Distribute iOS app without paying for developer account - ios

I was wondering if there was a way to distribute an app for free without enrolling in a paid developer account from Apple. I was using services like Pgyer and HockeyApp, but it only works when I download it to my device, and not someone else's device. What could I do that won't make me drop $99 on a developer account?
Thank you in advance!

No there is no way to distribute ready-made apps to other users of non-jailbroken iOS devices without a paid Apple developer account.
If your target is jailbroken devices the answer is different.
Similarly, as #BeauNouvelle points out, if your target is other developers, you can post your source code to a site like Github and others can build the app.
You could also partner with a licensed developer who could post the app for you. If the app is a public-service type app you could likely find a developer willing to do so. You would have to give them the source and other project files and they would build the app. If you go this route, set up the licensing such that the other dev is not allowed to charge for it, and ownership remains with you. You'd also want an NDA in place to protect your intellectual property rights.

Related

Xcode project does not appear on the Apple Developer website

I am working on a project in Xcode, The developer team doesn't appear on the Apple Developer website, only these options.
I really need the rest of the options
I want to do a notification on my app for a school project. I really need the rest of the options.
Thank you all.
Based on the screenshot and the minimum information it provides, I assume you're not logged in using an apple developer account.
There are two ways you can get an apple developer access,
1) You can pay $99 / Year to get a developer account for yourself, I am not entirely sure how this works for educational purposes, You can mail the apple support for any discount.
2) Anyone who has an enterprise apple developer account can add you as a developer under their account.
Without these two ways, you can't explore the apple developer options.

How to distribute iPad App to Customer (B2B) with an iOS enterprise account

My company has an iOS Enterprise Account to distribute In-House Apps. Now we want to develop an app for a customer. The question is: How to deploy the app to the customer's employee's devices? I heard about a "B2B Program", but I wasn't able to find any further details how to deploy to a special Business Store.
I know that there are a lot of discussion about this topic on the net, but I missed the fine details how the process is working in detail.
So what possibilities we have to get the app installed on the customer's employee's iPads?
EDIT: I don't want to invite beta testers or anything similar. I need an official way to install the app on the devices of the customers employees.
Another faster solution then testflightapp is diawi.com.
The link doesn't hold forever but it takes a few seconds to generate a download link.
You either use an archived IPA or a zipped .app , drag it to the relevant part of the site and it generates a download link for you.
We have been using this with a lot of customers with great success.
Just remember - the link is temporary.
Alternatively you can build a simple web page around the IPA file on a server you own (look at the generated diawi page for reference of the tags and info used).
You can also try OTA Distribution process, for more details go through this link.
Here download link is permanent and you don't need to use any third party tool.
How about using a Mobile Distribution Platform like MobileIron?
http://www.mobileiron.com
A few clients at my work use them and their services are pretty good.
I'm doing this for a client now. B2B is, I think, not what you want. Enterprise distribution is intended, by Apple, for in-house distribution. 'In-house' extends as far as out-of-house reps, and even independent contractors who use your client's in-house business app.
Your client should purchase his own Enterprise Developer's certificate, or ask you to purchase one for him. Use that certificate and associated provisioning profile to publish the app (in the usual way using the 'Ad-Hoc' distribution type). Then deploy over-the-air.

iOS enterprise account for distribution

A client wants to use their iOS enterprise account to distribute an app to their clients at event.
They don't want to publish the app to the AppStore, just have people go to a web page and get the app through the page.
I think it can be achieved with their enterprise account but is that in compliance with Apple's guidelines?
I could not find the answer to that.
Thanks!
It can be achieved, but it's not compliant with Apple's Enterprise Developer Account rules.
Even though you can do that (you just compile the app using the Enterprise certificate+provisioning profile), Apple's Enterprise Developer Account doesn't allow you to distribute the app for others that are not employees for the company. It's not an explicit information, but I have already talked to Apple through support and by phone and that's the official answer.

Distributing an enterprise (in-house) iOS app

I am curious as to the process for distributing an iOS app for in-house use. As far as I'm aware you must have an enterprise license. Other questions indicate that Apple simply gives you a key to sign the apps and you can distribute the raw IPK files. Does the company have to register the devices with Apple? I'm sure Apple would not simply give people app signing ability as they can use this to circumvent the appstore
It is very simple to develop applications for in-house use.
If it's for a company (other than yours), they will have to buy an enterprise license and you will just have to compile your code/generate the application using this certificate. There is no need to register any device and the application does not need to pass through the Apple review process or through the Apple Store.
Recently Apple has released a new certificate (namely B2B) which offers you more possibilities to distribute with companies. May be this will help you.
Sorry for misreading the question earlier.
This manual is more related to what you would be doing: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en%5FUS/Enterprise%5FDeployment%5FGuide.pdf

How do you provide builds for clients, when they do not want to give you access to their developer account?

I have a client that has their own enterprise distribution account. They do not want to give me access to their account for security reasons, I don't want to give them unsigned source code for obvious reasons.
What is the best way to handle this situation to create sample builds for them?
Thanks in advance.
A service like testflight would be my starting point.
You build an adhoc build, register their devices, and distribute it to them to test it.
You don't need their Distribution profiles, and they don't need your code. Everyone's fairly happy!
I did some research on the Apple Developer Website and I think I have found the answer to my question
I am a contractor who wants to create an in-house app for my client. Can I join the iOS Developer Enterprise Program to do that?
No. The iOS Developer Enterprise Program is for companies/organizations to develop and distribute proprietary in-house apps to their employees.
Your client should enroll in the iOS Developer Enterprise Program and add the appropriate developers from your company to their iOS Development Team.
From reading that It sounds like I need to have them add me as a developer on the team which will give me some limited access.
You could add their testing device(s) to your own adhoc profile and distribute the app with your adhoc-certificate.

Resources