viewController custom init method with storyboard

im having trouble overriding the initialization method for my CustomViewController thats designed in my Storyboard.

now im doing (in my mainViewController):

self.customViewController = [[UIStoryboard storyboardWithName:@"MainStoryboard_iPhone" bundle:nil] instantiateViewControllerWithIdentifier:@"CustomVC"];
self.customViewController.myObject = someObject;

and i have in viewDidLoad (CustomViewController)

    [self.label setText:self.myObject.someString];

This works ok.

But, is it the correct way? Should i add a custom init method (or override) to my CustomViewController ? Like initWithObject: ? I dont know how to call my custom init method instead of UIStoryboard instantiateViewControllerWithIdentifier:, and im not getting calls to init nor initWithNibName.

Maybe i should use: - (id)initWithCoder:(NSCoder *)decoder.

Please give me some advice!

Thank you!

The designated initializer for view controllers in storyboards is -initWithCoder:. Since most view controllers from a storyboard are created via segues, you usually see state set during -prepareForSegue:sender:.

If you're instantiating a view controller directly from the storyboard like in the example you provided, then the pattern you've selected is appropriate.

As another "workaround" for this problem, you could use delegation. Create a protocol that would act as data source for your UIViewController subclass from storyboard. Conform to this data source protocol, implement it and use it right after loading your UIViewController subclass:

required init?(coder aDecoder: NSCoder)
    {
        super.init(coder: aDecoder)
        
        //invoke your data source here
    }

I know... I also don't like this but... ;)