
Is the best way to set that by setting the Data Protection in the app capabilities? Is that the only way?
I have a need for log data that would be "Complete unless open" and user data that would be "Complete", but how do I change one of the containers data protection class?
I'm a first time developer for Swift, (getting on a bit!) but after programming in VB back in the late 90s I wanted to write an app for iPhone. I think I might have gone about it the wrong way, but I've got an app that works great on my iPhone or works great on my iPad. It saves the data persistently on device, but, no matter how much I try, what I read and even resorting to AI (ChatGPT & Gemini) I still can't get it to save the data on iCloud to synchronise between the two and work across the devices. I think it must be something pretty fundamental I'm doing (or more likely not doing) that is causing the issue.
I'm setting up my signing and capabilities as per the available instructions but I always get a fatal error. I think it might be something to do with making fields optional, but at this point I'm second guessing myself and feeling a complete failure. Any advice or pointers would be really gratefully appreciated. I like my app and would like eventually to get it on the App Store but at this point in time I feel it should be on the failed projects heap!
I've even tried a new Xcode project for iOS and asking it to use SwiftData and CloudKit - the default project should work - right? But it absolutely doesn't for me. Please send help!!
I have an Apple app that uses SwiftData and icloud to sync the App's data across users' devices. Everything is working well. However, I am facing the following issue:
SwiftData does not support public sharing of the object graph with other users via iCloud. How can I overcome this limitation without stopping using SwiftData?
Thanks in advance!
I'm using NSPersistentCloudKitContainer to save, edit, and delete items, but it only works half of the time. When I delete an item and terminate the app and repoen, sometimes the item is still there and sometimes it isn't. The operations are simple enough:
moc.delete(thing)
try? moc.save()
Here is my DataController. I'm happy to provide more info as needed
class DataController: ObservableObject {
let container: NSPersistentCloudKitContainer
@Published var moc: NSManagedObjectContext
init() {
container = NSPersistentCloudKitContainer(name: "AppName")
container.loadPersistentStores { description, error in
if let error = error {
print("Core Data failed to load: \(error.localizedDescription)")
}
}
#if DEBUG
do {
try container.initializeCloudKitSchema(options: [])
} catch {
print("Error initializing CloudKit schema: \(error.localizedDescription)")
}
#endif
moc = container.viewContext
}
}