XCTest: [UIApplication sharedApplication] is returning nil

Question

I have written a framework with all the utility(Common) functions in Objective-C. Since it is a framework, it does not have an App delegate file.

I have created an UIApplication class and have few utility methods in it.

@interface TestApplication : UIApplication
{
- (void)initialLockSetUp;
// more...
}

Now from my unit tests file, how can I test this "initialLockSetUp" method?
When I call (TestApplication*)[UIApplication sharedApplication], it is returning nil.

Have you tried changing the testing target? – saagarjha Sep 03 '15 at 23:37 — saagarjha, Sep 03 '15 at 23:37
Why would you need a subclass of `UIApplication`? – Patrick Lynch Sep 04 '15 at 00:56 — Patrick Lynch, Sep 04 '15 at 00:56

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 04 '15 at 01:03

If for some reason you need a UIApplication instance for your tests, the test host for your test target should be an application. You can then link your framework to that test target. Now [UIApplication sharedApplication] will return a valid UIApplication instance. The OS creates this instance when the app launches, so you won't be able to subclass it.

Here's a screenshot of the project settings:

XCTest: [UIApplication sharedApplication] is returning nil

1 Answers1