Analytics is not started on 7.5.0 and later versions

[fthdgn]

[REQUIRED] Step 1: Describe your environment

• Xcode version:12.4 (12D4e)
• Firebase SDK version: 7.5.0, 7.6.0, 7.7.0
• Installation method: CocoaPods
• Firebase Component: Analytics

[REQUIRED] Step 2: Describe the problem

Steps to reproduce:

The latest version of our app is not visible on Firebase console. A/B testing is not working, and Latest Release does not detect the release even though, according to Apple Analytics, the sessions of newest release surpassed the sessions of old version.
When we analyzed console logs of previous version and the latest version, we noticed that Firebase Analytics are does not start on the latest version. Analytics v.7.6.0 started line is not printed. We tested 7.5.0 and 7.7.0, the line is not printed on them too. The line is printed on 7.4.0. The line also printed on Debug build. The problem occurs on Release build since 7.5.0.
We are suspecting the reason of Firebase console problems is related the lack of Analytics v.7.7.0 started log.

We cannot find anything on changelog and documentations.

Relevant Code:

    func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
        ...
        FirebaseApp.configure()
        ...
        return true
    }

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[paulb777]

I've confirmed that I see Analytics v.7.7.0 started with the latest version installed via CocoaPods.

I suspect something is corrupt in your Xcode workspace. Perhaps pod deintegrate and pod update would resolve?

[paulb777]

Or maybe an issue like #7521?

[morganchen12]

Also, check to make sure you don't have duplicate Firebase class definitions in your app's runtime.

[fthdgn]

pod deintegrate and pod update didn't solve the problem.

But adding -ObjC option to Other Linker Flags solved the problem, Analytics v.7.7.0 started is printed on Release build.
CocoaPods adds -ObjC itself on 7.4.0, but not on 7.7.0

SPM documentation mentions this, but it was not required for CocoaPods.
Is it required now?

[paulb777]

Interesting. It's likely a side-effect of a CocoaPods bug that was fixed in CocoaPods 1.10.1 that we added a workaround for in Firebase 7.5.0.

I suspect your use case may be something that we didn't test. Are you calling using Analytics APIs in the app? Or are you completely relying on Analytics being implicitly linked?

Either way, I suspect updating to CocoaPods 1.10.1 would be an alternative to needing to manually add the -ObjC option.

cc: @htcgh

[fthdgn]

I created a project to reproduce the problem.
7.7.0 does not add -ObjC and does not print log.
7.4.0 adds -ObjC and prints log.
Pod version is 1.10.1

There is no API call. Just FirebaseApp.configure() on application(_:didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:)

https://github.com/fthdgn/firebase-ios-sdk-issue-7595

[paulb777]

@fthdgn Thanks for the reproducible example. 👍 I've reproduced and will investigate.

[paulb777]

I opened CocoaPods issue CocoaPods/CocoaPods#10459

[paulb777]

Proposed CocoaPods fix at CocoaPods/CocoaPods#10460

[paulb777]

I'm going to close this here - since the fix will likely be part of CocoaPods 1.10.2. Track at CocoaPods/CocoaPods#10460

In the meantime, adding the -ObjC option to the Other Linker Flags Build Setting is the right workaround.

Thanks to @fthdgn for raising the issue and the repro case.