How should i use Azure Mobile Services with PCL or without it now?

Question

I updated to latest version of Xamarin, where PCL is \"fully supported\". How can i use Azure Mobile Services now?

if i create PCL lib and trying to add it with NuGe

Answer 1

First, make sure you are using version 1.1.5 or above of either the NuGet or the Xamarin Component as previous versions had some issues with PCL support.

For a step by step guide on using Mobile Services in a PCL, see this tutorial.

If you install the Xamarin Component or the NuGet package for Azure Mobile Services into your Android application, you will find it adds these references (among others):

• Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Mobile.dll
• Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Mobile.Ext.dll

The first assembly is a PCL, the second assembly has platform specific implementation (and that is what you are missing with the error message above).

The NuGet package for Mobile Services has specific platform targets defined for Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android so if you are using Visual Studio, you have the option to use just the NuGet and skip the Xamarin component completely.

Due to some bugs in how the BCL NuGet packages (HttpClient, Bcl.Build, etc) interact with Xamarin, there are a few workarounds you'll need to be aware of. See the tutorial above for the necessary steps.