Since Xcode 11, when Apple introduced Xcode Test Plans for simpler, more configurable test management and execution, both new and existing projects had to manually convert to using the new system or create new test plans from scratch. Test plans, if you are not familiar, allow one file to control one or more test configurations for a set of tests, and allow multiple languages, simulated locations, test settings, and more to be exercised in just one test run. Especially for localized applications, white label apps, or scenarios with complex build configurations, they can be a huge time saver.
It’s not a huge effort doing so, but to switch to test plans, you have to open your existing scheme and go to the Test section, then tap the Convert to use Test Plans… button.
From the following dialog, you would then pick Create Test Plan from scheme, Create empty Test Plan, or Choose Test Plan.
New Projects Now Default to Test Plans
With Xcode 14.3, this step is no long required for new projects as Xcode now defaults to using a Test Plan for all new projects. This default test plan is marked as Autocreated in the Test Plan editor and can be viewed and modified just like normal. For a new project, if you open the default scheme, the test plan will be listed under the Test section and the conversion button will not appear.
Opening the new Test Plan then shows a normal test plan that looks completely as expected with the only difference being the Autocreated in the test plan navigation tab.
Once you make any changes to the plan; however, it will force you to save the plan immediately.
After you have done that, the Test Plan will be visible in the Navigator pane and behave like any other Test Plan.
Wrapping Up
This change is a small added convenience for new projects only that should reduce the need for the Create Test Plan from scheme option down the road and reduce friction for developers either new to Xcode or spinning up new projects. If you’ve never tried out Test Plans, I’d strongly suggest learning more and using them as they simplify many automation and testing scenarios and can greatly reduce the amount of effort needed to test your code. If you’ve got an existing project without test plans, this change doesn’t help much (sorry!); but maybe it’s time to check them out.
eMpTy Theory 