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I'd like to add a new build configuration in Xcode 5, "QA", to the other three we currently have (Debug, Distribution, Release). However, when I click "Editor > Add Configuration", everything is grayed out. I'm not very familiar with Xcode in the first place, so I'm not sure how to go about doing this.

Is there a reason it's grayed out? Is this this process to add a build configuration? Thanks.

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  • Here it is an article may be it will help you guys. Here you will see the sample code + in details how you can set your staging and release web urls, keys and much more using build configurations. I saw various resources but there was not a sample of full code. Thats why i have added the full sample code with detail description of how you can generate set build configurations using plist and automated process of build configurations, while creating archive for release and testing mode. github.com/ourangzeb/Build-Configuration-for-IOS
    – OurangZeb Khan
    Commented Apr 12, 2017 at 10:15
  • 1
    The excellent selected answer seems to be relevant only for now quite old versions of Xcode. For recent Xcode versions there is another excellent answer. Would it make sense to amend the accepted answer to be appropriate for the current Xcode?
    – Benjohn
    Commented Aug 3, 2022 at 9:02

3 Answers 3

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I ran into this same problem and figured it out. Here is a screenshot of the problem. I want to duplicate my "Release" configuration, but the option to do so is disabled. Why?

enter image description here

The answer is hiding behind this little button here (circled in red)...

enter image description here

This menu will open to reveal that you currently have a build target selected. Build targets don't have their own configurations.

Configurations are project-wide. If you select the project file, the menu will work, as shown here.

You also have to make sure that the 'Info' tab is selected, the options are still greyed out if you are on the 'Build Settings' page

enter image description here

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  • 144
    You also have to make sure that the 'Info' tab is selected, the options are stil greyed out if you are on the 'Build Settings' page
    – Matt Garrod
    Commented Nov 25, 2013 at 7:14
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    "Editor (!) menu", then select Info, then select Project... Apple, why this simple thing require people to ask questions on SO?
    – m8labs
    Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 9:08
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    I followed this answer exactly (YES, I've selected by project as in the screenshot, YES, I selected Info tab THEN my project) but all those options are still greyed out?
    – Can Poyrazoğlu
    Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 7:09
  • For me it was working only when I pressed "Build Settings" tab. However, you can scroll "Build Settings" down to "User-Defined" section and add setting manually.
    – Leo
    Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 14:22
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    what a bad UX that is. You really have to make sure all those tiny things align properly to enabled those menu items.
    – philk
    Commented Feb 2, 2022 at 12:02
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For Xcode 11 + , you can add your custom configuration here:

enter image description here

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  • That's also true for earlier Xcode versions. You don't need to use the menu bar (I didn't even realize you could before finding this question)
    – Velociround
    Commented May 31, 2021 at 14:06
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Build Configuration and Build Configuration File(.xcconfig)

It allows you to manage Build Settings. It is actually what you see when reviewing Build Settings and it's mirrors(like Signing in Signing & Capabilities)

enter image description here

Build Configuration(e.g. Release/Debug) -> Build Configuration File(.xcconfig) or some default config file

[Xcode structure]

Build Configuration

Actually Debug/Release Build Configurations are created by default

Create Build Configuration

You are able to create a new Build Configuration via duplicating an existing(Debug/Release) in Configurations

Editor -> Add Configuration -> Duplicate <configuration_name> Configuration -> Click plus button under configuration list
//Set a name - Experiments for example

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Select Build Configuration

Scheme -> Info -> Build Configuration

Build Configuration File(.xcconfig)

Much more powerful feature is build configuration file which you can assign for your configuration

File -> New -> File... -> Configuration Settings File
//Do not include it to any target

Project -> Info -> Configurations -> Build Configuration -> Target -> Build Configuration File

enter image description here

Please note that you are able to set Build Configuration File for Project and for Target. Depends on it Resolved variable will be set, also $(inherited)[About] will be different

For example add name into Build Configuration File

PRODUCT_NAME = THE BEST NAME

The result you can find on Build Settings

enter image description here CocoaPods and Build Configuration File

project '<project_name>', '<scheme_name_1>' => :<build_congiguration_file_name_1>
//For example
project 'MyProject', 'debug' => :conf1, 'release' => :conf2

Build Configuration File(.xcconfig). You can use next syntax to add or override the parent parameters

#include "<path_to_xcconfig>"
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