I have created an iPhone application. I don't have the iPhone and I want to test the application on the iPhone of my friend who is far from me. How can I test it on his iPhone?
When I searched on google, it told me that you need to have the device with you. Is it possible to send the wrap and send the application to a remote location and get tested from there? I also have the Apple ID and license.
Yes with a tool like TestFlight you will be able to check wether or not your will work on a device. Thus is good for acceptance testing but never for technical working of an app.
But when it comes to really testing a device is needed, there is not way around it. You should do performance testing on a device.
Also there is no way to use the debugger unless it is connected to your development machine.
If you are developing for iOS get an iOS device.
It's possible, check Test Flight:
https://testflightapp.com/
I used it in the past for the same scenario as you
You should have a device yourself for testing on, before you publish anything in the App Store. Testing in the simulator is just not the same as testing on a device.
On developer.apple.com you will need to create a Ad Hoc distribution profile. You will also need to add all the devices you want to run the app on to this profile. Once you have the profile and you have it installed in Xcode, you can run an Archive build and sign it with the distribution profile. After this you can select the archive and click on 'Distribute...' to generate a .ipa file.
Once you have this .ipa file, you could use a site like testflightapp.com to distribute the app to test-devices. (you could also just email it ;-) )
If you are looking for just a way to transfer the ipa to someone else the best simplest solution for that would be http://www.diawi.com/ or https://appsendr.com
Get the target Device UDID and add it to your testing list, Create your IPA, drag it to the site above, Done.
No need to signup or anything like that.
I like appsendr better because of the small app they provide.
Lets you drag the IPA to your tool bar and have the ipa url right in your clipboard once it's uploaded.
Related
I have created a mobile app using Phonegap Build (not just Phonegap...but Build). I have a Windows PC and do not use eclipse or xcode. I just write the Javascript and let Build do all the complex stuff for me.
I can easily test my app on an Android device by scanning the QR code that is displayed on the Build page after my app compiles....but how can I test on an iPhone or iPad? I can convince a family member to loan me one for a day, but I don't have a Mac (I could probably visit another friend to use one, briefly).
It would not be appropriate at this point to spend $99 on a developer certificate, even though this app may be submitted to the store eventually. If $99 is the only option, I would be grateful to anyone who makes this clear!
Or perhaps I just need to learn about TestFlight or Lesspainful? The descriptions are confusing me at present, but I will try harder if I hear some experts tell me that this is the right way to go!
It would be good to test on a real Apple device, as I haven't had much luck getting an emulator going...but perhaps the only answer to my dilemma is to tell me to stick with emulators. (In which case: is there a nice step-by-step tutorial for a complete beginner to install an iPhone emulator in Windows?).
Thank you.
If you want to test on a device, your app needs to be signed using your certificate. You'll also need a development provision profile that includes the device ID's of any devices you want to test on. In order to get those things, you need to join Apple's iOS developer program. This is true even if you're using the PhoneGap Build service; in order to build for a device, you need to upload your certificate and provision profile to PhoneGap Build. Look at PhoneGap Build's Building for iOS page for complete information. All this means that you'll need to pay the $99 fee to join the iOS Developer Program.
An alternative is to jailbreak your device (or, in this case, your friend's device). You can find instructions for that on the web if you're so inclined. However, I don't think you'll be able to build through PhoneGap Build in that case -- you'll need to build your app yourself with Xcode or possibly some other set of tools.
Just as an update for anyone else that ends up here. You can now use Adobe PhoneGap Developer App which allows you to run the Apps on devices without ID's, licenses etc. Here is a guide to getting started.
You would need to join the Apple Developer Program to be able to sign the build and create the .IPA to use TestFlight or other methods to get the build onto the device.
There are options for you to test on a device without that though - see App.io for an in-browser emulator.
Whether you go with that or TestFlight I've blogged about Getting mobile app builds to your customers which includes the pros and cons of the options and the steps you'd need to go through.
install iTune on your windows PC. Copy IPA file to application directory of iTune. When connecting device (iPhone,iPad or iPod), sync apps. Then you can test on real device.
