Creating a Swift app to delete non-favorited photos from the Apple Photos library on an iPad involves similar steps to developing for other iOS devices. However, there are some considerations and optimizations to ensure the app leverages the iPad’s larger screen and unique features effectively.
Below is a comprehensive guide tailored for developing and deploying this app on an iPad.
⚠️ Important Notice
Deleting photos is an irreversible action that can lead to data loss. Ensure you implement safeguards such as user confirmations, detailed warnings, and possibly a backup mechanism to prevent accidental deletions.
Table of Contents
2. Step 1: Create a New SwiftUI Project for iPad
3. Step 2: Configure App Permissions
4. Step 3: Import the Photos Framework
5. Step 4: Implement the Photo Deletion Logic
6. Step 5: Optimize the UI for iPad
7. Step 6: Testing the App on iPad
8. Step 7: Enhancements and Best Practices
10. Conclusion
Prerequisites
1. Mac with Xcode Installed: Ensure you have the latest version of Xcode installed on your Mac. Xcode is essential for developing, building, and deploying iOS apps to an iPad.
2. Apple Developer Account: While not strictly necessary for testing on a physical device via Xcode, having an Apple Developer account is required for App Store distribution.
3. iPad Device: For thorough testing, especially regarding Photos library access, use a physical iPad with a populated Photos library.
4. Basic Knowledge of Swift and SwiftUI: Familiarity with Swift programming and SwiftUI framework will help you follow along seamlessly.
Step 1: Create a New SwiftUI Project for iPad
1. Launch Xcode:
• Open Xcode on your Mac.
2. Create a New Project:
• Select File > New > Project from the menu.
• Choose App under the iOS section and click Next.
3. Configure Project Settings:
• Product Name: DeleteNonFavoritedPhotos
• Team: Select your Apple Developer team if you have one.
• Organization Identifier: Typically in reverse domain notation, e.g., com.yourname.
• Interface: Choose SwiftUI.
• Language: Swift.
• Lifecycle: SwiftUI App.
• Include Tests: As desired.
• Click Next and choose a location to save your project.
4. Set the Target Device to iPad:
• In Xcode, select your project in the Project Navigator.
• Under Targets, select your app.
• Go to the General tab.
• Under Deployment Info, set Devices to iPad or Universal if you want the app to support both iPhone and iPad.
Step 2: Configure App Permissions
To access and modify the Photos library, your app must request the appropriate permissions.
1. Open Info.plist:
• In the Project Navigator, locate and click on the Info.plist file.
2. Add Privacy Keys:
• Right-click and select Add Row or hover over an existing key and click the + button.
• Privacy – Photo Library Usage Description (NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription):
• Key: Privacy – Photo Library Usage Description
• Value: “This app requires access to your photo library to delete non-favorited photos.”
• Privacy – Photo Library Additions Usage Description (NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription):
• Key: Privacy – Photo Library Additions Usage Description
• Value: “This app may add photos to your library.”
Note: While NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription is not strictly necessary for deletion, it’s good practice to include it if your app might add photos in future enhancements.
Your Info.plist should look similar to:
<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app requires access to your photo library to delete non-favorited photos.</string>
<key>NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app may add photos to your library.</string>
Step 3: Import the Photos Framework
In your main SwiftUI view (typically ContentView.swift), import the Photos framework to access the Photos library.
import SwiftUI
import Photos
Step 4: Implement the Photo Deletion Logic
The core functionality involves:
1. Requesting Authorization: Access to the Photos library.
2. Fetching Photos: Retrieving all photos and identifying non-favorited ones.
3. Deleting Photos: Removing the identified photos upon user confirmation.
Detailed Implementation
Here’s how to implement each part:
1. Requesting Authorization
Use PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization to request access to the user’s Photos library.
func requestPhotoLibraryAccess() {
PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization { status in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.authorizationStatus = status
}
}
}
2. Fetching Photos
• All Photos: Fetch all image assets.
• Favorited Photos: Fetch photos marked as favorites (favorite == YES).
