Building App For Enterprise Distribution Through MDM Using iTunes No Longer Works

Question

Created Sep ’17

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Hi All:

I used to build my client's enterprise app for MDM distribution through the following process that the client liked because he is not able to give me developer access to the company enterprise developer account.

1. I would build the target for "Generic iOS Device" using clients Enterprise Certificate and Distribution Profile.

2. I would click "Show in Finder" on the .app file produced and drag the .app file into iTunes

3. iTunes would process the .app into a .ipa which I could then select the app icon in iTunes, "Show in Finder" and copy to give to the client for distribution through his MDM system.

The new iTunes 12.7 does not show apps so this method does not seem possible any more. Is there another way to convert the .app to a .ipa file?

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Answer 1

dromard2017 OP

Sep ’17

Yes, this puts a real crimp in the ability to distribute apps locally or remotely for development/testing needs. Now it appears that deployment will only work if you build directly onto the iOS device you want it on. This will require a Mac with XCode, plus a Dev Account, etc. Not the typical setup for a Product Manager wanting to review the latest changes to the application.

Does anyone have a workaround?

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Answer 2

guywithmazda OP

Sep ’17

Can you do the same thing using Xcode's Product > Archive menu? I do it this way, but I am only building for our own use, not a customer, so not sure if it works in your situation. I end up with an ipa file that I put on our internal server.

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Answer 3

Scramble OP

Sep ’17

You can not complete the archive for enterprise deployment without an Apple ID that is set up as a member of the Enterprise Account Development Team.

To make the .ipa without team membership you need to:

1. Build with the Enterprise Certificate and Distribution Profile to create the .app file

2. Create a new folder called "Payload"

3. Put the .app file into the "Payload" folder

4. Compress the "Payload" folder to create "Payload.zip"

5. Rename "Payload.zip" to [App Name].ipa

You can then distribute the .ipa

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Answer 4

dmakcpc OP

Oct ’17

Apple quietly released iTunes 12.6.3 to re-introduce app management.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079

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