# Introduction Cordova for iOS ships as a static library. For Astro we include it as a framework so that plugins work properly without being modified. Cordova plugins `#include` Cordova files as `#import `. If we compile Cordova into Astro, then the module name becomes "Astro" for all Cordova classes and `#import ` needs to become `#import `. This is confusing and error prone and so we don't do that. Instead, Cordova is referenced as it's own framework. Cordova doesn't ship with a Framework target (only static `.a` library). When upgrading to a new version of Cordova we have to re-integrate the new files into the Cordova.framework target. Do _not_ delete the entire project and re-create. There be dragons in that path. :) #Upgrading Upgrading the Cordova library to the newest version is fairly straightforward. All we need to do is get the updated code and swap in the new classes. The goal is to not have to touch project settings or re-create the Cordova.framework target! 1. Download the latest iOS tarball (`cordova-ios-X.Y.Z.tgz`) from the Apache Cordova [distribution page](https://www.apache.org/dist/cordova/platforms/). 1. Delete all files in the `Classes` directory (if the updated code includes a `Classes` folder the easiest thing to do is simply delete the `Classes` folder in the project and drag it in from the downloaded update. Be sure *Create Groups* is selected, *Copy Items if Needed* is checked off, and the *Cordova* target is selected.) This will cause all of the code files that you have dragged in to be added to the Cordova target. 1. Now you need to set the appropriate header files to be *Public*. The easiest way to do this is to begin by compiling the *Sandbox* project. You will get compiler errors about `.h` files not being found. For each file, select it in the *Project navigator* and change it's visibility to *Public* under the *Target Membership* section of the *File inspector*. You will need to keep attempting to compile and marking the next file as *Public* until it compiles cleanly. That's it!