GBA4iOS 2.0: URL Schemes (Part 2: Mac and Windows)
Before I tell you the requirements you will need for this section, let's go over URL Schemes and Web Clips really quick.
Remember that this is how a URL Scheme looks and works. You have the GBA4iOS call-back url, then the name of the ROM.
gba4ios://Super%20Mario%20World
The name of the ROM must have the exact same wording and format as the one found within GBA4iOS 2.0 that you wish to open. Most of the games will include spaces but know that you cannot add a space to a URL Scheme. What you do instead of a space is add %20 as you can see above. This is because the URL has to be in encoded format. You never see any website with spaces, right?
Keep that format in mind and also know these quick encodings for things like apostrophes and exclamation marks which some games may contain.
Exclamation Mark ( ! ) %21
For a more extensive list of URL Encoding, please visit the Vermont Database. Note: You may not always need to encode everything if you are using apps like Launch Center Pro, but since this method covers how to create Web Clips that require Mobile Safari, you are required to encode.
Apple Configurator (free in Mac App Store)
iPhone or iPad dock connectors
Don't forget that using this method requires you to have the ROM you wish to make a URL Scheme of already installed in GBA4iOS 2.0, and that you should use the exact name (with possible encoding methods ready and capitalization) when making the URL Scheme.
First make sure you connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
Note: click or tap on the images to see them in full resolution. If you are reading within the Tumblr Dashboard, please go to http://gba4ios.mithical.com
On your Mac, go to the Mac App Store or click the link in requirement #2 to get you directly to this page, and download Apple Configurator.
With this program, you will be able to create Web Clips with URL Schemes that you can add to your connected device by installing a configuration profile (trust me, it's easier than it sounds).
Open the Apple Configurator app and you should see this:
From here you should only click on "Install Profiles..." You will see the next page if you have your iPhone or iPad connected already.
Tap "Next" and you arrive here. In this section you will first need to add a Name in the "General" section. It can be any name you want, I called mine simply "Web Clips" as I'll be adding more than one.
From here you scroll down the side bar until you reach the "Web Clips" section, this is where the magic happens. Tap "Configure"
You will now need to start creating your Web Clip. Begin at the "Label" and move your way down.
In Label I added the name of the ROM which is what you'll see below the Web Clip in the Home Screen. This one does not require you to word it exactly, and if you want to shorten it or put something else, go for it.
The URL section is where you will be adding your URL Scheme! It's very important that you use the method I have shown you. Start with gba4ios:// and add the exact name of the ROM you wish to open. In my case, I will be opening Super Mario World. Since it has spaces, I must use %20 encodings in between the words.
Leave the Removable box checked so that you can always delete the web clips from your device if you want.
Now add an icon! It's preferable if you have squared images as any other will look cut off. I will provide some icons I made myself so that you can get started, but you can always look for some yourself - I'm sure you already have some in mind.
I would recommend you check the Precomposed icon as it will have a more refine, clean look than the composed effects Apple used to use in apps back in the old days. Toggle it and see the difference for yourself.
Now, if you wish to only create one Web Clip of a game, you may now click "Save," however if you wish to create more than one all you have to do is click that "+" button in the top-right corner and do these same steps again. It's better to get them all done in one configurational profile, but you can always do some more later, just know that you will have to change the name in the "General" section.
Now that we have that done and saved, you will arrive at this page:
Before you even tap "Next" you must first unlock your iPhone or iPad if they have a pass code. Immediately after clicking "Next" a page will open on your device prompting you to install the profile containing all your Web Clips. Tap "Install"
Back on your Mac, if you see this "Install succeeded" message, you should now go ahead and go to your home screens and look for the web clips you just created!
Tap one and see the magic of URL Schemes come to life as your favorite game opens up! You have successfully created Web Clips with functioning URL Schemes that open ROMs directly in GBA4iOS 2.0. Enjoy!
I'm not about to leave you PC users behind. Sure, you might not have a Mac App Store, but there's still a way for you to make Web Clips with URL Schemes just like us Mac users! Here we go.