• Identify Non-Favorited Photos: Subtract favorited photos from all photos.
func fetchAssetsToDelete() {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
// Fetch all photos
let allPhotosOptions = PHFetchOptions()
allPhotosOptions.sortDescriptors = [NSSortDescriptor(key: “creationDate”, ascending: true)]
let allPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: allPhotosOptions)
// Fetch favorited photos
let favoritedOptions = PHFetchOptions()
favoritedOptions.predicate = NSPredicate(format: “favorite == YES”)
let favoritedPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: favoritedOptions)
// Create a Set of favorited photo IDs for quick lookup
var favoritedPhotoIDs = Set<String>()
favoritedPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
favoritedPhotoIDs.insert(asset.localIdentifier)
}
// Identify non-favorited photos
var assetsToDeleteTemp = [PHAsset]()
allPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
if !favoritedPhotoIDs.contains(asset.localIdentifier) {
assetsToDeleteTemp.append(asset)
}
}
// Update state and show confirmation
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.assetsToDelete = assetsToDeleteTemp
self.deletionInProgress = false
if !assetsToDeleteTemp.isEmpty {
self.showConfirmation = true
} else {
self.deletionResultMessage = “No non-favorited photos found to delete.”
}
}
}
3. Deleting Photos
Perform the deletion within a PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges block.
func performDeletion(assets: [PHAsset]) {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges({
PHAssetChangeRequest.deleteAssets(assets as NSFastEnumeration)
}) { success, error in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
deletionInProgress = false
if success {
deletionResultMessage = “Successfully deleted \(assets.count) non-favorited photos.”
} else {
deletionResultMessage = “Failed to delete photos: \(error?.localizedDescription ?? “Unknown error”)”
}
}
}
}
Step 5: Optimize the UI for iPad
iPad screens are larger, allowing for more complex and spacious UI layouts. You can enhance the user experience by leveraging iPad’s capabilities, such as using split views, popovers, or additional detail views. However, for simplicity, the following SwiftUI interface works well on both iPhone and iPad.
Sample UI Layout
struct ContentView: View {
@State private var authorizationStatus: PHAuthorizationStatus = .notDetermined
@State private var deletionInProgress = false
@State private var deletionResultMessage = “”
@State private var showConfirmation = false
@State private var assetsToDelete: [PHAsset] = []
var body: some View {
NavigationView {
VStack(spacing: 20) {
Text(“Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.largeTitle)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding()
if authorizationStatus == .authorized {
Button(action: {
fetchAssetsToDelete()
}) {
Text(deletionInProgress ? “Preparing to Delete…” : “Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.headline)
.foregroundColor(.white)
.padding()
.frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
.background(Color.red)
.cornerRadius(10)
}
.padding(.horizontal)
.disabled(deletionInProgress)
if !deletionResultMessage.isEmpty {
Text(deletionResultMessage)
.foregroundColor(.green)
.padding()
}
} else if authorizationStatus == .denied || authorizationStatus == .restricted {
Text(“Access to Photos is denied. Please enable it in Settings.”)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding()
} else {
Text(“Requesting access to Photos…”)
.padding()
.onAppear {
requestPhotoLibraryAccess()
}
}
}
.padding()
.navigationBarTitle(“Photo Cleaner”, displayMode: .inline)
.alert(isPresented: $showConfirmation) {
Alert(
title: Text(“Confirm Deletion”),
message: Text(“Are you sure you want to delete \(assetsToDelete.count) non-favorited photos? This action cannot be undone.”),
primaryButton: .destructive(Text(“Delete”)) {
performDeletion(assets: assetsToDelete)
},
secondaryButton: .cancel()
)
}
}
}
// Include previously defined functions here…
}
Key UI Enhancements for iPad
1. NavigationView: Provides a better navigation structure suitable for iPad’s larger screen.
2. Larger Fonts and Padding: Enhances readability and touch targets on iPad.
3. Button Styling: Utilizing full-width buttons (maxWidth: .infinity) makes them easier to interact with on larger screens.
4. Alert for Confirmation: Ensures users are fully aware of the deletion action.
5. Responsive Layout: The VStack and padding ensure the UI scales well on various iPad sizes and orientations.
Step 6: Testing the App on iPad
Testing is crucial to ensure your app works as intended on an actual iPad device.
