How to create .ipa file using Xcode?

Question

Please tell me the complete procedure to build my app & use it on a real iPhone.

coder · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-26T07:16:24.773

274

In Xcode Version 10.0

Go to Window -> Organizer
Then select your app archive from archives
Then click the "Distribute App" button on right panel

Then follow the below steps

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6 : Finally select the place you want to save the .ipa file

In Xcode Version 9.2

Go to Window -> Organizer
Then select your app archive from archives
Then click the "Upload to App Store" button on right panel
Then follow the following steps

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4 Finally select the place you want to save the .ipa file

edited Oct 26 '18 at 07:16

answered Dec 22 '17 at 11:23

coder

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I'm using Xcode 10.1 and in the path: **Window -> Organizer** there's no app archive. How to create my app's archive firstly in Xcode 10.1, please? – Franky Mar 15 '19 at 23:16
1

hope this [link](https://help.apple.com/xcode/mac/current/#/devf37a1db04) will help you – coder Mar 16 '19 at 04:19
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Thanks, this helped, but I get these two errors when performing "Archive" on Xcode 10.1: *clang: error: -ffunction-sections is not supported with -fembed-bitcode*, *clang: error: -fdata-sections is not supported with -fembed-bitcode*. Would you help, please? – Franky Mar 16 '19 at 08:15
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I found some similar problem in this [SO tread](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8301649/xcode-4-clang-error) this is regarding about earlier Xcode version but similar situation like you. hope this will help you – coder Mar 16 '19 at 08:33
Also you could try out switching to legacy build system. As i remember you could found it in following location. **File > Project/Workspace Settings** – coder Mar 16 '19 at 08:41
I searched much for the sections remarked on that thread but found nothing close to my Xcode, unfortunately. [Here](https://imgur.com/driWRrJ) is the *Clang* sections of my Xcode. I also tested both *New/Legacy Build System*, but both had the same result! :( – Franky Mar 16 '19 at 10:01
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sorry @Franky I think it would be better. if you could post separate question regarding this matter on SO. Someone will help you who has faced similar problem like this – coder Mar 16 '19 at 15:00
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Thanks @coder. Did [it](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55198638/clang-errors-when-trying-to-archive-an-ios-app-in-xcode-10-1). – Franky Mar 16 '19 at 15:54
No problem @franky. Great I saw that you have found the solution. – coder Mar 16 '19 at 16:34
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Yeah, the one who answered is great, and I thank you too for suggesting to create a separate question on that. :) – Franky Mar 16 '19 at 16:37
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I exported my app with the "iOS App Store" option (Xcode 10.2.1), then copied the .ipa file to my iPad as shown [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w7xORCVJC4#t=1m25s). It installed the app but the icon was grey and the app also only wiggled once instead of starting (see question [here](https://stackoverflow.com/q/56988327/2016165)). Changing the "Build Configuration" from "Debug" to "Release" didn't help either. The second .ipa I exported with "Ad Hoc" instead works just fine now - no matter what "Build Configuration" I'm using. – Neph Jul 11 '19 at 12:39
glad to help you @sheriff_paul :) – coder Aug 05 '20 at 05:22
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Such a useful comment , Thanks a lot – Nixon Mathew Feb 24 '21 at 14:43
How do I install ipa file on my iOS device? – Akira Chen Jun 29 '21 at 07:31

Ashok R · Answer 2 · 2018-10-18T16:45:35.147

In addition to kus answer.

There are some changes in Xcode 8.0

Step 1: Change scheme destination to Generic IOS device.

Step 2: Click Product > Archive > once this is complete open up the Organiser and click the latest version.

Step 3: Click on Export... option from right side of organiser window.

Step 4: Select a method for export > Choose correct signing > Save to Destination.

Xcode 10.0

Step 3: From Right Side Panel Click on Distribute App.

Step 4: Select Method of distribution and click next.

Step 5: It Opens up distribution option window. Select All compatible device variants and click next.

Step 6: Choose signing certificate.

Step 7: It will open up Preparing archive for distribution window. it takes few min.

Step 8: It will open up Archives window. Click on export and save it.

It seems like this requires a $99 membership in Apple Developer Program — Elliott B, Jul 22 '18 at 02:05

score 52 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 15 '13 at 01:02

52

Click Product > Archive from the menu, once this is complete open up the Organiser and click the latest version > Distribute > Save for Enterprise or Ad-Hoc Deployment > Choose correct signing > Save to destination

answered Feb 15 '13 at 01:02

Kus

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While exporting there are 4 options. iOS app store, ad-hoc, enterprise and development. Which option should i choose? My requirement is this ipa is required by the qa team for testing purpose. – iPhoneDeveloper Sep 11 '17 at 05:19
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@iPhoneDeveloper You can choose ad-hoc or development option in your case. – Sharath Kumar Mar 27 '18 at 10:11

Dave Anderson · Answer 4 · 2013-10-11T11:09:36.873

You will need to Build and Archive your project. You may need to check what code signing settings you have in the project and executable.