I followed the instructions to generate an ad-hoc distribution file (.ipa) for my app, now I have couple questions
1. do I still need to zip it up with mobileprovision file to give to my tester?
2. would it be possible for other unauthorized people to deploy on to their iphone and run the app? I believe the device UUID should prevent that, but just want to make sure.
You don't need to additionally provide the provisioning profile. Xcode will put it into the .ipa file, if you generated the .ipa with the Organizer.
By default it will not be possible. BUT if someone else has a jailbroken device, it is possible to run the app. Also if the other person has a iOS developer certificate, he can resign it with his own certificate and run the app. But other than that, the app will not run if the device is not part of the provisioning profile.
What VeryVito said. Would also like to add: have you seen Testflight? Makes getting your app to testers a lot easier. And Testflight has a (optional) SDK so you can add various things to your app, like tracking waypoints, etc.
You will need the mobileprovision file as well. And no, others not included in the profile will not be able to run the app.
I have an initial build of my app which I want to circulate for testing to few others who do not have XCode with them. All I want to do is pass them the binary which they will install to their devices using iTunes. I have created my developer certificate, created an app id and added the device udids in my provisioning portal.
So now can I directly email them the binary and ask them to drag and drop into itunes and then on the device ?
Thanks!
I tested it myself and it's amazing: You should try Testflight.
It's a simple to use service (free) that allows you to distribute your adHoc builds easy and fast (might sound like advertising but it's really one of the best tools I came across).
Build archive and it will appear in organizer. There is big Share button that allows you to save ipa file which you pass on to testers.
I'm currently creating an iPhone app and we need some testing with about 20~30 users.
Actually we put the app on our iPhone by connecting the iPhone to the computer and debugging the app.
But now we need to have a more efficient way to install the app on iPhone but without submitting it to Apple Store and also without the need to connect the iPhone to the computer hosting Xcode.
Do you think there is a way to do that ?
Thanks in advance :)
Yeah there's a very slick way to do adhoc distribution under iOS 4 that's outlined here. This method involves absolutely zero usb cables and does not require a jailbroken device either. Perfectly legit and above board.
You need to use AdHoc installation. Please see this nice Apple document, it should cover every step necessary even with step-by-step instructions.
I use www.TestFlightApp.com, it's a great services, not out yet, but recently opened up their beta's, it does all the ad hoc stuff for you alls you need to do is invite testers, let it export it to your dev portal. Then you just upload the ipa to the site, and all your testers get an email.
I want to build my iPhone app only using device ID without connecting the device to my apple PC. Can I do this?
You can use the simulator, and never develop on the device. Is that what you mean? I wouldn't like to be one of your customers when I bought that app from the appstore in that case though - there would be so many defects.
If you don't mean that, how would you get the app on your device? I'm confused.
Are you suggesting that you do not want to test your app on a real device before releasing it? Please don't do that. There are a lot of differences when testing the app on a device or on simulator.
If you want to create a build for adhoc testing without connecting a device to your mac, you can do that by simply creating a mobileprovision file for adhoc testing where you can specify upto 100 device ids. For this you need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program though.
If I read your question right, you want to put your app on your phone without actually connecting your phone?
If so, it is not possible. You must connect your phone to load applications you develop.
if you are registered iPhone developer, u can create Ad Hoc distribution via defining device ids that you want the app to be used (steps are listed at 'Program Portal User Guide' at apple's developer site). then u can install the app on your device via iTunes.
Well, you can't install just based on the device number or something else.
There are two solutions:
1/But what you can do without plugging the phone is to Post your App on some testing platform like TestFlight, or Answers. And you enter users' email address and they can get the email.
2/You can set up a config file that declare your OS X Server address. And add the iPhone into your Server Open Directory. Then you can send and deploy the app to iPhone devices.
If you have future questions, comment.