I want to know if it's possible to put an application, on the apple store, that only the company employees can log into.
I know that I can distribute the application in-house only, but my question is about putting an app that won't be accessible to the general user, even if he downloads it, could cause any problems with the validation process ?
Probably that's what you looking for
http://www.apple.com/business/vpp/
or you can distribute your application using one of the many third‑party services:
https://www.apperian.com/
http://ubertesters.com/
http://hockeyapp.net/
https://www.installrapp.com/
etc.
You need Apple Enterprise Developer Program, you'll be given a certificate with which you can install it to multiple devices.
For restricted installation, only for Employees, you might use
Third party MDM
Develop your own server (not complex) with Over-The-Air installation. That is not difficult at all, you just need secure web server (dropbox e.g), special manifest file for your app, and special link in html. When a user taps on it, the app will be installed. Note: you can implement user authorisation/authentication before you show that link.
That could be your solution.
UPDATE
You can use over-the-air installation with developer program as well. You don't necessarily need enterprise program.
The problem is when you prevent other users from using your app.
I'm pretty sure that Apple won't like it.
Related
Is there any way to distribute ios applications through my own website, not using app store?
I mean is there any way that enables end users to download the .ipa file from my website with their browser application and install it directly on their iOS devices?
I have looked around in the web and googled it, but it doesn't seem to be any option for it out there, I just want to make sure of it.
Thank You
There are several possibilities, which probably won't match your needs:
Since last month it's possible to test apps on a device without the need of a paid membership.
There's a possibility to deploy an app through a service like TestFlight, but this needs either a profile installed on the device (like HockeyApp) or always new build since the old ones expire after 30 days.
You could deploy an app with the Enterprise Program
The easy way you describe is not possible.
Apart from the options mentioned above there are 2 more methods.
Method 1:
You could ask the user to open a webpage in safari browser with the following link in it.
href="itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=url of the manifest file"
The app is installed as soon as the user clicks the link.
Method 2:
You can also leverage iOS mdm solutions like Hexnode MDM though its bit of an overkill.
here is a link on how to distribute app without app store
UPDATE:
BuddyBuild service will stop on 1-3-2018, the other alternative I know is https://www.diawi.com
Old ANSWER:
Try BuddyBuild , after making a build you can take link to IPA file and distribute it as shown.
The options include:
App Store (free or paid)
Enterprise Distribution (must be within an organization)
Open source distribution
It does not sound like any of these will meet your requirements, so no.
Further explanation:
Just to be clear, the limitation is not in distributing your .ipa file, it is the ability for users to install it on their phone. iOS requires an app be signed by Apple (from the App Store), from an Enterprise certificate, or from a developer certificate when a valid provisioning profile includes the target device.
Basically there are three ways
App store
With this method anyone with an iPhone can have access to the application. You can distribute an unlimited number of applications like this. Apple gets a 30% cut. Of course, Apple must approve your application.
Ad hoc
You can distribute applications using ad hoc without going through the app store, but you are limited to a maximum of 100 devices. With this method you can distribute your application from a web site, email, etc.
Enterprise
The method is for internal distribution in companies with more than 500 employees. Apple does not provide any more public detail that I could find on this method.
It doesn't sound like any of these methods meet your criteria unless you have fewer than 100 customers and don't plan to exceed that number. It sounds like from the question your customers are not internal to your company.
I would advise contacting Apple. They might be able to arrange some kind of custom distribution deal.
You if don't want to upload your files to the already mentioned web services, you can host your IPA in your own computer and distribute over the internet using ngrok and the approach given by jithin.
I've created a server that does exactly that and also is protected by password. You can check it out here:
https://github.com/Edudjr/IPAServer
To send build to testers or client I am generally using installonair.com which allows to upload IPA file and generate short URL which we can provide to other users and they can download and install easily from that link.
There are other options as well like Apple Testflight, hockeyapp but I found installonair.com is the quick one.
If you have and Enterprise membership you can do this, but it really isn't what they want you to do on a large scale.
Take a look at this question: Deploying an iOS Application Using Apple Enterprise Developer Program
You can use enterprise distribution services like BuildCannon, but you still need an apple enterprise account. I use a custom solution, but it's a pain to maintain.
