Unable to migrate Xamarin.iOS binding project

[nk-alex]

I'm following this article in order to migrate a Xamarin.iOS binding library to MAUI.

Back in Xamarin.Forms, by creating a iOS Bindings Library (Xamarin), a project like this is generated:

Native references could be added by right click on native references.

In MAUI, when I create a new iOS Binding Library, this is the project generated:

The step 2 in the mentioned article, says Add your native library, or native framework, to the project as a native reference But I'm not able to do it. If I try to add my .a native library as project reference I receive The reference is invalid or unsupported.
If I edit the project myself adding:

<ItemGroup>
    <NativeReference Include="library.a">
        <Kind>Static</Kind>
        <ForceLoad>True</ForceLoad>
    </NativeReference>
</ItemGroup>

the project compiles but I cannot use the generated .dll file.

[nk-alex]

#14775

[munkii]

#14775 does not seem like the same issue to me.

I too am trying to migrate an exisitng iSO XF binding library to a MAUI project. I am aware of the existing issue (from at least 2021) that means you cannot reference the Project directly you have to use the dll

The problem I am having is that VS 2022 IDE just seems to ignore any attempt to add a Native reference.

In Xamarin.iOS binding project migration Step 2 says "Add your native library, or native framework, to the project as a native reference". How do I do that? There is no option to add a native framework in the IDE and any attempt to "Add New Item" just expects me to add a source file.

I see nothing like this menu that was in XF

Step 2 then says "update the project file from your Xamarin.iOS binding project" I assume that means simply copy the text element and into your new CSPROJ file. I've done that and now I have

	<ItemGroup>
		<NativeReference Include="Native Reference/TheProduct.framework">
			<Kind>Framework</Kind>
		</NativeReference>
	</ItemGroup>

However that is not reflected in the IDE I just see

The new binding library builds but looking at its ouput dll in Object Browser there are no types

Here is the complete CSPRoj

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>net8.0-ios</TargetFramework>
    <Nullable>enable</Nullable>
    <ImplicitUsings>true</ImplicitUsings>
    <IsBindingProject>true</IsBindingProject>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <ObjcBindingApiDefinition Include="ApiDefinition.cs" />
    <ObjcBindingCoreSource Include="StructsAndEnums.cs" />
  </ItemGroup>
	<ItemGroup>
		<NativeReference Include="Native Reference/TheProduct.framework">
			<Kind>Framework</Kind>
		</NativeReference>
	</ItemGroup>
</Project>