I have seen that few web sites , give an ipa and that ipa install to any iPhone device .. how it is possible Is there any way that my ipa could install to any iPhone device . without app store ?
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/iPhone/abPlayer_iPhone/abPlayer_ipa.zip
How it is possible? Any help ?
it is distributed publicly ?
You can use over the air distribution for your app by uploading it to a website and accessing it via a specially crafted URL, similar to itms://path/to/manifest.xml. An example manifest file can be found here.
Note though, that using this method without an enterprise distribution profile, you will still need to provision the devices that you expect to run the app on. You are limited to 100 devices on a normal developer account.
You can apply for an Enterprise account, if you need to distribute to more than 100 devices and you will not need to explicitly provision those devices. However, the terms of the Enterprise agreement state that it is to be used for in-house distribution only, not to the general public. If Apple find out that you are just using the enterprise distribution to get around the App Store, they will close the account. They may not even give you one in the first place, if you cannot prove that you will only use it for in-house distribution/testing.
Yes you can upload your ipa on testflightapp.com. they will provide you the link for download
For that you need to register with apple for Enterprise account, once you register, you can distribute the application without app store, with the distribution certificate.
Related
How can we distribute iOS build, which is built by using Enterprise Account? Is there any possible to distribute via testflight account? Any help much appreciate.
Thanks!
There's a couple of different ways to do this. Once you've got a .ipa file for the app, you can:
Distribute via iTunes, if your employees can sync their iOS devices with their laptops (Apple Docs)
By using the iOS Configuration utility, though this means you have to physically have the device (Apple docs)
Over-the-air (iOS 4+), using an app store. You can do this through TestFlight, but the license restrictions on the Enterprise agreement don't go well with this kind of deployment. You'll need to either create and secure your own app store (like I've done for my employer) or use a third party service. Have a Google around for some good ones. There's plenty of documentation on how to do the deployment here
Some MDM suppliers like MobileIron have app stores available. Some will even allow you to push apps onto enterprise devices (iOS 5+) without any need for human intervention.
Other options are via email or putting it on the web for download (suggest you would want a website with a login to access it).
In over-the-air distribution of an enterprise iPhone app, the iPhone securely downloads an XML manifest file containing a fully-qualified URL pointing to the .ipa file (the app itself) then downloads the app from there and installs it.
I am wondering whether there is a security flaw here. Assuming the iPhones are outside the firewall on the public Internet, and in the absence of a VPN, wouldn't the .ipa file have to be publicly-readable over HTTP, i.e. anyone could grab it and install using iTunes if they knew the URL?
The Apple reference is http://help.apple.com/iosdeployment-apps/#app43ad871e (enterprise developers only I think).
Probably I'm missing something and it's safe?
Thanks
Bill.
In order to use OTA iPhone app, the person who is attempting to download the app must install the proper certificate.
Enterprise Apps are limited to 1000 OTA installs, which Apple can track on their end.
For non enterprise developer accounts, you have a 100 device limit, which first have to get the device UDID up to the provisioning portal, before they can install the proper certificate to run the app.
So while you can free distribute the ipa (over HTTP or FTP or whatevs) they'll still need the proper valid certificate, and that is controlled.
Of course there are probably ways around this, but in general that's how Apple protects OTA installs.
If you are distributing the .ipa file for your Enterprise profile, that app can be installed on any device. You would see a subtle warning at the bottom of the provisioning page that says something like,
This profile can be installed on any application.
I've tested it, and it does indeed work.
Yes the .ipa is on the open internet.
You can password protect ( .htpasspw ) the page so anyone knowing the url needs to enter a user/password combo to enter the page and to download the ipa.
I have to write an application for a friend to use in his business - so it won't be on the App store. How do I go about deploying it and distributing this app?
Would he require a enterprize licence? And where/how would he download it to his device for testing purposes?
I've already asked this question, some interesting answers - see here:
Alternative solutions for in-house iPhone enterprise app distribution
EDIT: I realise there is more to your question than what is answered in mine.
Yes, the client will need to get an enterprise license (Apple recently removed the 500 employee limit). Once he has the license, he will need to add you as a developer under his license. This will allow you to develop and digitially sign the app on your machine.