We're developing an app for an enterprise customer (approx. 1500 of its users are going to use it). At the moment the most likely way we're going to charge them is on a per-usage basis (every time an employee uses the app, we get a small amount), so it's important that the app is distributed only among employees. I'm considering using iOS Developer Enterprise Program ( https://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/enterprise/ ) or releasing an app via a regular iTunes Store with some basic marketing functionality and then letting users to log in and use the real functionality the customer is paying for.
Edit: perhaps the B2B Volume Purchase Program ( https://developer.apple.com/programs/volume/b2b/ ) is the answer?
Are there any other possibilities?
What's the most convenient way of distributing such app?
If I go with iOS Dev Enterprise Program, who should create the account? Us or them? (I'm betting the latter).
I'm pretty sure your per-usage model is against Apple's Ts&Cs in any deployment space (B2B, App Store, etc). I'm also fairly confident that deploying through the App Store will get you flagged eventually when they dive into your code. Either of those deployment models is going to get you shut down and your Enterprise Cert revoked if they ever catch on. Either way you likely want to have someone fluent with legalese look at what you're attempting to do.
The point of using B2B to circumvent the App Store is to allow you to provide a private deployment of an app at a minimal cost without supplying source code. To that point the customer should be the one maintaining the Enterprise account. You would join their account as a Member, compile the code using one of their dev certs and dev provisioning profiles, supply the customer with the .XCArchive file and they can re-sign it with their Enterprise Cert. It's a pretty streamlined process.
The Enterprise Developer program is convenient because you don't need to go through the store review process. Just put up new builds for installation from your own www site. The enterprise whose employees will be using the app needs to get the license. They will need a DUNS number and the application process may take a week or so. They may get a phone call from Apple to verify their intentions and eligibility.
Is it possible to deploy an APP to apple app store, but only allow internal company user to download the APP by their own? Thanks.
Yes it is possible with Apple Enterprise Developer Program.
The Apple Developer Enterprise Program allows large organizations to develop and deploy proprietary, internal-use apps to their employees. This program is for specific use cases that require private distribution directly to employees using secure internal systems or through a Mobile Device Management solution.
Just to augment what others have said there. The Enterprise program is what you want. It allows you to distribute your app to as many devices as you like. But as it's not going through the Apple app store, you will have to work out how you want to do it. There are third party servers out there for doing this sort of thing.
You can also simply "roll your own" by simply creating a web page on your LAN with a like to the downloadable app. The Apple documentation has the details on doing that.
Also note one difference between an Enterprise app and a app store app, is that the Enterprise app certificates will need to be renewed every year. Which means that you will need to update the app every year or it will stop working.
I've read the related questions, but cannot find an answer for whether the following scenario can be solved on the apple platform.
I want to create an app in Adobe Phonegap.
I want this app to be deliverable to only one client with an iPad, with a simple link.
The client is non-technical and very busy so if the app install process takes more than like 2 taps, - like having to register somewhere, it is not a good solution.
Neither of us lives in the US
Is there a good solution for this?
You have several options:
TestFlight
HockeyApp
An Enterprise Certificate
All of those will require one or two taps to install. ;-)
To use TestFlight in iTunes Connect for this, create the iTunes App Store entry as you normally would. Upload the build, and enable beta testing. You'll need the client's email address.
Hockey has a webpage that explains their distribution process: http://hockeyapp.net/features/distribution/
An enterprise certificate would work, but your use case is probably a violation of the terms of service and unless you're a company, you can't get one. I mention it because it technically would work.
I would recommend using hockeyapp.net for this purpose since it's free and generally works pretty well :)
Setup an account, upload your IPA, invite your client as a test user for your app. Your client will need to setup an account on HockeyApp too, but it doesn't take long.
TestFlight is an option too, but it seems to have a harder time dealing with the heavy traffic load it's under a lot of the time. Although it's air-traffic-control-themed error messages are cute...at least the first few times you see them :/
Suppose I have developed an iPhone app. I have very specific clients and I want only them to use.
Clients can easily download / install my app and use it by giving their username and password
I don't want public to know
Clients' copies can automatically be updated if any new releases
How can I do those above? in-house app?
Have a look at apples enterprise distribution program which will provide appropriate guidance for the solution you are looking for.
Also i suggest you to read the FAQ list so that you know a bit more about the enterprise app distribution process. Finally if you are satisfied with this approach then you need to create a build and upload to your server for enterprise distribution then in that case you can check this link.
it is possible only through Enterprise Application distribution
You can develop in-house Application for specific targeted people or clients