About Internationalization and Localization

Explains how to create a user interface and write code that can be localized into multiple languages.

At a Glance

Xcode supports incremental localization of your project. First you internationalize your user interface and code during development. Then you test your app using pseudolocalizations and different region settings. When you are ready to localize your app, you export the localizable text using standard file formats and submit them to a localization team for translation into multiple languages. While you are waiting for these translations, you can continue developing your app and perform additional localization steps yourself—perhaps add language-specific audio and image files to your project. Then import the localizations into your project and thoroughly test your app in each supported language and region. During the next iteration of your app, you only translate changes and add additional languages.

Learn About Language and Region Settings

Start by familiarizing yourself with the language and region settings available to the user.

Related Chapter: Reviewing Language and Region Settings

Internationalize Your App

Prepare your app for localization by separating language and locale differences from the rest of your user interface and code.

Use base internationalization to separate user-facing text from your .storyboard and .xib files.

In Interface Builder, use Auto Layout so views adjust to the localized text.

Separate other user-facing text from your code.

Use standard APIs to handle the complexity of different writing systems and locale formats.

Adhere to the user’s settings when formatting, sorting, searching, and parsing data.

If the app supports right-to-left languages, mirror the user interface and change the text direction as needed.

Related Chapter: Internationalizing the User Interface , Internationalizing Your Code , Formatting Data Using the Locale Settings , Supporting Right-to-Left Languages

Localize Your App

Export and import the localizations using standard file formats.

Lock views in the user interface.

Export the localizations.

Submit the exported files to translators.

Import the localization files and confirm the changes.

Perform additional localization steps yourself.

Xcode doesn’t translate text for you. For links to third-party localization vendors, see Build Apps for the World .

Related Chapter: Localizing Your App

Test Your App

Test your internationalized app, using a variety of techniques, during development and after localization.

Before you localize your app:

In Interface Builder, preview the user interface using pseudolanguages.

Run the app using different pseudolanguages.

After you import localizations:

In Interface Builder, preview the localizations.

Run the app with options that detect non-localized text.

Run the app using all supported languages and regions.

Ask native-language speakers to test the app.

Related Chapter: Internationalizing the User Interface , Testing Your Internationalized App

About Internationalization and Localization

At a Glance

See Also