iOS SDK
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • 14 Minutes to read
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iOS SDK

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Article Summary

Summary

The Tenjin iOS SDK allows users to track events and installs in their iOS apps. To learn more about Tenjin and our product offering, please visit https://www.tenjin.com.

  • Please see our Release Notes to see detailed version history.
  • For Unity-specific instructions, please visit https://github.com/tenjin/tenjin-unity-sdk.
  • For any issues or support, please contact: support@tenjin.com

Notes:

  • Xcode 13 requirement, if you’re using iOS SDK v1.12.17 and higher.
  • For AppTrackingTransparency, be sure to update your project .plist file and add Privacy - Tracking Usage Description (NSUserTrackingUsageDescription) along with the text message you want to display to users. This library is only available in iOS 14.0+.
  • For Apple Search Ads Attribution support, please be sure to upgrade to v1.12.6+ and add the AdServices.framework library. This library is only available in iOS 14.3+.

Table of contents


SDK Integration

Cocoapods

If you use pods, add pod 'TenjinSDK' to your Podfile then run pod install and skip to step 4.

Swift Package Manager

If you use SPM, add Tenjin’s SDK package through Xcode with this repository here and skip to step 4.

  1. Download the latest SDK release here.

  2. Drag TenjinSDK.xcframework and TenjinSDK.h to your project under build phases -> "Link Binary With Libraries".

  3. Include the linker flags -ObjC under your Build Settings
    Dashboard

Steps for Objective-C projects

  1. Go to your AppDelegate file, by default AppDelegate.m, and #import "TenjinSDK.h".

  2. Get your SDK_KEY from your app page. Note: SDK_KEY is unique for each of your app. You can create up to 3 keys for the same app.

    app_api_key.png

  3. In your didFinishLaunchingWithOptions method add:

    [TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
    [TenjinSDK connect];
    
  4. To enable Tenjin iOS SDK debug logs add:

      [TenjinSDK debugLogs];
    

Here's an example of what your integration in Objective-C projects should look like in your AppDelegate.m file:

```objectivec
#import "TenjinSDK.h"

@implementation TJNAppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{
    [TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
    [TenjinSDK connect];

    //All your other stuff
    ...
}
```

Steps for Swift projects

  1. Add Objective-C Bridging Header file for swift projects,

    1. Create a header file
      1. File -> New -> File -> “Sources”
      2. Choose “Header” File - > Click Next
      3. The header file name should “YourProjectName-Bridging-Header” - Under “Targets” -> Select the app target -> Click Next
    2. In the header file - “YourProjectName-Bridging-Header.h”
      1. Add the following,
        #import "TenjinSDK.h"
        
    3. Go to the app target and under “Build Settings”
      1. Go to the section “Swift Compiler - General”
      2. Go to the sub-section “Objective-C Bridging Header” and drag the header file - “YourProjectName-Bridging-Header.h” to the field.
  2. Get your SDK_KEY from your app page. Note: SDK_KEY is unique for each of your app. You can create up to 3 keys for the same app.

    app_api_key.png

  3. a. In your didFinishLaunchingWithOptions method add:

    TenjinSDK.getInstance("<SDK_KEY>")
    TenjinSDK.connect()
    

If you are using Swift 5, use the getInstance() method instead of init(). See our sample Swift app

  1. To enable Tenjin iOS SDK debug logs add:
      TenjinSDK.debugLogs();
    

Here's an example of what your integration in Swift projects should look like in your AppDelegate.swift file:

```swift
func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
    // Override point for customization after application launch.
    TenjinSDK.getInstance("<SDK_KEY>")
    TenjinSDK.connect() 
    return true
}
```

NOTE: Please ensure you implement this code on every didFinishLaunchingWithOptions, not only on the first app open of the app. If we notice that you don't follow our recommendation, we can't give you the proper support or your account might be under suspension.

Alternate initialization to handle deep links from other services. If you use other services to produce deferred deep links, you can pass Tenjin those deep links to handle the attribution logic with your Tenjin enabled deep links.

