Install .ipa to iPad with or without iTunes

Question

I have the .ipa from PhoneGap build and I need to test it. I got provisioning profile from Developer account.

So my question is: can I directly put my .ipa to iPad to install for testing, or do I have to follow some rules to install?

Answer 1

The easiest option I've seen is appsend.dev - free, modern and clean alternative to diawi

Answer 2

It's easy 1- Visit to appforshare.io or diawi 2- Drag and drop the .ipa or .apk file 3- You will an installable link shortly, just give that link to clients or anyone to install

Although diawi limits you in terms of build size or link expiry and appforshare.io doesn't.

PS: Be sure that UDID of iPhone or iPad is added to that provisioning profile by which you have signed your .ipa

Answer 3

If your using the latest version of Itunes and there is no APP section Click on summary while the device is connected to you PC . Then Drag and drop the file onto the "on my device" section.

-see picture for illustration

Answer 4

In the latest version of iOS share ipa through AirDroap from mac to iPhone. it will directly install in your iPhone.

Answer 5

You can add an IPA as new app from Apple Configurator 2.

Answer 6

You can also use HockeyApp to distribute your .ipa, it will send a link to the app to the testers, then the tester will be ableto install the ipa directly from their browser on the device once clicking on the link.

Answer 7

You can install your iOS app without iTunes, App store, or third party sites.

When you build the archive in xcode you can select for adhoc distribution. xcode will bring you through a dialogue where you enter the URL location where your app will be along with the urls for a 57x57 pixel png and a 512x512 pixel png. It will create a bundle with your ipa and manifest.plist

Upload your ipa and the two png files whereever you plan to host them. It has to have an SSL certificate and be served over https. You may want to upload your manifest.plist there as well, but technically I'm pretty sure you can have it somewhere else.

Next, somewhere, in a text, or a webpage or email, or whereever share your link as:

<a href="itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=https://URL/path/manifest.plist">Download anchor text</a>

For a longer, better, more detailed answer click here.

As I understand, if this is a dev app, only devices that have been added to your device profile in the app store will be able to install the app.

Answer 8

All of the other answers are either out of date or too much work where it doesn't need to be. Upload your .IPA file to diawi.com then either scan the QR-Code and install, or email the link to the device you want to install the app to, or type the shortened URL into your Safari browser and install that way.

I needed to get an app installed into an older iOS device today and this method took me less than 2 minutes to complete start to finish.

 https://www.diawi.com/

Answer 9

I try to face with these problems and I use : https://www.installonair.com . It's free and not have limit like diawi.

1. You need to add device UDID to apple developer account devices part.
2. Build your project and archieve it ad hoc with your certificate
3. Open that link and upload your ad hoc ipa file to website
4. Get qr code and link to download.

Answer 10

iPhone doesn't allow to install an ipa directly, so provide a direct link to the ipa file is useless. That's why some people uses external services that provide a link or a qcode to install the ipa.

Another option, that nobody told in the other answers to this question and that it's completely independent from iTunes or any external service, is to create your own script that generates an installation link and automatically sends it to your mobile (for example by email). I created a such script for my personal use, that:

1. creates the html file;
2. creates the plist file;
3. copies ipa, html and plist files to my server;
4. sends me the link.

Because I work on Linux, I created a Bash script. You can use any other scripting language, but it's important to know what to put in the html and plist files.

This is the part of my script that generates the html and plist content. I hope that it's enough self-explanatory:

sha=`sha1sum ${ipa} | awk '{ print $1 }'`
output=${sha}-${AppName}-${version}.ipa
html=${sha}-${AppName}-${version}.html
plist=${sha}-${AppName}-${version}.plist

# Generates html
echo "<!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
 <head>
 <meta charset=\"UTF-8\">
 <meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge,chrome=1\">
    <meta name=\"MobileOptimized\" content=\"width\" />
    <meta name=\"HandheldFriendly\" content=\"true\" />
    <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\" />
    <meta http-equiv=\"cleartype\" content=\"on\" />
 <title>Install ${AppName} ${version}</title>
 </head>

 <body>
   <h1><a href=\"itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=${serverUrl}${plist}\">
     Install </a></h1>
 </body>

 </html>" > ${html}

# Generate plist
echo "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC \"-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN\" \"http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd\">
<plist version=\"1.0\">
<dict>
    <key>items</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>assets</key>
            <array>
                <dict>
                    <key>kind</key>
                    <string>software-package</string>
                    <key>url</key>
                    <string>${serverUrl}${output}</string>
                </dict>
                <dict>
                    <key>kind</key>
                    <string>full-size-image</string>
                    <key>needs-shine</key>
                    <true/>
                    <key>url</key>
                    <string>${serverUrl}Icon%402x.png</string>
                </dict>
                <dict>
                    <key>kind</key>
                    <string>display-image</string>
                    <key>needs-shine</key>
                    <true/>
                    <key>url</key>
                    <string>${serverUrl}Icon.png</string>
                </dict>
            </array>
            <key>metadata</key>
            <dict>
                <key>bundle-identifier</key>
                <string>${bundle}</string>
                <key>bundle-version</key>
                <string>${version}</string>
                <key>kind</key>
                <string>software</string>
                <key>title</key>
                <string>${AppName}</string>
            </dict>
        </dict>
    </array>
</dict>
</plist>" > ${plist}

For a simple example you can also see: https://github.com/Saleh7/ipa-install

Answer 11

If you are working on a Mac, you can use Apple Configurator 2 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator-2/id1037126344?mt=12).

