How to connect iOS device to local host.

davidbjames · 03-10-2011, 07:56 AM

Anyone know if it's possible to make HTTP connections to your local machine from a USB-connected (via XCode) iOS device? Rather critical if you plan on developing an API for your app (seems like a common scenario). I tried disabling WiFi hoping it would fall back on the computer's connection, but no go. <edit>I should explain that my computer and iOS device both use WiFi via Time Capsule. I want the device to hit my computer first, so it will fall back on local/virtual hosts</edit>

In the interim, I'm using the Simulator.

Hollance · 03-10-2011, 12:46 PM

Both the device and the server need to be on the same network, such as your home WiFi network.

Figure out what the IP address of the server is (for example, open Terminal and type "ifconfig") and put that in the URL that the app uses.

You have to use the IP address because you can't use a domain name unless you run your own DNS on the local network.

You also cannot use "localhost" because that only works for software that runs on the same machine (such as the Simulator), not for an app that runs on the device.

davidbjames · 03-11-2011, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollance

Both the device and the server need to be on the same network, such as your home WiFi network.

Figure out what the IP address of the server is (for example, open Terminal and type "ifconfig") and put that in the URL that the app uses.

You have to use the IP address because you can't use a domain name unless you run your own DNS on the local network.

You also cannot use "localhost" because that only works for software that runs on the same machine (such as the Simulator), not for an app that runs on the device.

Thanks Hollance. I totally spaced it that the device localhost (or virtual host) would loop back on itself. DOH. However, I also tried getting the IP address via ifconfig and that did not work. Also, I would have assumed that I could use my *static* IP (which I have from my service provider) but that didn't work either, even with the Firewall turned off. Kept getting "cannot connect to server" errors.