1. Connect Your iPad to Your Mac
• Use a USB-C or Lightning cable to connect your iPad to your Mac.
2. Trust the Device
• On your iPad, you might need to trust the connected Mac. Follow the on-screen prompts to establish trust.
3. Select Your iPad as the Run Destination
• In Xcode, at the top toolbar, click on the device selector and choose your connected iPad.
4. Build and Run the App
• Click the Run button (▶️) in Xcode to build and deploy the app to your iPad.
• If prompted, allow Xcode to use your iPad for development.
5. Grant Photo Library Permissions
• Upon launching the app on your iPad, it will request access to your Photos library.
• Ensure you grant the necessary permissions to allow the app to function correctly.
6. Verify Functionality
• UI Layout: Check that the UI adapts well to the iPad’s screen size and orientation.
• Deletion Process: Test the deletion functionality carefully. Initially, you might want to work with a subset of photos to avoid accidental data loss.
• Error Handling: Ensure the app gracefully handles scenarios like denied permissions or deletion failures.
Tip: Use a test photo library or backup your photos before testing the deletion feature extensively.
Step 7: Enhancements and Best Practices
To ensure your app is user-friendly, safe, and robust, consider implementing the following enhancements and adhering to best practices:
1. User Confirmation and Safety
• Double Confirmation: Implement a two-step confirmation process to prevent accidental deletions.
// Example: Adding a secondary confirmation step
@State private var showFinalConfirmation = false
// In fetchAssetsToDelete()
self.assetsToDelete = assetsToDeleteTemp
if !assetsToDeleteTemp.isEmpty {
self.showConfirmation = true
}
// Modify the Alert to include final confirmation
.alert(isPresented: $showFinalConfirmation) {
Alert(
title: Text(“Final Confirmation”),
message: Text(“Are you absolutely sure you want to delete these photos?”),
primaryButton: .destructive(Text(“Delete”)) {
performDeletion(assets: assetsToDelete)
},
secondaryButton: .cancel()
)
}
2. Progress Indicators
• Activity Indicators: Show a loading spinner or progress bar during lengthy operations, especially when dealing with large photo libraries.
if deletionInProgress {
ProgressView(“Deleting photos…”)
.progressViewStyle(CircularProgressViewStyle())
.padding()
}
3. Partial Deletions and Batching
• Batch Processing: For very large numbers of photos, consider deleting in smaller batches to avoid performance issues or hitting system limits.
4. Handling Different Media Types
• Videos and Other Media: Extend functionality to handle videos or other media types if desired.
let allPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: [.image, .video], options: allPhotosOptions)
let favoritedPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: [.image, .video], options: favoritedOptions)
5. Informative Feedback
• Detailed Messages: Provide users with detailed feedback, such as which specific photos were deleted or how many remain.
• Undo Option: Although deletion is handled via the Photos app’s “Recently Deleted†folder, consider integrating an undo feature within your app.
6. Error Handling and Edge Cases
• Comprehensive Error Handling: Cover various error scenarios, such as network issues with iCloud Photos, insufficient permissions, or unexpected failures.
if let error = error {
// Handle specific errors
switch (error as NSError).code {
case PHPhotoLibrary.errorCodeAccessDenied.rawValue:
// Handle access denied
default:
// Handle other errors
}
}
7. Localization and Accessibility
• Localization: Support multiple languages to reach a broader audience.
• Accessibility: Ensure the app is accessible to users with disabilities by supporting VoiceOver, dynamic type, and sufficient contrast.
8. App Store Guidelines Compliance
• Privacy Policies: Clearly state how your app uses and handles user data.
• App Review: Ensure your app complies with all Apple App Store Review Guidelines to avoid rejection during the submission process.
