iOS distribution feature flags

Compile-time flags per distribution. This is not Firebase Remote Config. Use Remote Config later for runtime rollout — don't grow this enum into a server.

Does not replace Swift architecture or SwiftUI skills.

Xcode

1. Duplicate the Release configuration to AppStore and TestFlight. Point schemes at them.
2. Set SWIFT_ACTIVE_COMPILATION_CONDITIONS to APPSTORE $(inherited) / TESTFLIGHT $(inherited) for those configurations, at project or target level. Leave Debug at the Xcode template value DEBUG $(inherited). Neither flag is set there, so the #else branch below resolves Debug to .debug. Plain Release also sets neither flag and resolves to .debug, so archive only with AppStore or TestFlight.

Target-level values override project-level values. If the target sets the condition list for those configurations without $(inherited), the project flags are hidden and Distribution.current is always .debug.

Code

public enum Distribution: Sendable {
  case debug, appstore, testflight
  static var current: Self {
    #if APPSTORE
    .appstore
    #elseif TESTFLIGHT
    .testflight
    #else
    .debug
    #endif
  }
}

public struct FeatureFlags: Sendable {
  public let requirePaywall: Bool
  public let featureX: Bool
  public init(distribution: Distribution) {
    switch distribution {
    case .debug:      requirePaywall = true;  featureX = true
    case .testflight: requirePaywall = false; featureX = true
    case .appstore:   requirePaywall = true;  featureX = false
    }
  }
}

Declare the environment value and inject once at the root:

extension EnvironmentValues {
  @Entry var featureFlags = FeatureFlags(distribution: .current)
}

RootView()
  .environment(\.featureFlags, FeatureFlags(distribution: .current))

Views read featureFlags.requirePaywall. Incomplete work stays on main behind a flag. Delete the flag when the feature is proven in App Store.

Do not ship TestFlight values (requirePaywall = false) in the App Store config. Flags that live forever become a second product matrix.

Sources

• https://swiftwithmajid.com/2025/09/16/feature-flags-in-swift/
• https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/configuring-the-build-settings-of-a-target
• https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/build-settings-reference
• https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swiftui/entry()
• https://sarunw.com/posts/how-to-check-if-swift-code-is-in-debug-build-configuration/