#import "TenjinSDK.h"

@implementation TJNAppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{

    [TenjinSDK init:@"<SDK_KEY>"];

    //get your deep link from your other 3rd party service
    NSURL *url = [NSURL withString: @"your_deep_link"];

    //if you have a deep link that's generated from a third party service then pass it to tenjin to handle the attribution of deep links holistically
    if(url) {
      [TenjinSDK connectWithDeferredDeeplink:url];
    }
    else{
      [TenjinSDK connect];
    }

    //All your other stuff
    //...
}

You can verify if the integration is working through our Live Test Device Data Tool. Add your advertising_id or IDFA/GAID to the list of test devices. You can find this under Support -> Test Devices. Go to the SDK Live page and send the test events from your app. You should see live events come in:


Tenjin initialization with ATTrackingManager

Starting with iOS 14, you have the option to show the initial ATTrackingManager permissions prompt and selection to opt in/opt out users.
If the device doesn't accept tracking permission, IDFA will become zero. If the device accepts tracking permission, the connect() method will send the IDFA to our servers.
You can also still call Tenjin connect(), without using ATTrackingManager, only in below iOS 14. ATTrackingManager permissions prompt is obligatory from the end of spring 2021.

#import "TenjinSDK.h"

@implementation TJNAppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{

    [TenjinSDK init:@"<SDK_KEY>"];

    if (@available(iOS 14, *)) {
        [ATTrackingManager requestTrackingAuthorizationWithCompletionHandler:^(ATTrackingManagerAuthorizationStatus status) {
            [TenjinSDK connect];
        }];
    } else {
        [TenjinSDK connect];
    }
}

Displaying an ATT permission prompt

To comply with Apple’s ATT guidelines, you must provide a description for the ATT permission prompt, then implement the permission request in your application.

Note: You must implement the permission request before serving ads in your game.

Configuring a user tracking description

Apple requires a description for the ATT permission prompt. You need to set the description with the NSUserTrackingUsageDescription key in the Info.plist file of your Xcode project. You have to provide a message that informs the user why you are requesting permission to use device tracking data:

  • In your Xcode project navigator, open the Info.plist file.
  • Click the add button (+) beside any key in the property list editor to create a new property key.
  • Enter the key name NSUserTrackingUsageDescription.
  • Select a string value type.
  • Enter the app tracking transparency message in the value field. Some examples include:
    • "We will use your data to provide a better and personalized ad experience."
    • "We try to show ads for apps and products that will be most interesting to you based on the apps you use, the device you are on, and the country you are in."
    • "We try to show ads for apps and products that will be most interesting to you based on the apps you use."

Note: Apple provides specific app store guidelines that define acceptable use and messaging for all end-user facing privacy-related features. Tenjin does not provide legal advice. Therefore, the information on this page is not a substitute for seeking your own legal counsel to determine the legal requirements of your business and processes, and how to address them.


SKAdNetwork and Conversion value

As part of SKAdNetwork, we created wrapper method for updatePostbackConversionValue(_:). Our method will register the equivalent SKAdNetwork methods and also send the conversion values to our servers.

updatePostbackConversionValue(\_:) 6 bit value should correspond to the in-app event and shouldn’t be entered as binary representation but 0-63 integer. Please refer to this page for how to implement conversion values.

As of iOS 16.1, which supports SKAdNetwork 4.0, you can now send coarseValue (String, with possible variants being "low", "medium" or "high") and lockWindow (Boolean) as parameters on the update postback method:

updatePostbackConversionValue(_ conversionValue: Integer, coarseValue: String)

updatePostbackConversionValue(_ conversionValue: Integer, coarseValue: String, lockWindow: Bool)

  • For iOS version 16.1+ which supports SKAdNetwork 4.0, you can call this method as many times as you want and can make the conversion value lower or higher than the previous value.

  • For iOS versions lower than 16.1 supporting SKAdnetWork versions lower than 4.0, you can call this method and our SDK will automatically detect the iOS version and update conversionValue only.

#import "TenjinSDK.h"

@implementation TJNAppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{

    [TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
    [TenjinSDK connect];

    //
    // This will call [SKAdNetwork updatePostbackConversionValue: <YOUR 6 bit value>]
    // and also send conversion value to our servers.
    //
    // You will need to use a value between 0-63 for <YOUR 6 bit value>.
    //
    [TenjinSDK updatePostbackConversionValue: <YOUR 6 bit value>];
    
    // For iOS 16.1+ (SKAN 4.0)

    [TenjinSDK updatePostbackConversionValue: <YOUR 6 bit value> coarseValue:@"medium"];

    [TenjinSDK updatePostbackConversionValue: <YOUR 6 bit value> coarseValue:@"medium" lockWindow:true];
}

SKAdNetwork and iOS 15+ Advertiser Postbacks

To specify Tenjin as the destination for your SK Ad Network postbacks, do the following:

  1. Select Info.plist in the Project navigator in Xcode.
  2. Click the Add button (+) beside a key in the property list editor and press Return.
  3. Type the key name NSAdvertisingAttributionReportEndpoint.
  4. Choose String from the pop-up menu in the Type column.
  5. Enter https://tenjin-skan.com

These steps are an adaption from Apple's instructions at https://developer.apple.com/documentation/storekit/skadnetwork/configuring_an_advertised_app.