This application is used to configure and install apps in any iOS device.

Apple Configurator 2 makes it easy to deploy iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV devices in your school or business.

Answer 12

There are four ways, all of which I tested:

• Test flight

• Install from iTunes - Create .ipa as ad-hoc and normal sync with ipad & itunes.

• Or best way you can create a URL for install while creating ipa select as enterprise and create index file with plist. This will work with individual developer account too.

• Diawi

Answer 13

Quite old, but inspired on A-Sharabiani achieved this avoiding iTunes with AppCenter. Just create new App, creat new Release uploading the .ipa, and finally scanning a QR with your device that redirects to download.

Yeah.

Answer 14

Since Apple released iTunes 12, you must use Apple Configurator 2 app to install ipa in your iPhone and iPad.

Download from this link: https://itunes.apple.com/br/app/apple-configurator-2/id1037126344?mt=12

Answer 15

You can install IPA using Xcode

• Open Xcode
• Select Window in Top Menu Bar & Select Devices & Simulators
• Drag and Drop your IPA in the Apps Section

This will install application on your device.

Answer 16

• Goto http://buildtry.com

• Upload .ipa (iOS) or .apk (Android) file

• Copy and Share the link with testers

• Open the link in iOS or Android device browser and click Install

Answer 17

You can go to the browser in Iphone/Ipad and type the URl where the IPA has been uploaded and can directly download it to your Iphone or Ipad and install and run it.... simple and sweet ;)

Answer 18

No need to bother with iTunesConnect for sharing your adhoc builds. Just upload your ipa file to diawi and after successful uploading you will get a link open the link in safari and you will be asked to install app. Tap on install and enjoy

Answer 19

In Xcode 8, with iPhone plugged in, open Window -> Devices. In the left navigation, select the iPhone plugged in. Click on the + symbol under Installed Apps. Navigate to the ipa you want installed. Select and click open to install app.

Answer 20

You can also checkout ios-deploy.

It is as simple as running ios-deploy -b path/to/ipa/file.

It even works with path/to/project.app, which should be in the same location if you are doing cordova/phonegap builds locally.

Cheers!

Answer 21

You can create the ipa for ad hoc distribution and use diawi to create a link for the your ipad. You just upload the .ipa and the provisioning profile, then a link is generated and you can visit it from your ipad in order to install the app (if the provisioning profile is for development you have to add your ipad's UDID to it).

Answer 22

There were 3 ways to do this:

Method 1: Using iTunes. Yes, you can install .ipa in iPad, first you have to import that .ipa to your iTunes. Connect your iPad to iTunes then install application just by click on Install and then Sync.

Method 2: iFunbox

Method 3: Diawi

Answer 23

Use iFunBox. It's free, Mac/Win compatible. Just make an ad hoc build and save somewhere. Install from iFunBox. I load all my test ad hoc release builds on my devices for testing before release using this method. Who has time to fiddle around with iTunes?

Answer 24

In Xcode 5 open the organizer (Window > Organizer) and select "Devices" at the top. Your plugged in device should show up on the left hand side. Drag the IPA file over to that device.

In Xcode 6 and Xcode 7 open Devices (Window > Devices). Again your device should show up in the left hand column. Drag the IPA file to the list of apps underneath "Installed Apps".

For iOS 9 devices, refer to this post on how to get the app running after doing this.

Answer 25

How about iPhone Configuration Utility?

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1465?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

iPhone Configuration Utility lets you easily create, maintain, encrypt, and install configuration profiles, track and install provisioning profiles and authorized applications, and capture device information including console logs.

Update:

Apple Configurator replaces iPhone Configuration Utility. With the the release of iOS 8, iPhone Configuration Utility is no longer supported or available for download. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/apple-configurator/id434433123

Answer 26

If you built the IPA using PhoneGap Build online you can download and install the IPA directly on your Ipad/Iphone by opening build.phonegap.com in Safari on the device, logging in and then clicking the iOS tab (the download ipa button). You will then be asked to install the app you built.

Direct link to this after logging in is: https://build.phonegap.com/apps/YOUR-BUILD-NUMBER/download/ios

Answer 27

Yes, you can install IPA in iPad, first you have to import that IPA to your itunes. Connect your iPad to iTunes then install application just by click on install and then sync.