iOS: Releasing app for third party testing - ios

I have developed an iOS app. I want to give it for third party testing. What should i choose scheme when creating build for third party testing, Debug or Release? Third party testing device UDID is included in the provisioning profile.
If I use TestFlight for OTA installation, will the UDID to be included still? (or) TestFlight app doesn't need any UDID included in the build?
Please advise!
Thank you!

(Seems like I can't comment yet). In response to the comments posted to the original question:
TestFlight, part of Burstly, is now Apple propery, as mentioned in this rumor
http://www.macrumors.com/2014/02/21/apple-may-acquire-testflight/
and later confirmed by Apple.
http://recode.net/2014/02/21/apple-confirms-burstly-buy/
As mentioned by someone, Apple uses shuts down their acquisitions and hence it may not be a very good idea to start using it now.

Archive your app, which will be a release build by default as far as I know. Doesn't really matter what the build type is, then in the archive manager click "distribute" and "save for enterprise or ad-hoc deployment", and select a provisioning profile for the app that has your beta tester's device IDs embedded in it, only those devices will be able to run the app.
This will create a file with the profile built in. Users can install it on their phone using three methods:
add it to their iTunes library and sync the phone using USB
use the "iPhone Configuration Utility", which is a free download for windows/mac from Apple's website, and doesn't require iTunes and all the baggage that brings along with it
upload the file to a website and also upload an XML file pointing to the download URL and also a PNG image, display name, and a few other things. Get the iOS device to visit the XML file's URL with itms-services:// as the protocol. Any means to open the URL is fine, email, website link, SMS message, whatever.
Test Flight uses the third approach. But you can easily set it up yourself.
Extensive documentation for all three approaches is available at http://developer.apple.com

Whichever method you use you'll need to build the app with a provisioning profile that includes your tester's device UDID.
I suggest using a Release build, so they are actually going to be testing the same version you are planning on releasing.

Related

Distribute ios app to selected devices without paying for developer program

I am using Xcode 10.1 and I am trying to allow a third party to test the app I have built but don't want to pay for the developer program.
I saw https://www.diawi.com/ but I can't see how to generate a .IPA file for diawi.
I followed the instructions for Fabric but it doesn't auto-detect the product archive file .xarchive.
Any suggestions appreciated
You can't distribute your app to third person without paid apple account. Because you need to add that third person's device's UDID on your apple account and generate new certificates. So yeah, even if you generate ipa of your app and distribute it via Diawi, the other person won't be able to install it, so there's no way to achieve what you want. You can visit here to see more details about different membership programs and features provided by them.

Distribute iOS App executable ( iPA ) to a set of users over email to install

I recently finished an application in Unity for a client who runs a sporting event and wanted the app to let the referees keep a more accurate log of the statistics of each game. When building for android, i get a single file that i can send to my device and install it/run it. The part that i have some questions is re-building that same project for IOS.
I know i MUST have xcode which means i MUST have a mac OS, but here are a few questions that i am unaware of.
1) With the most recent release of xcode, developers dont need the $99 apple developers kit to produce something and test it on their device. From what i learned, is it true that you need to verify each device you send the application to in order to test it?
2) Is there a way to compile the IOS application in a way that i can get a single file, or even a folder, and send it via email to my client, at which point they can download the file to their phone and have the application installed?
3) What is the easiest route i can take in order to get my application into ~30 peoples iphones without individually signing each phone to my application?
Thankyou for your help!
You will have to remove this question as what i understand this is a programming site, Please find the answer for reference below as per your question order.
with xCode 7.0 you can do this, we dont need any licenses and its free for any number of devices to test , refer :- link
Yes you can generate a executable which is termed as iPA , but if you want anyone else to install the iPA, either you will have to generate this using a enterprise profile, or you wil have to add you client device id while generating the profile on apple developer protal :- refer :- link
post which they can install the iPA using itunes
This is not possible as per my knowledge, as Apple has strict poilicies as you cant distribute witout their knowledge. that is the reason of having the apple developer account at first place.
Hope the following helps:
1) For testing on your local device XCode should set up proper provisioning files for the development builds of your app automatically once you purchase a developer license.
2) I build Enterprise Ad Hoc applications for a large publicly traded client and I'm able to send the compiled .IPA file to the client and have him test it by installing it via iTunes after I've signed it with a production certificate through XCode. He tests the app using that method before using a third party vendor to distribute the app on their corporately owned iPhones. The same should work if you sign your application with a production cert, although the aforementioned may be limited to the enterprise account's certificate.
3) If you're trying to remotely install a development version of the app on a test phone you will need to verify the phone via UDID in the Apple Developer center for AdHoc distribution, or use the TestFlight method. You can read more about how to do both of these methods here.
Hope this answer will help you out & good luck!
I think for that what you want you need a Paid Apple Developer because it is not possible (without Jailbreak) to install Apps which are not from the AppStore in iOS. So you have to "test" the App on each iPhone you want the App to run on, or you have to publish it to the AppStore, where you can set, that only specific Apple-IDs may download your app.
Thanks luca4499 and Max. I guess the $99 apple dev kit is the way i'm going to have to go then.
To clarify to other users interested in the same questions.
You can develop for multiple people without using the dev kit as long as your list of people isnt changing often, or you are ok with adding each device separately.
If you want to distribute your application, the easiest way is to get the apple dev kit.