Full Code Example
Below is the complete ContentView.swift incorporating all the discussed features and optimizations for iPad.
import SwiftUI
import Photos
struct ContentView: View {
@State private var authorizationStatus: PHAuthorizationStatus = .notDetermined
@State private var deletionInProgress = false
@State private var deletionResultMessage = “”
@State private var showConfirmation = false
@State private var assetsToDelete: [PHAsset] = []
var body: some View {
NavigationView {
VStack(spacing: 20) {
Text(“Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.largeTitle)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding()
if authorizationStatus == .authorized {
Button(action: {
fetchAssetsToDelete()
}) {
Text(deletionInProgress ? “Preparing to Delete…” : “Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.headline)
.foregroundColor(.white)
.padding()
.frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
.background(Color.red)
.cornerRadius(10)
}
.padding(.horizontal)
.disabled(deletionInProgress)
if deletionInProgress {
ProgressView(“Deleting photos…”)
.progressViewStyle(CircularProgressViewStyle())
.padding()
}
if !deletionResultMessage.isEmpty {
Text(deletionResultMessage)
.foregroundColor(.green)
.padding()
}
} else if authorizationStatus == .denied || authorizationStatus == .restricted {
VStack {
Text(“Access to Photos is denied.”)
.font(.headline)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding(.bottom, 10)
Text(“Please enable access in Settings to allow the app to delete non-favorited photos.”)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding(.horizontal)
Button(action: {
if let appSettings = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {
if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(appSettings) {
UIApplication.shared.open(appSettings)
}
}
}) {
Text(“Open Settings”)
.font(.headline)
.foregroundColor(.blue)
.padding()
.frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
.background(Color(UIColor.systemGray5))
.cornerRadius(10)
}
.padding(.horizontal)
}
} else {
Text(“Requesting access to Photos…”)
.padding()
.onAppear {
requestPhotoLibraryAccess()
}
}
}
.padding()
.navigationBarTitle(“Photo Cleaner”, displayMode: .inline)
.alert(isPresented: $showConfirmation) {
Alert(
title: Text(“Confirm Deletion”),
message: Text(“Are you sure you want to delete \(assetsToDelete.count) non-favorited photos? This action cannot be undone.”),
primaryButton: .destructive(Text(“Delete”)) {
performDeletion(assets: assetsToDelete)
},
secondaryButton: .cancel()
)
}
}
}
// Request Photo Library Access
func requestPhotoLibraryAccess() {
PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization { status in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.authorizationStatus = status
}
}
}
// Fetch Assets to Delete
func fetchAssetsToDelete() {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
// Fetch all photos
let allPhotosOptions = PHFetchOptions()
allPhotosOptions.sortDescriptors = [NSSortDescriptor(key: “creationDate”, ascending: true)]
let allPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: allPhotosOptions)
// Fetch favorited photos
let favoritedOptions = PHFetchOptions()
favoritedOptions.predicate = NSPredicate(format: “favorite == YES”)
let favoritedPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: favoritedOptions)
// Create a Set of favorited photo IDs for quick lookup
var favoritedPhotoIDs = Set<String>()
favoritedPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
favoritedPhotoIDs.insert(asset.localIdentifier)
}
// Identify non-favorited photos
var assetsToDeleteTemp = [PHAsset]()
allPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
if !favoritedPhotoIDs.contains(asset.localIdentifier) {
assetsToDeleteTemp.append(asset)
}
}
// Update state and show confirmation
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.assetsToDelete = assetsToDeleteTemp
self.deletionInProgress = false
if !assetsToDeleteTemp.isEmpty {
self.showConfirmation = true
} else {
self.deletionResultMessage = “No non-favorited photos found to delete.”
}
}
}
// Perform Deletion
func performDeletion(assets: [PHAsset]) {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges({
PHAssetChangeRequest.deleteAssets(assets as NSFastEnumeration)
}) { success, error in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
deletionInProgress = false
if success {
deletionResultMessage = “Successfully deleted \(assets.count) non-favorited photos.”
} else {
deletionResultMessage = “Failed to delete photos: \(error?.localizedDescription ?? “Unknown error”)”
}
}
}
}
}
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined above, you can create a robust SwiftUI app tailored for iPad that deletes non-favorited photos from the Apple Photos library. This app leverages the powerful Photos framework to manage photo assets and ensures user safety through confirmations and detailed feedback.
Key Takeaways
• User Safety: Implement multiple safeguards to prevent accidental deletions.
• UI Optimization: Tailor the user interface to take advantage of the iPad’s larger screen and unique capabilities.
• Permissions Handling: Properly request and handle Photos library permissions to ensure smooth functionality.
