iOS - Where to save files so they remain after app updates

I know this is an older thread, but I wanted to share what I typically use when I'm saving data to a device.

public var file: File = File.userDirectory; //retains the information from the previous install.

OR

public var file: File = File.applicationStorageDirectory; //Overwrites when the user updates their app.

Make sure to add these variables:

public var filestream: FileStream = new FileStream();

public var appDataTemp: String;

Then you just need to add a function that saves the data.  I like to make mine a string that I later split based on some unique seperator.

public function saveData() {

            try {

                filestream.open(file, FileMode.WRITE);

                filestream.writeUTF(score+ "&&&" + currentLevel + "&&&" + username );

                filestream.close();

                debug_text.text = score+ "&&&" + currentLevel + "&&&" + username ;

            } catch (error: Error) {

                trace("update failed");

            }

}

Here's where you would read the data:

public function readData() {

                try {

                    file = file.resolvePath("myTextFileName.txt");

                    filestream.open(file, FileMode.UPDATE);

                    appDataTemp = filestream.readUTF();

                    var pulledData = appDataTemp.split("&&&");

                    score = int(pulledData[0]);

                    currentLevel = int(pulledData[1]);

                    username = pulledData[2];

                    debug_text.text = "LOADED: " + appDataTemp;

                } catch (error: Error) {

                    //Testing on PC

                    trace("ERROR: no myTextFileName.txt");

                    score = 0;

                    currentLevel = 1;

                    username = "";

                }

                filestream.close();

}

Any files saved to File.documentsDirectory will not be deleted when your app is updated via the App Store.

This behaviour doesn't apply though when you are re-installing the app via your IDE, say Flash CC for example but you should be able to test if using TestFlight. www.testflightapp.com

i.e. download v1.0.0 of your app from Testflight and run your app (files will be created and saved). Save some new data or settings to the file.

Then create a v1.0.1 and download that from Testflight. This should install the new app but leave the documents directory intact.

You could also test applicationstoragedirectory to see if the same behaviour applies.

When your app is launched it's important to test to see if the files exists before trying to create new ones.

NB. File.documentsDirectory should only be used to store data that cannot be easily redownloaded from a web server as this directory is backed up to iCloud (if available).

I use the SharedObjects class which stores data as long as the user has the app installed, when updated it keeps the data but if uninstalled and reinstalled all data is wiped. The way AIR installs apps on test machines is not like an App Store update but more like an uninstall and reinstall so its not a good simulator. However this issues only exists on iOS on android overwriting an installed app keeps the shared objects in tact.

Could you please share the steps you are using to update the application.

Regards,

Nimit