How to install Chirp on iPhone using a Mac

Before you start

These are one-time installs. If you have used Terminal before, you may have them already — the first step checks.

1. 1

   Install Git

   Apple opens a small installer.

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   xcode-select --install

   You know this worked when: Git responds with a version number

2. 2

   Install Node LTS

   Choose the macOS Installer (.pkg).

   Open download ↗

   You know this worked when: Node responds with a version number

Install Chirp

1. 3

   Open Terminal

   Keep it open beside this page.

   You know this worked when: Terminal is open

2. 4

   Check Git and Node

   Git and the current Node LTS are required.

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return.

   git --version
   node --version

   You know this worked when: Git and Node respond with version numbers

3. 5

   Copy Chirp to this Mac

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   cd ~
   if [ ! -d chirp/.git ]; then
   git clone https://github.com/tatarigami22/chirp.git
   fi

   You know this worked when: A chirp folder appears

4. 6

   Open the Chirp folder

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   cd ~
   cd chirp

   You know this worked when: Your terminal prompt is inside the chirp folder

5. 7

   Use the reviewed version

   Type this into Terminal, then press Return. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   cd ~/chirp
   git checkout a2670bb1f38f17a0c501fb316612db1781bb75a1

   You know this worked when: Git reports the reviewed commit

6. 8

   Install Xcode

   Large — start it early. Open it once afterwards so it finishes installing.

   Open the App Store page ↗

   You know this worked when: Xcode opens without asking to finish setup

7. 9

   Open the iPhone project

   In Xcode choose Open, then pick the ios folder inside Chirp.

   You know this worked when: Xcode opens with the Chirp project

8. 10

   Sign the app with your Apple ID

   Signing & Capabilities, then Team. A free Apple ID works.

   You know this worked when: Signing & Capabilities shows no red error

9. 11

   Plug in your iPhone

   Unlock it, tap Trust, then pick it from the device menu.

   You know this worked when: Your iPhone is selected as the run destination

10. 12

    Press Run

    The ▶ button. The first build takes a few minutes.

    You know this worked when: Xcode finishes with Build Succeeded

11. 13

    Trust yourself on the iPhone

    Settings, General, VPN & Device Management, your Apple ID, then Trust.

    You know this worked when: Your Apple ID shows as trusted

12. 14

    Open Chirp on your phone

    You know this worked when: Chirp opens on your phone

If something goes wrong

Nothing here can damage your computer, and every step can be run again safely. If a command fails, the usual cause is the step before it not having finished.

Still stuck? Tell us what happened and we will fix the guide. Include the step number and we can usually reproduce it.