Can we install an unpublished iOS app on a remote device.?

I am developing an iOS app which needs to be tested in a device which is present in another country with the client. If needed I can get the UDID and other details of the device. Can I install my under-development app on that device without publishing my App.? If yes, please explain the procedure.
Thank you all in advance.
Yes, you can. To do this you will need the UDID of all the devices where the App will be installed, and then you need to generate an Ad Hoc provisiong profile for those devices.
https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/IDEs/Conceptual/AppDistributionGuide/TestingYouriOSApp/TestingYouriOSApp.html
To send the app to your client, go to XCode > Product (Menu) > Archive.
Then open Organizer > Archives (Tab) > Distribute. Follow on-screen instructions.
This will generate an .ipa file (executable) which you can then send to your testers (through email, or whatever other mean). He will have to install this .ipa by dragging and dropping it onto iTunes.
For further discussions look at this question.
Yes, you can.
1)Register client's device into device list in your developer account on apples site
2)Generate Ad-Hoc provision profile and send to your client with *.ipa file
3)Test it
Also take a look at 3-rd party services like TestFlight - http://testflightapp.com .Very popular and convenient way to work with beta-testers all around the world.
Answer is yes. You need to get UDID and add it to your developer portal as testing device. Download the provisioning profile and rebuild the app with revised provisioning profile. This app can be send to client for testing.
If you can sign with an Distribution profile for enterprises than you can upload that file on a link and user can Install the iPA file just by clicking on that link..
for more info check on these links..
How to distribute ios application wirelessly without managing UDIDs and recompilation
iPhone Application Enterprise Distribution Process
This an incredibly bad idea. What you are setting up is a back door into any iOS device to plant (potentially) malicious software. While your intentions may be good the long term effects are not.
Publishing your app would require it to go through code review, which is entail to ensure the enteritis of the app.

Distribute iPhone app to testers?

I am working on my iphone app and now I want to send my app to my testers. But how should I send it to them ? Plus, they don't have an Xcode. Is it necessary?
Take a look at Test Flight. We are currently using it and it offers a lot of great tools and is very easy to set up.
testflightapp.com
It distributes it adhoc and then you can push it directly to the testers and allows you to see install statuses. Time spent and other analytic tools.
To answer your other questions. The don't need Xcode. They just need to have their UDID registered on your apple account. They will get sent an email that will ask to download the latest release. The app then installs over the air.
Since iOS 4.0, users have been able to install Ad-Hoc apps over the air. Please note you're required to get the testers' device UDIDs and add them to your device list on developer.apple.com and to the app's the provisioning profile.
You can host the IPA yourself, but I would recommend using TestFlightApp.com.
Macworld wrote a decent article about the gist of it, and TestFlight is fairly straightforward to use, especially since it allows you to send an email or link to your testers and collect the needed UDID from them.
Try diawi.
I find it very simple and very friendly to use. Also there is no wait in the queue type registration stuff. When you open it just drag and drop the .ipa file and the provisioning profile. To verify whether or not your app has been installed, just add your email id in the field mentioned and you will get a confirmatory email about your app installation. For installation at the tester's end they simply need Safari to install the app and the profile.
Below are the steps to create .ipa file (xcode 4.2)
Select iOS Device>Go to Product>Archive>Share>Choose iOS App Store Package (.ipa)>Provide a path to save.
Easily done!!!
From 26 feb 15 Testflight is closed their service...
I have used new link for creating installation link of ipa and distribute link to your client, tester etc.
open this link
http://www.diawi.com/index.php
upload provisioning profile(drag and drop) to their dashboard.
upload ipa(drag and drop) to their dashboard.
click on send button.
after that copy generated link and share to your client and tester.
With iOS 8, Xcode 6, iTunes Connect and TestFlight you don't need UDIDs and Ad Hocs anymore. You will just need an Apple ID from your beta tester. Right now you can only beta test your app with 25 internal testers, but soon 1000 external testers will be available too. This blog post show you how to set up a beta test with internal testers,
http://blog.thebetafamily.com/2014/09/10/testflight-beta-testing-ios-8/

How to upload provisioning profile to iPhone

I want my tester to test my iPhone app. I add his UDID in devices and add provisioning profile for him device. But how can I upload this profile to him iPhone? Thank a lot
If you want to do a good job of monitoring your testers and builds, I would consider using TestFlight. It will handle all of the provisioning for your apps. It will also give you instant feedback as to who has opened your notifications, install progress, what version they are running. They are free right now, and you simply cannot beat how easy it is to use. For developers, by developers.
He can just drag the profile file onto his device via iTunes. But afaik, the profile also installs itself (at least if you use OverTheAir distribution) from the embedded.mobilepovision file within your .ipa file when installing the app on the device. This might also be valid if you just drag it on iTunes...
You can send it to him, and have him drag it to his device via Xcode or iTunes. But you also have to provide him with your developer certificate that Apple gives you and your key. It could work, but you'll more likely end up with headaches since it takes developers hours trying to install the certificates themselves, never mind for other people. If possible, I would try to get it approved first, but don't launch it, and send your tester a promo code.

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