Localize an iPhone App

In doing localization work, I found several useful links, but this is the most concise:

Localization Guide for iPhone Applications, built with Apple Xcode

The main points are:

1. Extract strings from your xib files: [sourcecode lang=”cpp”]ibtool –generate-strings-file Example.strings en.lpoj/Example.xib[/sourcecode]
2. Extract strings from your code: [sourcecode lang=”cpp”]genstrings -o en.lproj *.m[/sourcecode]
3. Get those translated (or translate them yourself)
4. For the files from step 2, put them in an appropriately named dir (e.g., French -> fr.lproj – see lang codes).
5. Add the new language dirs to your project. (see note below)
6. For the files from step 1, create localized xib files: [sourcecode lang=”cpp”]ibtool –strings-file fr.lproj/Example.strings -write fr.lproj/Example.xib en.lproj/Example.xib[/sourcecode]
7. Put the new xib files in your project

NOTE: One thing that stumped me was that the en.lproj and fr.lproj seemed to be able to be anywhere. Xcode/the app pick up on the language letters (e.g., en) and use the right dir and the file type “.strings” and the ‘magic’ happens.

So I added a ‘Localized’ group in my ‘Resources’ group. Then I added the en.lproj and fr.lproj dirs to ‘Localized.’ Each time under the <lang code>.lproj item was a .swp file that caused build problems. I removed those files – problem gone.

As a test, I just used the same Localizable.strings file in each lang dir but made a change to some text so when I ran the app, I’d know if it was using the right version (e.g., “Done” -> “FRENCH!”).

I changed my language setting in the Settings app and ran the app. The first time I didn’t see a change, but when I ran it again, viola!

Other links:

http://adeem.me/blog/2009/05/09/tutorial-iphone-localization-in-xib-nib-files/

http://www.bdunagan.com/2009/04/15/ibtool-localization-made-easier/

http://www.digitalwaters.net/koan/ing/2007/11/27/from-nibtool-to-ibtool.html

http://developer.apple.com/iphone/prerelease/library/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/BPInternational/Articles/StringsFiles.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000005