Install and Share .ipa file on iOS without using TestFlight (2024)

Hello Everyone, in this article i will share how to install and share the .ipa file into Iphone or any iOS device without deploying to App Store and TestFlight.

Install and Share.ipa file on iOS without using TestFlight (2)

I found this very helpful for sharing the ipa file direct to any users and test the iOS build.So let’s start with the process.

Step 1: GENERATE IPA FILE 🔨

First Open Xcode and Select any simulator or iOS device, then run your application.

  • After successful running , now you can build a release file.Go to Product Tab .
  • Select Scheme and choose Edit Scheme .
  • In Edit Scheme , select “Run” and in info tab , set Build Configuration as “Release”.
Install and Share.ipa file on iOS without using TestFlight (3)
  • Now Select the iOS device as —>Any iOS Device
  • Go to Product Tab and select archive menu to archive your project .This process may take more time.
  • After successful archive , click on “Distribute App” and then Select “Ad Hoc” as distribution method.
  • After this, you will get an option for App Thinning , Here you wait for some minutes and then it will be selected as “None”.

And uncheck the option :“include manifest for over-the-air installation”.

Install and Share.ipa file on iOS without using TestFlight (4)
  • Then Select Signing method as Automatically or Manually signing.
  • After Successful compilation , you will get an Export Button.
  • After clicking this button, You can save your Export Folder into any of your system location.
  • When you open this folder, you will have the ipa file there.

So, Finally 🤟!! We generated the ipa file.

Step 2: Installation and Sharing Process

— > Open Diawi or InstallOnAir link.

  • Here you can upload your ipa file and generate a downloadable link.
  • After successful upload, you will get a link.
  • Now you can share the link to whom you want.
  • For download, you can open the link from your iOS device and install it.

[ Note:This installation can be done only from Safari Browser. ]

That’s it ,from this process we can build and test our iOS application without deploying it into AppStore TestFlight.

Hope You’ll like this article 😎.

Install and Share .ipa file on iOS without using  TestFlight (2024)

FAQs

Install and Share .ipa file on iOS without using TestFlight? ›

You can create an Ad Hoc distribution profile in Xcode, build the app, and then share the app package (IPA file) with your testers. They can install the app on their devices using iTunes or Apple Configurator.

How to share IPA without Testflight? ›

You can create an Ad Hoc distribution profile in Xcode, build the app, and then share the app package (IPA file) with your testers. They can install the app on their devices using iTunes or Apple Configurator.

How do I distribute apps without Testflight? ›

If you do not want to use Testflight, then you can do this by exporting an IPA file with the app-store export method. Before deploying your app to the App Store, you might want to release it to external testers who can test it on their devices outside the development environment.

Can we directly install IPA file in iPhone? ›

In this section, we cover how to install an IPA/ app on a device if you have XCode installed on your machine. It will open the Devices and Simulators window. Select the Devices section and select the device from the left pane. Drag and drop the app/IPA on to the 'INSTALLED APPS' section.

How to share an IPA file to an iPhone? ›

From a Windows PC
  1. Open iTunes on your PC.
  2. Plug your Apple Mobile Device into your PC via the USB cable included with your device.
  3. Drag and drop the IPA File to the Device Section of the Library Panel on the left side.
  4. The IPA should will install.
Sep 30, 2021

How to distribute iOS IPA? ›

To distribute your app to testers, upload the IPA file using the Firebase console:
  1. Open the App Distribution page of the Firebase console. ...
  2. On the Releases page, select the app you want to distribute from the drop-down menu.
  3. Drag your app's IPA file to the console to upload it.

How do I upload an iOS IPA? ›

Upload Your Application to the App Store
  1. On the Mac, run the Application Loader application.
  2. On the Application Loader, select Deliver App.
  3. In the combo box, select the application entry you previously created in iTunes Connect.
  4. Click the Choose button, and browse to your application archive file ( . ipa ). ...
  5. Click Send.

How to share iOS apps without App Store? ›

How To Distribute iOS Apps Without Using The App Store?
  1. iOS Developer Enterprise Program.
  2. Ad Hoc Provisioning Profiles.
  3. Distribution Provisioning Profile.
  4. Other Alternatives for iOS App distribution outside App Store.
  5. Distribution through App Store.
  6. Distributing apps in Android.
  7. iOS v/s Android: The better choice for SME'S.
Mar 16, 2023

How to distribute iOS apps privately? ›

Private App Distribution Using Apple App Store Connect

Navigate to the Apps section and add your enterprise app using the 'new app' option. Enter app details such as the app name, platform, user access type, etc. Under the pricing & availability section, choose 'private' as the app distribution method.

How to generate an IPA file from Xcode? ›

In Xcode, select Product → Destination and then choose Any iOS Device (arm64).
  1. Select Product → Archive.
  2. This makes the build available in the next step.
  3. Generate IPA File. ...
  4. From the certificates and development profiles screen, select the Distribution profile you want to use. ...
  5. Select the location to save the IPA.

Why can't I install IPA files on my iPhone? ›

ipa file, sometimes the app install may fail due to an error within the app. It could also fail in the following cases: if iOS Entitlements Support is enabled for your app, and your app is not signed using an iOS Distribution Certificate.

How do I run an iOS IPA? ›

An IPA file is technically not meant to be opened. It can be used to test the application it stores or submitted directly to the Apple App Store. You can however open an IPA file if you wish to. Use an unzip tool like Winzip or 7-Zip to decompress an IPA file and see the contents inside it.

How to install IPA files using 3uTools? ›

Operations:
  1. Launch 3uTools, and connect your iPhone to your computer with USB cable.
  2. Click iDevice → Apps on the left side. ...
  3. Click import & install ipa or drag the uncracked . ...
  4. After that, these apps are being installed on your iDevice now.
  5. Now these 3 applications have been installed on your iDevice, you can use them.

How do I install an IPA file on my iPhone without iTunes? ›

Download Cydia Impactor from its official website > Install and launch it on your computer. Step 2. Drag and drop the . ipa file you saved into Cydia Impactor > Enter your Apple ID and password in a pop-up dialogue box > Then tap OK to confirm.

How do I connect my iPhone to an IPA? ›

Ensure that you're signed into iCloud and both your iPhone and your iPad. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, select your name at the top of the screen, and choose iCloud. Under the "Apps using iCloud" heading, select Show All. Toggle the switch to turn syncing on or off for those apps or services.

How to generate an IPA link? ›

Build IPA files for Real Devices
  1. In Xcode, launch your app project.
  2. Choose a iOS Device (arm64) or any Generic iOS Device as the device target for your project.
  3. Choose Clean from the Product menu.
  4. Go to the Product menu and choose Build.
  5. Redirect to the generated .

How to share an iOS app for testing? ›

Using email to invite testers

If you know a tester's email address, you can email them an invitation with a link to install your app and start testing. If you have an existing set of external testers or specific people you'd like to invite to test, email can be an effective way to share beta versions of your app.

Is it safe to share IPA? ›

You can distribute your IPA file to your users, customers, or clients via iOS TestFlight. Anyone who wishes to view your app would need to install TestFlight on their iOS device first. Visit the support article to learn more about viewing an iOS app via TestFlight.

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