Share iOS app .ipa file to client or tester without going through Apple TestFlight process

Satish Thakur
2 min readJun 27, 2020

[ IMPORTANT NOTE:

  1. The client device or tester device UUID should be added in trusted device or device list on Apple appstore only then they will able to install the application.
  2. Only 100 UUID you are able to add in a particular developer account.]

Sometimes we have to face problem in sharing iOS .ipa using Testflight with our remote client or testers.
And we have many questions in our mind like

  • How to share .ipa with client or tester.
    - Share .ipa without testflight process.
    - App failed the testflight review process but still need to send build with client or tester.
    - Testflight process is time consuming, how to share .ipa in a easy way.
    - Fastest way to share .ipa with client or tester.

So, Here I’m sharing my answer for such questions in two parts:

  1. Create .ipa file
  2. Share .ipa file

STEPS TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF SHARING .IPA:

1. CREATE .IPA FILE
Step 1: Select the iOS Device then Go to Product TabCompile and Build Your Project Successfully.
Step 2: Select the iOS device → Generic iOS Device
Step 3: Go to the Product Tab and click on Archive to make an archive of your workspace or project.
Step 4: Once after achieve is successfully done, Go to the Window Tab → Click Organizer
Step 5: Select your archive from the list of archives and click on Distribute App.
Step 6: Select method of distribution as ad Hoc and click Next then select ad Hoc distribution option and select App thinning as NONE for all device and click Next
Step 7: Select Signing Method as automatically signing or manual signing and click Next
Step 8: After successful compilation, you will see Export button and click Export
Step 9: Export the archive to desired location and after that Open the Export Folder you will see your .ipa file

2. SHARE .IPA FILE
Step 10: Open Diawi or InstallOnAir and drag your .ipa file
Step 11: After successfully uploading you will get the link or url for your .ipa
Step 12: Share the link with client or tester, and say them to open it on safari browser to install the .ipa

Hurray :) :) Its done and successfully installed.
Suggestion are always welcome

HAPPY CODING

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Satish Thakur

Senior Software Engineer having a keen interest in exploring new updates and technologies, for day by day self improvement.