A real-time messaging iOS application built with Swift and Firebase, featuring instant messaging, user authentication, and cloud data synchronization.
- Platform: iOS 13.0+ (iPhone/iPad)
- Build: Xcode 12.0+ required
- Backend: Firebase Firestore & Authentication
- Swift 5.0+ - Modern iOS development language
- UIKit - Native iOS user interface framework
- Firebase Firestore - Real-time cloud database
- Firebase Auth - User authentication and management
- CocoaPods - Dependency management
- MessageKit - Chat UI framework (if used)
- Email/password user registration and login
- Firebase Authentication integration with secure token management
- Auto-login functionality with persistent user sessions
- Input validation with real-time error feedback
- Instant message delivery with Firebase Firestore listeners
- Chat bubbles with sender identification and timestamps
- Message history persistence across app launches
- Automatic scroll-to-bottom for new messages
- Modern iOS design following Human Interface Guidelines
- Custom chat bubble design with sender/receiver styling
- Smooth keyboard handling and text input optimization
- Navigation between login, register, and chat screens
- Real-time database synchronization across multiple devices
- Message encryption and secure data transmission
- Offline message caching with sync on reconnection
- User presence indicators and typing status
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# Install CocoaPods
sudo gem install cocoapods
xcode-select --install
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# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/snig-17/FlashChat.git
cd FlashChat
pod install
open FlashChat.xcworkspace
- Create new project in Firebase Console
- Add iOS app with bundle identifier
- Download GoogleService-Info.plist and add to Xcode project
- Enable Firestore Database and Authentication in Firebase Console
- Configure Authentication providers (Email/Password)
- Launch app → Welcome screen with animated logo
- Register → Create new account with email/password
- Login → Access chat interface with existing credentials
- Chat → Send/receive real-time messages with other users
- Persistence → Messages remain after app restart
- iPhone - iOS 13.0+ with full feature support
- iPad - iPadOS 13.0+ with adaptive layouts
- Simulator - Full Xcode Simulator compatibility
- Network - Requires internet connection for real-time features
- Message Delivery: < 100ms real-time updates
- Authentication: < 2s login/registration flow
- Data Sync: Automatic background synchronization
- Offline Support: Message caching with sync on reconnection
- Memory Usage: Optimized with lazy loading and efficient cell reuse
- Firebase Auth with secure token-based authentication
- Password strength validation and secure storage
- Automatic session management and token refresh
- End-to-end encrypted message transmission
- Firestore security rules for user data protection
- Input sanitization and XSS prevention
- Clean separation between View Controllers and data models
- Firebase integration through dedicated service layer
- Delegate pattern for real-time message updates
- Firestore listeners for instant message delivery
- Efficient data binding with automatic UI updates
- Connection state monitoring and offline handling
- Custom UITableViewCells for chat bubbles
- Programmatic constraints for responsive design
- Keyboard handling with smooth animations
- UIKit navigation and view controller lifecycle
- Auto Layout and programmatic UI creation
- TableView optimization and custom cell design
- Keyboard handling and text input management
- Firestore real-time database operations
- Firebase Authentication implementation
- Cloud security rules and data modeling
- CocoaPods dependency management
- WebSocket-like real-time communication patterns
- Efficient data synchronization strategies
- Offline-first architecture principles
- User experience optimization for messaging apps
MIT License - Created for iOS development learning and portfolio demonstration.