GDPR

As part of GDPR compliance, with Tenjin's SDK you can opt-in, opt-out devices/users, or select which specific device-related params to opt-in or opt-out. OptOut() will not send any API requests to Tenjin, and we will not process any events.

To opt-in/opt-out:

#import "TenjinSDK.h"

@implementation TJNAppDelegate

- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{

  [TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];

  if ([self checkOptInValue]) {
      [TenjinSDK optIn];
  }
  else {
      [TenjinSDK optOut];
  }

  [TenjinSDK connect];

  //All your other stuff
  //..
}

-(BOOL) checkOptInValue
{
  // check opt-in value
  // return YES; // if user opted-in
  return NO;
}

To opt-in/opt-out specific device-related parameters, you can use the OptInParams() or OptOutParams(). OptInParams() will only send device-related parameters that are specified. OptOutParams() will send all device-related parameters except ones that are specified.

  • Kindly note that we require the following parameter to properly track devices in Tenjin's system. If the mandatory parameter is missing, the event will not be processed or recorded.

    • developer_device_id

If you intend to use Google Ads, you will also need to add: platform, os_version,app_version, locale, device_model, and build_id.

If you want to only get specific device-related parameters, use OptInParams(). In example below, we will only these device-related parameters: ip_address, advertising_id, developer_device_id, limit_ad_tracking, and iad:

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];

NSArray *optInParams = @[@"ip_address", @"advertising_id", @"developer_device_id", @"limit_ad_tracking", @"iad"];
[TenjinSDK optInParams:optInParams];

[TenjinSDK connect];

If you want to send ALL parameters except specific device-related parameters, use OptOutParams(). In the example below, we will send ALL device-related parameters except: locale, timezone, and build_id parameters.

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];

NSArray *optOutParams = @[@"country", @"timezone", @"language"];
[TenjinSDK optOutParams:optOutParams];

[TenjinSDK connect];

Opt in/out using CMP

You can automatically opt in or opt out using your CMP consents (purpose 1) which are already saved in the user's device. The method returns a boolean to let you know if it's opted in or out.

optInOutUsingCMP()

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
optInOut = [TenjinSDK optInOutUsingCMP]; 

Device-Related Parameters

ParamDescriptionReference
ip_addressIP Address
advertising_idDevice Advertising IDiOS
developer_device_idID for VendoriOS
limit_ad_trackinglimit ad tracking enablediOS
platformplatformiOS
iadApple Search Ad parametersiOS
os_versionoperating system versioniOS
devicedevice nameiOS (hw.machine)
device_modeldevice modeliOS (hw.model)
device_model_namedevice machineiOS (hw.model)
device_cpudevice cpu nameiOS (hw.cputype)
os_version_releaseoperating system versioniOS
build_idbuild IDiOS (kern.osversion)
localedevice localeiOS
countrylocale countryiOS
timezonetimezoneiOS

Purchase Events

Pass (SKPaymentTransaction *) transaction and (NSData *)receipt object, after the verification of the purchase, and then you can pass SKPaymentTransactionStatePurchased to Tenjin for the transaction which was purchased:

//Get the NSData receipt
NSURL *receiptURL = [[NSBundle mainBundle] appStoreReceiptURL];
NSData *receiptData = [NSData dataWithContentsOfURL:receiptURL];

//Pass the transaction and the receiptData to Tenjin
[TenjinSDK transaction: transaction andReceipt: receiptData];

Disclaimer: If you are implementing purchase events on Tenjin for the first time, make sure to verify the data with other tools you’re using before you start scaling up your user acquisition campaigns using purchase data.

Flexible App Store Commission setup

Choose between 15% and 30% App Store’s revenue commission via our new setup. The steps are -

  • Go to CONFIGURE --> Apps
  • Click on the app you want to change it for
  • Under the ‘App Store Commission’ section click ‘Edit’
  • Choose 30% or 15% as your desired app store commission.
  • Select the start date and end date (Or you can keep the end date blank if you dont want an end date)
  • Click Save (note: the 15% commission can be applied only to dates moving forward and not historical dates. So please set the start date from the date you make the change and forward)

Subscription IAP

IMPORTANT: If you have subscription IAP, you will need to add your app's public key in the Tenjin dashboard. You can retrieve your iOS App-Specific Shared Secret from the iTunes Connect Console > Select your app > App Information > App-Specific Shared Secret.

