Is there any such thing, or is the only option to do the clicking about in the Apple Developer site like I have been? To be clear, I mean a programmatic or API-sort of method for generating certificates without manually doing it for each app on the website. The use case, naturally, is doing this for a lot of apps as a batch instead of doing each app one at a time. I know how to work with the certs once I have them. I suspect the answer is no, but just because I don't know of one, doesn't make the question a bad one! Thanks!
You can use Felix Krause ruby gems. They work like a charm, and you can also use the rest of his tools to automate provisioning profiles, screenshots and itunes connect metadate and binary upload.
https://github.com/fastlane/PEM
Related
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.
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.
I am using XCode 6 and building the IPA. I have been following many posts in Stackoverflow and have gather information and the steps as to how to create the provisioning profiles and build the IPA.
I have been able to build the AdHoc IPA and have been successful in deploying it in my device. The application gets launched and is running fine. Now my query is that, as I am able to install the application on my device without any issues, does it mean that the IPA when uploaded to Apple will also get approved. (I am not using any private APIs. I am building my application using Appcelerator).
No, it doesn't mean that at all.
You've proven only the following:
That you have an app that compiles.
That you have an appropriate provisioning profile to load to your device.
Apple cares about a lot more than just that. For instance, you say it's "running fine", but Apple will test it fairly thoroughly to see if they can get it to crash. From personal experience, they might even find a crash that you can't replicate on your end (which is terribly frustrating!).
Also, Apple has gotten more picky about their approval process. I submitted an app that had an extra feature that linked to another app that was related but distinct. Apple ruled that my app was incomplete as it required another app to be fully-functional. What did I do? I removed the extra feature, and then Apple approved the app. Yes, I took away a feature and my app went from "incomplete" to "complete". My point? Apple's review process is fairly subjective and it can depend on who looks at your app and what kind of day they're having.
On your first app submission, be prepared for several back-and-forth sessions where they reject your app and you have something to fix. On the plus side, they're generally pretty specific about the problem they found, so it makes it easier to fix it!
You may get approved the first time out, but it's a higher bar you have to pass than just the items you mentioned in your post.
EDIT
Also, you need to make sure that you have an appropriate Distribution profile. For loading to your device, you are most likely using a Development profile. Make sure you've gone through the steps to create an App Store Distribution Profile (which also required a Distribution Certificate, by the way).
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 :/
I'm developing an app which uses APNS and I would like to distribute it for betatesting to some close friends. This is the first app I build and will be the first time distributing an app.
Well. To test it in my iPhone I had to make a provisioning profile and install a certificate in my iPhone. How can I send my app by email (or smth) and then install it easily without have to put manually the certificate in their iPhones? Which steps should I follow?
Thanks!
This kind of question gets asked often here (and here is another question with answers you might find useful).
I've heard good things about TestFlight. Here is an article describing the service. I hope my answer helps you out!