Why do I need to switch to the scene-based life cycle?
On September 14, 2026, Apple released Xcode 27, the new version of its tool for building iOS apps. Starting with Xcode 27, Apple requires apps to handle links and display screens by scene. Each window that displays your app’s screens is a scene. If a user opens multiple windows of your app on iPad, each window is its own scene. In the scene-based life cycle, SceneDelegate manages each scene separately, and in the SwiftUI app life cycle, SwiftUI does. In the app delegate life cycle, AppDelegate manages all of the app’s screens together as a single unit instead of scene by scene. Apps built with Xcode 27 or later must manage screens by scene, so those that use the app delegate life cycle fail to open. iOS apps that use the app delegate life cycle must therefore switch to the scene-based life cycle, including apps developed with React Native, Cordova-Ionic, Flutter, Expo, Unity, and Unreal. Apps that use the SwiftUI app life cycle already manage screens by scene and don’t need to switch. Android apps aren’t affected. Starting in April 2027, Apple also requires iOS apps uploaded to App Store Connect to be built with the iOS 27 SDK or later, which means Xcode 27 or later. Even if you still use Xcode 26, your app must switch to the scene-based life cycle before then to keep releasing updates. For details, see Apple’s iOS & iPadOS 27 Release Notes and its announcement, App Store submissions now open for the latest OS releases.What should I do if my app uses the app delegate life cycle?
If your iOS app uses the app delegate life cycle, complete the two steps below in order.Switch to the scene-based life cycle
To switch a native iOS app, follow Apple’s documentation, Transitioning to the UIKit scene-based life cycle. Depending on the platform version, apps developed with React Native, Cordova-Ionic, Flutter, Expo, Unity, or Unreal need a platform update before they can switch. For details, see Troubleshooting guides by platform below.Set up Airbridge deep links in SceneDelegate
If Airbridge deep links aren’t set up in SceneDelegate, deep linking doesn’t work, and Airbridge doesn’t collect deep link events. Complete this setup after you switch to the scene-based life cycle. The setup method depends on your Airbridge SDK version, and some versions require an SDK update. For details, see Troubleshooting guides by platform below.Troubleshooting guides by platform
Find detailed steps in the troubleshooting guide that matches your platform and Airbridge SDK version.FAQ
Can I skip the switch to the scene-based life cycle if I keep using Xcode 26?
Can I skip the switch to the scene-based life cycle if I keep using Xcode 26?
You can upload apps built with Xcode 26 to App Store Connect only before April 2027. To keep releasing updates, switch your app to the scene-based life cycle before then.
When do I need to switch to the scene-based life cycle?
When do I need to switch to the scene-based life cycle?
Before you build your app with Xcode 27 or later. Xcode 27 was released on September 14, 2026, and is already available. If you’re building your app with Xcode 27, switch right away.To keep submitting to the App Store, you must switch before April 2027. Starting in April 2027, App Store Connect accepts only apps built with the iOS 27 SDK or later, which means Xcode 27 or later. For details, see Apple’s announcement, App Store submissions now open for the latest OS releases.