Use the Organiser to select your archive version and then you can Share that version of your project. You will need to select the correct code signing again. It will allow you to save the .ipa file where you want.

Drag and drop the .ipa file into iTunes and then sync with your iPhone.

EDIT: Here are some more detailed instructions including screenshots;

How to distribute ad hoc build with XCode 4

score 32 · Answer 5 · edited Mar 03 '22 at 06:01

32

In Xcode-11.2.1

You might be see different pattern for uploading IPA
Steps:-

i) Add your Apple Developer id in Xcode -> preferences -> accounts

ii) Clean Build Folder :-

iii) Archive

iv) Tap on Distribute App

v) Choose Ad-hoc to distribute on designated device

vi) Tricky part -> User can download app from company's website URL. Many of us might get stuck and start creating website url to upload ipa, which is not required. Simply write google website url with https :)

vii) Click on export and you get ipa.

viii) Visit https://www.diawi.com/ & drag and drop ipa you have downloaded. & share the link to your client/user who want to test :)

edited Mar 03 '22 at 06:01

Oriol Roma

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answered Dec 09 '19 at 17:42

Shrawan

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Nice to mention that if you are pointing to an emulator then Archive will be disabled – Raul H Feb 25 '20 at 18:23
@RaulH is there any other way to select archive without actually connecting the real iphone device ? Like by pointing to simulator only ? – Aayush Shah Nov 29 '21 at 18:05
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@Aayush Shah you have to select 'Any iOS Device', it s before the simulators in the simulator list. – Alexandre Dec 30 '21 at 12:37

Jayprakash Dubey · Answer 6 · 2017-10-11T10:12:35.413

Archive process (using Xcode 8.3.2)

Note : If you are using creating IPA using drag-and-drop process using iTunes Mac app then this is no longer applicable for iTunes 12.7 since there is no built-in App store in iTunes 12.7.

Select ‘Generic iOS Device’ on device list in Xcode

Clean the project (cmd + shift + k as shortcut)

Go to Product -> Archive your project

Once archive is succeeded this will open a window with archived project
You can validate your archive by pressing Validate (optional step but recommended)
Now press on Export button

This will open list of method for export. Select the export method as per your requirement and click on Next button.

This will show list of team for provisioning. Select accordingly and press on ‘Choose’ button.

Now you’ve to select Device support -> Export one app for all compatible devices (recommended). If you want IPA for specific device then select the device variant from list and press on ‘Next’ button.

Now you’ll be able to see the ‘Summary’ and then press on ‘Next’ button

Thereafter IPA file generation beings and later you’ll be able to export the IPA as [App Name - Date Time] and then press on ‘Done’.

When i do step 7 i receive this error: **Distribution requires enrollment in the Apple Developer Program. Visit https://developer.apple.com/account to enroll.** what should i do? — Amin Rezaew, Aug 02 '22 at 22:02

score 4 · Answer 7 · edited Jan 04 '19 at 05:48

Easiest way, follow the steps :

step 1: After Archive project, right click on project and select show in finder

step 2: Right click on that project and select show as Show package contents, in that go to Products>Applications

step 3: Right click on projectname.app

step 4: Copy projectname.app into a empty folder and zip the folder(foldername.zip)

step 5: Change the zipfolder extension to .ipa(foldername.zip -> foldername.ipa)

step 6: Now you have the final .ipa file

score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Dec 01 '11 at 04:31

At the time of Building select device as iOS device. Then build the application. Select Product->Archive then select Share and save the .ipa file. Rename the ipa file to .zip and double click on zip file and you will get .app file in the folder. then compress the .app file of the application and iTunesArtwork image. it will be in the format .zip rename .zip to .ipa file.

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Jan 10 '19 at 13:55

0

Here is the steps I followed to export the .ipa

Validate the archive
Click on on distribute the app
Click the distribution method
Choose the export in the next screen (The screen shown only if the archive is validated)

answered Jan 10 '19 at 13:55

Shareef

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Hrusikesh · Answer 10 · 2023-08-19T20:36:25.283

In Xcode Version 14.2 (14C18)

Follow the below steps for generating an IPA file Steps:-

Step-1:

Verify your Apple Developer Account in Xcode -> settings -> accounts.

Step-2:

Select the target simulator device as Any iOS Device(arm64) and then in Xcode navigate go to Product -> clean Build Folder.

After project gets cleaned successfully again in Xcode navigate to Product -> Archive.

Step-3:

After successfully completed building archive file you will able to see a window like below then click on Distribute App and select Development and then click on next and again next with default development distribution options available