IPA Files Creation for BrowserStack

iOS is the second most popular mobile operating system. For businesses to succeed in the digital marketplace, having an iOS app that meets end-user requirements is mandatory. This requires the creation, release and testing of iOS apps that are well optimised for all iOS versions in use. In order to test their app on BrowserStack, developers need to upload .ipa files(for iOS) on BrowserStack cloud.

You may also use .ipa files produced by applications other than Xcode. Please follow the below given procedure while creating .ipa files so that your testing experience is smooth and unwanted errors are minimal.

Build IPA files for Real Devices

Constructing a .app bundle

1. In Xcode, launch your app project.

2. Choose a iOS Device (arm64) or any Generic iOS Device as the device target for your project.

3. Choose Clean from the Product menu.

4. Go to the Product menu and choose Build.

5. Redirect to the generated .app file after going to the Products directory of your Xcode project.

Making a .ipa package out of an .app bundle

1. Create an empty directory called Payload.

2. The .app file should be moved into the Payload directory.

3. Create a new file with the extension “.ipa” and give it a new name after compressing the Payload directory.

4. You can now upload your .ipa file to BrowserStack.

Generating .ipa file without .app file

For iOS , you can use any of the currently available distribution techniques, except App Store kind. This indicates that you have a choice between the Ad Hoc, Enterprise, or Development export methods.

1. Launch your app project in Xcode.

2. Choose Generic iOS Device or Any iOS Device (arm64) as the device target for your project.

3. Go to the Product menu and choose Clean.

4. Choose Archive from the Product menu. You’ll see your app listed in Archives once the archiving procedure is finished.

5. Choose your application, then click Export.

6. Select Ad Hoc, Enterprise, or Development as the export method when prompted.

7. These Distribution options should be set:
   • App Thinning: None.
   • Clear the selection Rebuild from Bitcode.
   • Strip Swift symbols is optional.
   • Clear the selection Include manifest for over-the-air installation.

8. Choose your provisioning profile (Automatic or Manual) and distribution certificate. The .ipa file will be created as a result.

9. Click Export after the file generating process is finished, then select a location to save the .ipa file.

10. You can now upload your .ipa file to BrowserStack.

Building .ipa Files for Appium Test Sessions

If you need to preserve your provisioning profile in the .ipa file, deactivate the App Resigning option while initialising the device setting for your app in the cloud.

App resigning can also be turned off using the Appium capability resigningEnabled=false. This option can only be used by private devices.

Need some help?

If you have any queries, please get in touch with us.