How to generate an iOS IPA file with Ionic Framework?

Question

I\'ve successfully built the iOS app with the ionic build ios command. But now I want to use TestFlight and it asks me for an IPA file. It seems that file is no

Answer 1

Use npx ionic build ios --device to build the IPA for debugging and adhoc installations

Use npx ionic build ios --device --release to build for release.

You need to have a build.json file to specify your keys. Note the CLANG is to prevent compilation errors from the CocoaPods which they made into an error rather than a warning from before.

{
  "ios": {
    "debug": {
      "buildFlag": [
        "CLANG_WARN_QUOTED_INCLUDE_IN_FRAMEWORK_HEADER = YES"
      ],
      "developmentTeam": "XXXXXX",
      "automaticProvisioning": true,
      "packageType": "development"
    },
    "release": {
      "buildFlag": [
        "CLANG_WARN_QUOTED_INCLUDE_IN_FRAMEWORK_HEADER = YES"
      ],
      "codeSignIdentity": "Apple Development",
      "developmentTeam": "XXXXXX",
      "automaticProvisioning": true,
      "packageType": "app-store"
    }
  }
}

Before it will upload to AppStore/TestFlight you need to modify the platform/ios/exportOptions.plist file to include

destination
upload

Then deploy it to the AppStore as follows

xcodebuild -exportArchive -archivePath "platforms/ios/myApp.xcarchive" \
  -allowProvisioningUpdates \
  -exportOptionsPlist platforms/ios/exportOptions.plist \
  -exportPath platforms/ios/build/device