Testing App Using Local Devices and MacInCloud

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Hi,

I just began the process of trying to get the app I created onto my personal iPhone. I decided to use macincloud for the necessary Xcode since I don’t have a mac laptop. I also purchased my apple Developer account and have successfully created a certificate, registered my iPhone, and created my App ID. From what I understand, I now have to create a Provisioning Profile on the “Development” track and then build the app using Corona onto my iPhone. This is where I’m foreseeing a problem.

When I plug in my iPhone to my laptop, the macincloud “computer” I’m using doesn’t show that a device is plugged in since that “computer” is based somewhere in New York. In order to get my app onto my iPhone, the steps shown in the Corona guides say I need to have my iPhone listed on the computer which has Xcode.

I’m having a hard time figuring out how I’m supposed to get around this. I’ve heard that macincloud has a feature where they can also connect your usb port to the virtual mac “computer”, but that’s over $150, and I don’t want to pay that amount just for a usb connection. I also would rather not mess with Test Flight. Please, if anyone knows how to use the Xcode from macincloud and build and transfer an app to a local iPhone, please let me know!!!

Thanks a lot!

#2

I got it to work. I found that Testflight was the cheapest and easiest way to get my app onto my device for testing. Hope this helps anyone else who has this problem.

#3

What did you do exactly? I have the same problem.

#4

MacInCloud is only needed because it allows you to use XCode. XCode is the only way to upload your apps to your Apple Developer account.

To upload your app to your Apple Developer account, simulate your app in Corona in your MacInCloud environment. Go to file->build->iOS and it should then start the process of sending your app to your account. Make sure you have all necessary certificates and obviously have an Apple Developer account. Follow any instructions it gives you. It usually takes less than 20 minutes for your app to be uploaded to your account.

 Once your app is successfully uploaded to your Apple Developer account, answer the question about ATS (usually NO), and then your app should be cleared for Test Flight. From there, simply download your app through the “Test Flight” app (available on the App Store) to your device for testing.

In case you don’t know, Test Flight allows you to install your app onto a device just as if it were downloaded from the app store. Your beta app can only be downloaded by Apple accounts that are given permission to download it (This automatically includes the account that owns the app). Once downloaded through Test Flight, you can test if your app works correctly, even test in-app purchases.

If/when you need to make an edit to your app and would like to test it on your device, you will need to submit a new version of your app to your Apple Developer account and download the new version through Test Flight.

Hopefully that answers your question.

#5

Great response!

#6

I got it to work. I found that Testflight was the cheapest and easiest way to get my app onto my device for testing. Hope this helps anyone else who has this problem.

#7

What did you do exactly? I have the same problem.

#8

MacInCloud is only needed because it allows you to use XCode. XCode is the only way to upload your apps to your Apple Developer account.

To upload your app to your Apple Developer account, simulate your app in Corona in your MacInCloud environment. Go to file->build->iOS and it should then start the process of sending your app to your account. Make sure you have all necessary certificates and obviously have an Apple Developer account. Follow any instructions it gives you. It usually takes less than 20 minutes for your app to be uploaded to your account.

 Once your app is successfully uploaded to your Apple Developer account, answer the question about ATS (usually NO), and then your app should be cleared for Test Flight. From there, simply download your app through the “Test Flight” app (available on the App Store) to your device for testing.

In case you don’t know, Test Flight allows you to install your app onto a device just as if it were downloaded from the app store. Your beta app can only be downloaded by Apple accounts that are given permission to download it (This automatically includes the account that owns the app). Once downloaded through Test Flight, you can test if your app works correctly, even test in-app purchases.

If/when you need to make an edit to your app and would like to test it on your device, you will need to submit a new version of your app to your Apple Developer account and download the new version through Test Flight.

Hopefully that answers your question.

#9

Great response!