Support building .ipa files for iOS

Solar2D Daily Builds and Public Releases
#1

It is easier for distributing apps during beta testing, as well as for over-the-air installation of enterprise applications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.ipa_(file_extension)

  • see installing apps wirelessly section.

http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#featuredarticles/FA_Wireless_Enterprise_App_Distribution/Introduction/Introduction.html

[import]uid: 67589 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 314581[/import]

#2

Here is the quick way to do it manually.

Build your app (Foo.app)

Create a folder named “Payload”

Put the app file in that folder

Right click and compress “Payload” folder

Rename the generated Payload.zip to Foo.ipa

Done!

It would be great if Corona could do this for us, but the above method works fine for me. [import]uid: 5317 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 54128[/import]

#3

Right!, The manual way works, which is what I use, but its a pain, to do each time, hence the recommendation. [import]uid: 67589 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 54235[/import]

#4

Once I follow those steps and create the ipa how would the tester install this-could they do it without iTunes (directly form the device)? I have been trying to figure this out for a long time and I don’t want to use a service like test flight right now. Thanks for any help you can give me. [import]uid: 39370 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88771[/import]

#5

They have to have the mobile provisioning file and the ipa installed on their phone. [import]uid: 10389 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88774[/import]

#6

Thanks for the quick response. So they need to use iTunes-why use the IPA then instead of the normal .app file? [import]uid: 39370 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88776[/import]

#7

This can probably be done via an automator action. (ie to copy the app into a “Payload” folder then compress the folder and change extension to .ipa)

I will take a look into it today [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88825[/import]

#8

Thanks Danny I would really appreciate it! I have been seraching the forums and find bits of info but not a clear explanation of how to do this. [import]uid: 39370 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88870[/import]

#9

Your wish is my command.

http://www.infuseddreams.com/corona/App_To_IPA.zip

Usage :

Double click the app to ipa app to launch it. It pops up a file open dialog.

Choose your .app file.

Press ok.

Wait a few seconds (time may vary depending on app size, i dont know)

Then your sparkling new .ipa file will appear on your desktop (it uses the same filename as the app passed to it)

Enjoy [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88877[/import]

#10

Thanks! I will give it a try. If I want the tester to be able to get the app directly form their device and not use itunes do I need some sort of plist file and my provisioning file-thats what I am reading on other websites when researching Over The Air ad hoc distribution? I have my provisioning file but am not clear on the plist file they are using. Here is an example:

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1829415&seqNum=16

I guess I could just make my own based on the example form the website. [import]uid: 39370 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88881[/import]

#11

Use Testflight for over-the-air installs. Pretty much everyone uses it these days. Super simple and free to use :slight_smile: [import]uid: 51654 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88882[/import]

#12

Thank you, Danny! The App To IPA works great. No more manual process. Woohoo!

Naomi [import]uid: 67217 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88899[/import]

#13

No problem, glad to help.

I thought i set an icon for it but i guess it didn’t work.

Will upload a version with a easy to recognize icon later :slight_smile: [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 88903[/import]

#14

Just uploaded a new version of the ipa creator.

http://www.infuseddreams.com/corona/App_To_IPA.zip

Changes :

  1. Added app icon (preview of it below) .
  2. Changed open dialog text to be relevant to the task.

Enjoy it
[import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 89065[/import]

#15

Great Danny!
Thanks! [import]uid: 21055 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 89626[/import]

#16

Can we email the .ipa file to our testers and have them install it on their iTunes. [import]uid: 6288 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 89630[/import]

#17

@mobilefun4me : of course :slight_smile: [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 89632[/import]

#18

This is another app2ipa utility I’ve made

Usage is simple:

  1. Unzip the app2ipa.zip and copy it to your desktop?
  2. Drag a compiled Corona app over the app2ipa icon

That´s it! Your .ipa will show up on your desktop

Download link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/507021/app2ipa.zip [import]uid: 10141 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 99507[/import]

#19

Nice work Taruga :slight_smile: [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 99510[/import]

#20

Thanks Danny, I was using your app but I have a problem… I’m too lazy to browse and look for the file to convert, that’s why I did this :slight_smile: [import]uid: 10141 topic_id: 14581 reply_id: 99512[/import]