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iOS Debugging with Hardware

dockstubz from CableJive

If you’re developing an app which uses hardware that plugs into the 30-pin Dock Connector of the iPhone or iPad, then debugging in Xcode can become a bit of a problem. I’m working with Wahoo Fitness using their Fisica ANT+ device at the moment, and I was about to break out the soldering iron to make some sort of a pass-through connector when Chip from Wahoo mentioned using dockStubz from Cablejive.

This provides a male and female dock connector with a USB connector in the middle of the unit. This lets the iOS device be connected to a Mac with the hardware device installed, allowing breakpoints and the like to be set in Xcode.

It’s available directly from Cablejive in the US and from Amazon in the UK (and presumably the rest of Europe).

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14 Comments

    1. Yeah, that’s basically it – a micro-usb to your Mac, and the hardware dongle plugs into the dockStubz. You can then just debug as normal in xcode.

      Cheers

      Stuart

  1. Thanks for the answer! I just got my dockStubz but when I connect the microUSB to my mac nothing happens. :/ It should be able to sync though that right? It does not even show up in xcode…

    1. It works like a charm for my purpose. I am developing an application which use the redpark cable. I first got an adapter which was DOA but got a replacement and it works.

      1. Hi, I bought two dockStubz+ and I am seeing the same “problem” with both. First, here is my setup. I connected the dockStubz+ to my MacBook (on which xcode running) via a micro-USB to USB cable. Then I connected my 4th generation iPod touch the the 30-pin male connecter of the dockStubz+. At this point, the iPod touch starts charging and I also see it on xcode. Finally, I connected the 30-pin female connecter to my custom dock. At this point, I lose the connection between the MacBook (xcode) and the iPod touch. My question is how can I keep both connections alive? How is it working for you?

        Thank you,
        -Teddy

      1. Hi Guys,

        Thanks for the replies.

        I connect a usb lead from the mac to the Dockstubz and connect the Dockstubz to the iPad, at this point the iPad can be seen by Xcode and also charges.

        I then connect the camera connection kit to the Dockstubz, Xcode then cannot see the iPad and charging stops. I tried with three different iPads.

        Have you guys had success with the camera connection kit?

        Cheers

        Andy

  2. Hi Andy,
    I’ve just tried the dockstubz with the camera adaptor and can confirm that it doesn’t work for me either.

    I suspect it must depend on the way the accessory implements its connection to the iOS device.

    Regards

    Stuart

    1. Hi Stuart,

      Thanks very much for trying it for me.

      I wish they would let us debug via WIFI, maybe one day they will re-introduce it.

      Once again thanks for the help.

      Andy

  3. Does this work for newer devices that use lightning cables? The dockStubz for lightning doesn’t seem to have an USB port, and my hardware has a lightning cable instead of a 30-pin.

    1. It worked for me using the Lightning-to-30pin adaptor. However, this may depend on the particular accessory you’re trying to debug – in the comments below, you’ll see that it didn’t work for some people who were using a different accessory to me.

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