• Testing: Thoroughly test the app on an actual iPad to verify all functionalities and UI elements.
Next Steps
• App Store Deployment: If you plan to distribute the app via the App Store, follow Apple’s submission guidelines and consider beta testing with TestFlight.
• Feature Enhancements: Expand the app’s functionality to include features like selective deletions, backups, or integrating with cloud storage solutions.
• User Interface Improvements: Enhance the UI with more intuitive designs, animations, or accessibility features to improve user experience.
By adhering to best practices and focusing on user-centric design, your app can effectively manage users’ photo libraries while ensuring data safety and a seamless experience.
….
Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to creating a SwiftUI iPad app that deletes non-favorited photos from the Apple Photos library. This guide covers everything from setting up your project to implementing the deletion functionality and ensuring user safety.
Table of Contents
2. Step 1: Set Up a New SwiftUI Project for iPad
3. Step 2: Configure App Permissions
4. Step 3: Import the Photos Framework
5. Step 4: Implement the Photo Deletion Logic
6. Step 5: Design the User Interface (UI) for iPad
7. Step 6: Enhance User Safety and Experience
8. Step 7: Test the App on an iPad
9. Step 8: Finalize and Deploy
10. Conclusion
Prerequisites
Before diving into development, ensure you have the following:
1. Mac with Xcode Installed:
• Download Xcode: Xcode on the Mac App Store
• Ensure it’s the latest version to support the latest Swift and iOS features.
2. Apple Developer Account:
• Sign Up: Apple Developer Program
• Necessary for testing on physical devices and deploying to the App Store.
3. iPad Device:
• Preferably with a populated Photos library for testing.
• iPadOS version compatible with your Xcode and target deployment.
4. Basic Knowledge of Swift and SwiftUI:
• Familiarity with Swift programming language.
• Understanding of SwiftUI components and data flow.
Step 1: Set Up a New SwiftUI Project for iPad
1. Launch Xcode:
• Open Xcode on your Mac.
2. Create a New Project:
• Menu: File > New > Project…
• Template: Select App under the iOS tab.
• Click: Next
3. Configure Project Settings:
• Product Name: PhotoCleaner (or any preferred name)
• Team: Select your Apple Developer team.
• Organization Identifier: Typically in reverse domain notation (e.g., com.yourname).
• Interface: Select SwiftUI
• Language: Swift
• Lifecycle: SwiftUI App
• Click: Next
• Save Location: Choose a directory to save your project and click Create.
4. Set Deployment Target to iPad:
• Select Project: Click on the project name in the Project Navigator.
• Target: Select your app under the Targets section.
• General Tab:
• Deployment Info:
• Devices: Select iPad or Universal (supports both iPad and iPhone).
• Deployment Target: Choose the minimum iPadOS version you intend to support.
Step 2: Configure App Permissions
To access and modify the Photos library, your app must request the appropriate permissions.
1. Open Info.plist:
• In the Project Navigator, locate and click on Info.plist.
2. Add Privacy Keys:
• Right-Click: Inside Info.plist, right-click and select Add Row or hover to see the + button.
• Add NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription:
• Key: Privacy – Photo Library Usage Description
• Value: “This app requires access to your photo library to delete non-favorited photos.”
• Add NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription (Optional but recommended):
• Key: Privacy – Photo Library Additions Usage Description
• Value: “This app may add photos to your library.”
Note: While NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription isn’t strictly necessary for deletion, it’s good practice to include it, especially if you plan to expand functionality in the future.
Step 3: Import the Photos Framework
The Photos framework allows your app to interact with the user’s photo library.
1. Open ContentView.swift:
• Navigate to ContentView.swift in the Project Navigator.
2. Import Photos:
import SwiftUI
import Photos
Your file should now start with:
import SwiftUI
import Photos
struct ContentView: View {
// …
}
Step 4: Implement the Photo Deletion Logic
This step involves writing the core functionality: requesting permissions, fetching photos, identifying non-favorited photos, and deleting them.