Kindly note that you are responsible to send a subscription transaction one time during each subscription interval (i.e., For example, for a monthly subscription, you will need to send us 1 transaction per month).

In the example timeline below, a transaction event should only be sent at the "First Charge" and "Renewal" events. During the trial period, do not send Tenjin the transaction event.

For more information on subscriptions, please see: Apple documentation on Working with Subscriptions


Custom Events

IMPORTANT: DO NOT SEND CUSTOM EVENTS BEFORE THE CONNECT/INITIALIZATION event (above). The initialization must come before sending any custom events.

IMPORTANT: Limit custom event names to less than 80 characters. Do not exceed 500 unique custom event names.

You can also use the Tenjin SDK to pass a custom event:

  • sendEventWithName: (NSString *)eventName and

You can use these to pass Tenjin custom interactions with your app to tie this to user level cost from each acquisition source that you use through Tenjin's platform. Here are some examples of usage:

//send a particular event for when someone swipes on a part of your app
[TenjinSDK sendEventWithName:@"swipe_right"];

Custom events can also pass an NSString eventValue. Tenjin will use this eventValue as a count or sum for all custom events with the same eventName. The eventValue MUST BE AN INTEGER. If the eventValue is not an integer, we will not send the event.

//send a particular event for when someone swipes and an event value on a part of your app
[TenjinSDK sendEventWithName:@"swipe_right" andEventValue:@"1"];

Server-to-server integration

Tenjin offers server-to-server integration. If you want to access to the documentation, please send email to support@tenjin.com.


App Subversion parameter for A/B Testing (requires DataVault)

If you are running A/B tests and want to report the differences, we can append a numeric value to your app version using the appendAppSubversion method. For example, if your app version 1.0.1, and set appendAppSubversion: @8888, it will report as 1.0.1.8888.

This data will appear within DataVault, where you will be able to run reports using the app subversion values.

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
[TenjinSDK appendAppSubversion:@8888];
[TenjinSDK connect];

Impression Level Ad Revenue Integration

Tenjin supports the ability to integrate with the Impression Level Ad Revenue (ILRD) feature from,

  • AppLovin
  • Unity LevelPlay
  • HyperBid
  • AdMob
  • TopOn
  • CAS
  • TradPlus

This feature allows you to receive events which correspond to your ad revenue that is affected by each advertisement show to a user. To enable this feature, follow the below instructions.

NOTE: ILRD is a paid feature, so please contact your Tenjin account manager to discuss the price at first before sending ILRD events.


LiveOps Campaigns

Tenjin supports retrieving of user attribution information, like sourcing ad network and campaign, from the SDK. This will allow developers to collect and analyze user-level attribution data in real-time. Here are the possible use cases using Tenjin LiveOps Campaigns:

  • If you have your own data anlytics tool, custom callback will allow you to tie the attribution data to your in-game data per device level.
  • Show different app content depending on where the user comes from. For example, if user A is attributed to organic and user B is attributed to Facebook and user B is likely to be more engaged with your app, then you want to show a special in-game offer after the user installs the app. If you want to discuss more specific use cases, please write to support@tenjin.com.

NOTE: LiveOps Campaigns is a paid feature, so please contact your Tenjin account manager if you are interested in.


Customer User ID

You can set and get customer user id to send as a parameter on events.

setCustomerUserId(userId: "user_id")
getCustomerUserId()

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
[TenjinSDK setCustomerUserId:@"user_id"];
userId = [TenjinSDK getCustomerUserId]; 

Analytics Installation ID

You can get the analytics id which is generated randomly and saved in the local storage of the device.
getAnalyticsInstallationId()

[TenjinSDK initialize:@"<SDK_KEY>"];
analyticsId = [TenjinSDK getAnalyticsInstallationId]; 

Retry/cache events and IAP

You can enable/disable retrying and caching events and IAP when requests fail or users don't have internet connection. These events will be sent after a new event has been added to the queue and user has recovered connection.

setCacheEventSetting(true)

[TenjinSDK setCacheEventSetting:true];

Google DMA Parameters

If you already have a CMP integrated, Google DMA parameters will be automatically collected by the Tenjin SDK. There’s nothing to implement in the Tenjin SDK if you have a CMP integrated. If you want to override your CMP, or simply want to build your own consent mechanisms, you can use the following:

setGoogleDMAParametersWithAdPersonalization(bool, bool)

[[TeninSDK sharedInstance] setGoogleDMAParametersWithAdPersonalization:adPersonalization adUserData:adUserData]; 


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