Question

I have database with some default content. How can I use iCloud to sync changes in database on different devices?
I know how sync devices if CoreData was empty first and I can migrate from external sqlite file to CoreData.

Answer 1

If you have an existing Core Data store and you want to add iCloud support, you’ll need to transfer all of your existing data to a new data store and save the result. This is necessary because iCloud only generates transactions when you save changes– so you need to effectively save changes for everything to jumpstart the syncing process.

In most cases you can do this in a single step by using NSPersistentStoreCoordinator‘s migratePersistentStore:toURL:options:withType:error:. Pass in the same iCloud options that you would use when calling addPersistentStoreWithType:configuration:URL:options:error:. Use this alternate approach only when moving from a non-iCloud data store to one that does use iCloud.

Also, beware of using iCloud with Core Data. It has not earned a reputation for reliability. Pay close attention to Apple’s documentation and sample projects, and even then be prepared for it to just not work sometimes.