1. Define State Variables
Add the following state variables within your ContentView struct to manage app state:
@State private var authorizationStatus: PHAuthorizationStatus = .notDetermined
@State private var deletionInProgress = false
@State private var deletionResultMessage = “”
@State private var showConfirmation = false
@State private var assetsToDelete: [PHAsset] = []
2. Request Photo Library Access
Implement a function to request access to the Photos library:
func requestPhotoLibraryAccess() {
PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization { status in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.authorizationStatus = status
}
}
}
3. Fetch Assets to Delete
Create a function to identify non-favorited photos:
func fetchAssetsToDelete() {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
// Fetch all image assets
let allPhotosOptions = PHFetchOptions()
allPhotosOptions.sortDescriptors = [NSSortDescriptor(key: “creationDate”, ascending: true)]
let allPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: allPhotosOptions)
// Fetch favorited photos
let favoritedOptions = PHFetchOptions()
favoritedOptions.predicate = NSPredicate(format: “favorite == YES”)
let favoritedPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: favoritedOptions)
// Create a set of favorited photo IDs for quick lookup
var favoritedPhotoIDs = Set<String>()
favoritedPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
favoritedPhotoIDs.insert(asset.localIdentifier)
}
// Identify non-favorited photos
var assetsToDeleteTemp = [PHAsset]()
allPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
if !favoritedPhotoIDs.contains(asset.localIdentifier) {
assetsToDeleteTemp.append(asset)
}
}
// Update state and show confirmation
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.assetsToDelete = assetsToDeleteTemp
self.deletionInProgress = false
if !assetsToDeleteTemp.isEmpty {
self.showConfirmation = true
} else {
self.deletionResultMessage = “No non-favorited photos found to delete.”
}
}
}
4. Perform Deletion
Implement a function to delete the identified photos:
func performDeletion(assets: [PHAsset]) {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges({
PHAssetChangeRequest.deleteAssets(assets as NSFastEnumeration)
}) { success, error in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
deletionInProgress = false
if success {
deletionResultMessage = “Successfully deleted \(assets.count) non-favorited photos.”
} else {
deletionResultMessage = “Failed to delete photos: \(error?.localizedDescription ?? “Unknown error”)”
}
}
}
}
Step 5: Design the User Interface (UI) for iPad
Create a user-friendly interface that leverages the iPad’s larger screen.
1. Structure the UI with NavigationView
Wrap your content in a NavigationView for better navigation and presentation.
NavigationView {
VStack(spacing: 20) {
// UI Components
}
.padding()
.navigationBarTitle(“Photo Cleaner”, displayMode: .inline)
}
2. Add UI Components
Within the VStack, add the following components:
• Title: Displays the app’s purpose.
• Delete Button: Initiates the deletion process.
• Progress Indicator: Shows deletion progress.
• Result Message: Displays success or error messages.
• Permission Denied View: Informs the user if access is denied.
3. Complete ContentView Implementation
Here’s the complete ContentView incorporating UI and functionality:
import SwiftUI
import Photos
struct ContentView: View {
@State private var authorizationStatus: PHAuthorizationStatus = .notDetermined
@State private var deletionInProgress = false
@State private var deletionResultMessage = “”
@State private var showConfirmation = false
@State private var assetsToDelete: [PHAsset] = []
var body: some View {
NavigationView {
VStack(spacing: 20) {
Text(“Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.largeTitle)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding()
if authorizationStatus == .authorized {
Button(action: {
fetchAssetsToDelete()
}) {
Text(deletionInProgress ? “Preparing to Delete…” : “Delete Non-Favorited Photos”)
.font(.headline)
.foregroundColor(.white)
.padding()
.frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
.background(Color.red)
.cornerRadius(10)
}
.padding(.horizontal)
.disabled(deletionInProgress)
if deletionInProgress {
ProgressView(“Deleting photos…”)
.progressViewStyle(CircularProgressViewStyle())
.padding()
}
if !deletionResultMessage.isEmpty {
Text(deletionResultMessage)
.foregroundColor(.green)
.padding()
}
} else if authorizationStatus == .denied || authorizationStatus == .restricted {
VStack {
Text(“Access to Photos is denied.”)
.font(.headline)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding(.bottom, 10)
Text(“Please enable access in Settings to allow the app to delete non-favorited photos.”)
