Apple resources

XLIFF from Xcode

The recommended way for current Xcode projects: export the localizations from Xcode (Export Localizations), add the exported XLIFF 1.2 file to the project, and import the translated file back into Xcode. The XLIFF file covers XIB and storyboard files, .strings files, and String Catalogs. Strings are grouped by their original file, notes are shown as comments, and the translated file gets its target-language. XLIFF as a source file is available in Professional and higher.

XIB and storyboard files

Localizer reads XIB and storyboard files from Xcode 5 and later (document format 3.0) and the older Interface Builder 3 format. Text, titles, placeholders, header and footer titles, tooltips, and labels are translated; the key is the Interface Builder object ID. Professional and higher.

Strings and property lists

.strings files in UTF-8 and UTF-16 and .plist files in XML, binary, and text format are supported. Translated .strings files are written in UTF-8 and ordered by key; comments are not written. Validation reports changed %@ placeholders and accepts reordered ones such as %1$@ %2$d.

Output folders

Translated files go into .lproj folders named as Xcode looks them up, with the $(AppleLang) macro: de.lproj, pt-BR.lproj, zh-Hans.lproj. Projects from earlier versions keep their output pattern. See Macros.