Note: Tap the images to see full resolution versions!
Windows XP (SP3) or Windows Vista (SP1) or Windows 7 or Windows 8.1
iPhone Configurator Utility (found on Apple.com)
iPhone or iPad dock connectors
Don't forget that using this method requires you to have the ROM you wish to make a URL Scheme of already installed in GBA4iOS 2.0, and that you should use the exact name (with possible encoding methods ready and capitalization) when making the URL Scheme.
First make sure you connect your iPhone or iPad with the dock connector to your computer.
Go and download iPhone Configurator Utility 3.6.2 from Apple's website and install it.
After you install it successfully, you should arrive at a page that looks like this. On the side bar, you will now click on "Configuration Profiles"
You should arrive at a page that, if you were reading over the Mac tutorial, this will look very similar and that's because it almost is, there's just one slight extra requirement that you need to add.
In the General section you will add a name for your profile - it can be anything you want, I chose Web Clips. After this, you must now add an identifier. You can word it exactly how I have it and even change it to your name, but know that this section is required for these profiles to work.
Scroll down in the side bar until you see a section called "Web Clips" and click it. This section is where you will be creating your Web Clips with URL Schemes to open ROMs from the home screen!
It uses the interface as the one found on Apple Configurator for Mac, so the instructions are relatively the same!
In Label I added the name of the ROM which is what you'll see below the Web Clip in the Home Screen. This one does not require you to word it exactly, and if you want to shorten it or put something else, go for it.
The URL section is where you will be adding your URL Scheme! It's very important that you use the method I have shown you. Start with gba4ios:// and add the exact name of the ROM you wish to open. In my case, I will be opening Super Mario World. Since it has spaces, I must use %20 encodings in between the words.
Leave the Removable box checked so that you can always delete the web clips from your device if you want.
Now add an icon! It's preferable if you have squared images as any other will look cut off. I will provide some icons I made myself so that you can get started, but you can always look for some yourself - I'm sure you already have some in mind.
I would recommend you check the Precomposed icon as it will have a more refine, clean look than the composed effects Apple used to use in apps back in the old days. Toggle it and see the difference for yourself.
Now, if you wish to only create one Web Clip of a game, you may now click "Save," however if you wish to create more than one all you have to do is click that "+" button in the top-right corner and do these same steps again. It's better to get them all done in one configurational profile, but you can always do some more later, just know that you will have to change the name in the "General" section.
Once you are done creating your Web Clips, you will now click on "Export" and save the .mobileconfig file to your desktop. Make sure the security is set to "sign configuration profile"
Although you do not see it in the screenshots above, if your device is connected you will get a "Devices" list below "Library" where you can now add that .mobileconfig file we just saved.
If for some reason, like me, you don't see the "Devices" section when you have a device connected, you can also use this alternative method of installation:
Upload the .mobileconfig file you saved to Dropbox, then get the download link and open it in your iDevice. You will be prompted to install the configuration profile.
After you tap "Install" all the Web Clips you created will be added to your home screen for you to use and quickly access ROMs from GBA4iOS 2.0!
This is how you create Web Clips with URL Schemes through Windows and Mac. It's far easier to do a batch of icons through here and then quickly install the configuration profile with all of them installed. Remember that if you delete that profile, the web clips will also disappear, so don't delete it!
I know some of you aren't very fond of computers and do everything you can possibly do through your phones, and that's why I have a section set up for you to install Web Clips through mobile using some apps found in the App Store. Go read!
I have some goodies for you all to use if you want to facilitate the creation of making URL Schemes. First, let me give you access to some of the custom icons I have made for my own personal use - they look and work great if you are a fan of the Super Mario Advance series. They are based from icons by sandrodcpereiraI with an added iOS 7-style background gradient. I have plans to create more in the future, so just follow me on Twitter (@mithical) if you wish to find out when.
Super Mario Advance series
Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World
Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3
Want to see a video by my good friend and teammate OPERATIONiDROID of this whole process? Check out his URL Schemes video.
Back to Part 1: Introduction
Part 3: Create URL Schemes through your iPhone or iPad!