.multilineTextAlignment(.center)
.padding(.horizontal)
Button(action: {
if let appSettings = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {
if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(appSettings) {
UIApplication.shared.open(appSettings)
}
}
}) {
Text(“Open Settings”)
.font(.headline)
.foregroundColor(.blue)
.padding()
.frame(maxWidth: .infinity)
.background(Color(UIColor.systemGray5))
.cornerRadius(10)
}
.padding(.horizontal)
}
} else {
Text(“Requesting access to Photos…”)
.padding()
.onAppear {
requestPhotoLibraryAccess()
}
}
}
.padding()
.navigationBarTitle(“Photo Cleaner”, displayMode: .inline)
.alert(isPresented: $showConfirmation) {
Alert(
title: Text(“Confirm Deletion”),
message: Text(“Are you sure you want to delete \(assetsToDelete.count) non-favorited photos? This action cannot be undone.”),
primaryButton: .destructive(Text(“Delete”)) {
performDeletion(assets: assetsToDelete)
},
secondaryButton: .cancel()
)
}
}
}
// Request Photo Library Access
func requestPhotoLibraryAccess() {
PHPhotoLibrary.requestAuthorization { status in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.authorizationStatus = status
}
}
}
// Fetch Assets to Delete
func fetchAssetsToDelete() {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
// Fetch all photos
let allPhotosOptions = PHFetchOptions()
allPhotosOptions.sortDescriptors = [NSSortDescriptor(key: “creationDate”, ascending: true)]
let allPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: allPhotosOptions)
// Fetch favorited photos
let favoritedOptions = PHFetchOptions()
favoritedOptions.predicate = NSPredicate(format: “favorite == YES”)
let favoritedPhotos = PHAsset.fetchAssets(with: .image, options: favoritedOptions)
// Create a Set of favorited photo IDs for quick lookup
var favoritedPhotoIDs = Set<String>()
favoritedPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
favoritedPhotoIDs.insert(asset.localIdentifier)
}
// Identify non-favorited photos
var assetsToDeleteTemp = [PHAsset]()
allPhotos.enumerateObjects { (asset, _, _) in
if !favoritedPhotoIDs.contains(asset.localIdentifier) {
assetsToDeleteTemp.append(asset)
}
}
// Update state and show confirmation
DispatchQueue.main.async {
self.assetsToDelete = assetsToDeleteTemp
self.deletionInProgress = false
if !assetsToDeleteTemp.isEmpty {
self.showConfirmation = true
} else {
self.deletionResultMessage = “No non-favorited photos found to delete.”
}
}
}
// Perform Deletion
func performDeletion(assets: [PHAsset]) {
deletionInProgress = true
deletionResultMessage = “”
PHPhotoLibrary.shared().performChanges({
PHAssetChangeRequest.deleteAssets(assets as NSFastEnumeration)
}) { success, error in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
deletionInProgress = false
if success {
deletionResultMessage = “Successfully deleted \(assets.count) non-favorited photos.”
} else {
deletionResultMessage = “Failed to delete photos: \(error?.localizedDescription ?? “Unknown error”)”
}
}
}
}
}
Step 6: Enhance User Safety and Experience
To prevent accidental deletions and improve user trust, implement the following enhancements:
1. Confirmation Alerts
Ensure users confirm their intent before deleting photos.
• Already Implemented: The .alert modifier in the NavigationView prompts users for confirmation.
2. Progress Indicators
Show visual feedback during lengthy operations.
• Already Implemented: ProgressView displays a spinner when deletionInProgress is true.
3. Handle Permission Denial Gracefully
Provide users with options to grant permissions if initially denied.
• Already Implemented: A button labeled “Open Settings†directs users to the app’s settings to modify permissions.
4. Provide Clear Feedback
Inform users about the success or failure of deletion operations.
• Already Implemented: deletionResultMessage displays relevant messages based on the operation’s outcome.
5. Accessibility Considerations
Ensure your app is accessible to all users.
• Dynamic Type: Use scalable fonts.
• VoiceOver: Ensure all interactive elements have descriptive labels.
• Contrast: Maintain sufficient color contrast for readability.
Note: While SwiftUI handles many accessibility features by default, always test your app with accessibility tools to ensure compliance.