As for testing, when you enroll in an iOS development program, you can then generate + download the appropriate certificiates to sign an app for hardware testing. You'll need to install what's called a "Provising Profile" onto the testing device, then when you're in xcode, change the deployment type from "iPhoneSimulator" to "Device" - this will then compile + deploy the app in it's current state to the device. You can also install this Provising Profile onto other devices then send them the compiled app (which is installed via iTunes).
There is more to be found out about this by going to the Apple Developer Portal but I thought I'd give a brief overview of what you were asking.
An enterprise license you need something like 9000 employees.
The only other way to do it would be to add all their devices to your provisioning portal and supply them with ad-hoc releases which they can drag and drop into itunes to add to their devices.
If your friend's business requires deploying to less than 50 to 100 total devices (the 50 includes 100% replacements/upgrades, the 100 includes zero), then they can apply for a regular iOS Developer Company enrollment (not Enterprise), and use Ad Hoc deployment, which does not require an store (just email/website plus iTunes).
Enterprise requires a D&B rating, usually something that only larger companies have.
There is another solution: an own app store:
http://rhomobile.com/products/rhogallery/
unfortunately only in combination with RhoHub.
Or:
http://www.appcentral.com/
More info:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/business/integration/mdm/
http://www.cio.com/article/638175/Emerging_Tech_Alternatives_to_Apple_App_Store_For_Enterprises?page=2&taxonomyId=3002
Lets say I have a client that wishes me to build a business app for the iphone. I would still need to enroll to the standard developer program so that the app can be installed on real devices and the only way for my client to install the app is through the app store? I cannot just distribute it to my client directly?
I'm just reading about how to start developing for iphone, so i'm a total noob. Any information is appreciated.
Thanks,
Yes you do need a developer license. No you can distribute it directly if you have each device setup on your account to do so. I am also pretty sure apple has a special license that makes it easier for handling enterprise applications you might want to send them an email to ask about it.
EDIT
Ok I found a link. It is more expensive the normal but this is definitely what you want for your company. It lets you do adhoc distribution across your company.
http://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/enterprise/
You need a developer certificate to put an app on any iOS device with a stock OS.
What kind of certificate and how many you need depends on the type and amount of distribution you require, and the size of your client's company.
You most likely will need to join the iOS developer program ($99/annum) yourself to install and test your apps as you develop them. In addition you can deploy Ad Hoc installations for up to 100 devices (including your own, your testers, your clients, plus, very importantly, including all repair replacements and upgrade devices).
Your client may not need any license if they only want a few copies and are willing to have you renew your Ad Hoc installs a few times per year.
If your client wishes to deploy an app in their own name outside their company or through the iTunes App store, then they need to apply to the iOS developer program themselves.
If your client is large enough to have a published Dunn & Bradstreet rating, and wishes to deploy only to their employees, then they can apply to the more expensive Enterprise iOS Developer program, and run their own internal app store.
I want to create an iphone app for personal use.
Can I just put it on my phone and use it or do I have to go through the iphone store process to get it on my phone?
Thanks.
As long as you have a valid developer certificate to sign the app and you have a development provisioning profile and your device is registered as a test device. For that you need to be registered as an iPhone Developer Program member.
In other words, you have to pay Apple $99 to be able to put your own app on your own phone.
Yes, you can run your own apps on your phone. You need a paid iPhone developer account though.
Purchase a developer account for $99 from Apple. Create a developer provisioning file and build to your device. The annoyance will be the provisioning file is good for a limited time, requiring you to update it periodically and rebuild.
To run an app on an un-jailbroken iDevice, it needs to be signed. Registered developers get personal signing keys (and also have to register the device) which lets them test their apps. They also can do ad-hoc distribution, meaning compiling and signing an app so that other people can use it without being registered. This is limited in the number of users who can use it though.
Enterprise developers can sign apps for internal distribution, sorta like unlimited ad-hoc, but that program is expensive and unnecessary for what most people do.
As pointed out by others here, you can sign up as a developer to temporarily install apps on your device for testing purposes, but you would constantly need to renew your phone's installed provisioning profile to keep using it over time.
The only way to permanently put your own application on an un-jailbroken phone is to publish it to the app-store and download it through iTunes. Of course, Apple would need to accept the app so you would need to face the same regulations as other apps sold via iTunes, and your app would be public to everyone.