Archive:IOS FAQ

XBMC for iOS specific Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Where can I find more iOS-specific information about (or support for) XBMC?

Mac-specific end-users forum: http://forum.xbmc.org/forumdisplay.php?f=137

Where can I find out how to install XBMC for iOS?

Install XBMC on ATV2

Install XBMC on iPhone/iPad

I have XBMC installed, how do I update to the latest version?

Update XBMC on ATV2

Update XBMC on iPhone/iPad

What platforms are supported today?

We support iOS 4.1 and 4.2.1.

What XBMC version is the iOS release?

The current iOS version was built from pre 10.0 "Dharma" code. Future releases will be based on the next 11.0 "Eden" version code.

Where are the UserData folder and the debug log?

See here for bug reporting details.

Debug log can be found at /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/xbmc.log

UserData folder can be found at /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/XBMC

What remotes do work?

The Apple TV 2 remote works on the Apple TV 2. The iPhone and iPad variants take direct screen input.

I changed skins on the iPad or other touch device and now I can't navigate back to change them... help!

Unfortunately, most skins aren't designed with touch in mind. The only way to fix this problem, currently, is to delete or edit guisettings.xml, found in your userdata folder.

I've changed resolutions once, how do I change them back?

Only way to fix this at the moment is to delete guisettings.xml, found in your user datafolder (see above).

How do I get to the context menu?

Apple remote: Press and hold MENU will pop up the context menu on an item in a list.

Touchscreen: double tap the menu item.

How do I bring up slide out menus?

Touchscreen: Hold the menu item to bring it up, then swipe right to access the sub content.

What formats and resolutions will iOS devices play?

The Apple TV 2, iPhone 4, iPad 1, and iPod Touch 4 will all play back all formats currently supported by XBMC. All devices are capable of decoding 1080p video, though video larger than 1920x800 will currently cause hiccups on occasion.

Why are settings or sources not stored?

This can happen when the setting xml files are manipulated outside XBMC.

Connect to your iPad/ATV2 as root using a ssh client and repair file permissions.

Run the following command on the iPad/ATV2:

chown -R mobile:mobile /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/XBMC/userdata/*

Apple TV 2 specific questions and answers

What happens to original Apple TV 2 software after the XBMC installation?

XBMC is installed onto the Apple TV flashdrive, much like any iOS app, but you will still be able you use your Apple TV software as normal, XBMC will only be an extra option that you can launch from the Apple TV's original menu when you want to utilize the extra features and functions that are available in XBMC compared to the original Apple TV software. So XBMC will not replace the original Apple TV software, it instead complements the existing Apple TV software.

What resolutions is the ATV2 capable of outputting?

At present, though the ATV2 can decode 1080p video, it is limited by Frontrow to output 720p video. To see if you can really benefit with 1080p output, please consult this chart

What audio formats can the ATV2 output?

The ATV2 is currently only verified to output stereo audio.

Update: Optical S/PDIF output of ATV2 has been verified to output 5.1 Dolby Digital (from 720p .MKV source movie).

Can I hook up my external harddrive or other USB device to the ATV2?

Unfortunately, the ATV2 can not operate as a USB host, so hooking an external drive or any other USB device to it will not work. Only media physically on the ATV2 and media hosted on the network will be available.

Known iOS issues

ATV2 currently only puts out Stereo over HDMI.

VOB/ISO files do not play correctly/at all as libdvdcss has not be enabled.