Step 7: Test the App on an iPad
Thorough testing ensures your app functions correctly and safely.
1. Connect Your iPad to Your Mac
• Use: USB-C or Lightning cable.
• Trust Device: On your iPad, if prompted, trust the connected Mac.
2. Select Your iPad as the Run Destination
• In Xcode: At the top toolbar, click the device selector and choose your connected iPad.
3. Build and Run the App
• Click: The Run button (▶️) in Xcode.
• Monitor: Xcode will build the app and deploy it to your iPad.
• Grant Permissions: When the app launches, it will prompt for Photos library access. Grant the necessary permissions.
4. Verify Functionality
• UI Layout: Ensure the interface adapts well to the iPad’s screen size and orientation.
• Deletion Process:
• Test with Sample Photos: Initially, use a test set of photos to verify functionality without risking important data.
• Confirm Deletion: Ensure the confirmation alert appears and functions correctly.
• Check Results: After deletion, verify that only non-favorited photos are removed.
5. Handle Edge Cases
• No Non-Favorited Photos: Ensure the app informs the user appropriately.
• Permission Denied: Test the flow when users deny photo library access.
• Deletion Errors: Simulate errors (e.g., network issues if using iCloud Photos) to test error handling.
Safety Tip: Backup your iPad’s photos before extensive testing to prevent accidental data loss.
Step 8: Finalize and Deploy
Once testing is complete and the app functions as intended, prepare it for deployment.
1. Review App Store Guidelines
Ensure your app complies with Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines.
• Privacy: Clearly state how your app uses user data.
• Functionality: The app should perform its intended functions reliably.
• User Interface: Maintain a clean, intuitive, and responsive UI.
2. Optimize and Clean Code
• Refactor: Ensure your code is clean, well-organized, and commented where necessary.
• Remove Debugging Code: Eliminate any temporary or testing code used during development.
3. Create App Icons and Launch Screens
• App Icon: Design a distinctive app icon following Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines.
• Launch Screen: Create a simple and professional launch screen.
4. Test on Multiple Devices and iPad Models
• Different Screen Sizes: Ensure the app looks good on various iPad models (e.g., iPad Mini, iPad Pro).
• Orientation: Test both portrait and landscape modes.
5. Archive and Submit to the App Store
• Archive: In Xcode, select Product > Archive.
• Upload: Use the Organizer to upload your app to App Store Connect.
• App Store Connect:
• Create an App Record: Provide necessary information, including app name, description, keywords, and screenshots.
• Submit for Review: Follow the prompts to submit your app for Apple’s review process.
Note: The review process may take several days. Be prepared to address any feedback from Apple.
Conclusion
By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve created a SwiftUI iPad app that responsibly deletes non-favorited photos from the Apple Photos library. Here’s a recap of what you’ve accomplished:
• Project Setup: Initialized a new SwiftUI project tailored for iPad.
• Permissions Handling: Configured necessary permissions to access the Photos library.
• Core Functionality: Implemented logic to identify and delete non-favorited photos.
• User Interface: Designed an intuitive and responsive UI suitable for iPad.
• User Safety Enhancements: Added confirmation alerts and progress indicators to safeguard user data.
• Testing: Ensured the app functions correctly across different scenarios and device configurations.
• Deployment Preparation: Readied the app for submission to the App Store, adhering to Apple’s guidelines.
Key Takeaways
• User Safety First: Always prioritize user data safety, especially when performing irreversible actions like deletions.
• Clear Communication: Provide users with clear instructions, confirmations, and feedback to enhance trust and usability.
• Thorough Testing: Rigorously test your app across various scenarios to ensure reliability and robustness.
• Adhere to Guidelines: Follow Apple’s development and App Store guidelines to ensure smooth approval and deployment.
Next Steps
• Feature Enhancements: Consider adding functionalities like selective deletions, backup options, or integrating with cloud storage.
• User Feedback: Gather feedback from beta testers to further refine and improve the app.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest SwiftUI and iOS developments to enhance your app’s capabilities.
Congratulations on building your iPad app to manage and clean your Photos library! If you encounter any challenges or have further questions, feel free to seek assistance or consult Apple’s Developer Documentation.
Happy coding!