Hey folks,
I work as a software development consultant. We develop enterprise applications for our clients, and the apps we create are usually for internal use. We've ran into a bit of a conundrum with a client who doesn't have their own Apple Enterprise account, and neither do we as we don't meet the criteria, but they're wanting to distribute an application we've built for them via their own MDM software. We are not entirely sure how to provide them with a distribution ready .ipa file that isn't AdHoc and will be recognized as a secure app. We've looked into generating a Developer ID provisioning profile and accompanying cert, however we're running into a problem where the platform of our app (iOS) doesn't match the platform required by the Developer ID profile (macOS).
I've also come across the idea of resigning an .ipa, but again, the client doesn't have a Apple Developer account and expects the working .ipa to be included in the service rendered.
Any suggestions or advice or documentation around the subject would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Ale
The specific thing you’re looking for — distributing iOS apps to arbitrary devices not through an Enterprise team — is not possible. As you’ve noted:
- Developer ID is a Mac thing.
- Ad Hoc distribution is limited to a specific set of devices.
One alternative path is to put the app on the App Store but limit who can buy it. See the discussion of custom apps on Distributing Apps on Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager
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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
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