How do I submit an iOS app WITHOUT Xcode?

Question

I am a contract developer. I have written an app (yes, using Xcode!) for a client and now we are ready to ship. I would like to send him a copy of his app which he can sig

Answer 1

There are 2 options: either through Xcode it self using archiving or else making the build and submitting it using application loader. But both involve Xcode and a developer account. So I don`t think that there is any chance of you doing it without using Xcode.

Answer 2

Nowadays, Application Loader is deprecated in favor of Apple's Transporter.

1. Package your App as an .ipa:

   xcodebuild -target "${PROJECT_NAME}" -sdk "${TARGET_SDK}" -configuration Release
   /usr/bin/xcrun -sdk iphoneos PackageApplication -v "${RELEASE_BUILDDIR}/${APPLICATION_NAME}.app" -o "${BUILD_HISTORY_DIR}/${APPLICATION_NAME}.ipa" --sign "${DEVELOPER_NAME}" --embed "${PROVISONING_PROFILE}”
   

2. Send the .ipa to client.

3. Use Apple's Transporter to upload the .ipa to App Store Connect without Xcode.

Answer 3

I have accepted chown's answer as the correct one since it is very detailed and led me to the eventual solution, but I wanted to add this bullet-list answer for any future viewers who might want to see things cheat-sheet style.

Building the binary

• Edit schemes.
• Set archive scheme to use RELEASE configuration.
• Make sure code-sign for RELEASE uses client's App-Store profile.
  • Get this the same way you did in Xcode 3.2, you need his profile, certificate and private key.
• Build ARCHIVE.
• SHARE archive.
  • DO NOT RE-SIGN!

Send binary to client

(Email or whatever.)

Client uses ApplicationLoader to upload.

Watch out for this Xcode/Newsstand problem

(Go up-vote that Q&A if you ran into the problem and it saved your bacon! :)

Answer 4

I'd send your client Application Loader (as long as they run OSX 10.6.8+). It's in /<path-to-xcode-folder>/Applications/Utilities. Send that .app over and they should be able to submit a binary with it. You'll still have to walk them through it, but Apple provides a PDF for that.

Answer 5

Build your App into an .app file with a "Release" schema:

 xcodebuild -target "${PROJECT_NAME}" -sdk "${TARGET_SDK}" -configuration Release

Package your App as an .ipa:

/usr/bin/xcrun -sdk iphoneos PackageApplication -v "${RELEASE_BUILDDIR}/${APPLICATION_NAME}.app" -o "${BUILD_HISTORY_DIR}/${APPLICATION_NAME}.ipa" --sign "${DEVELOPER_NAME}" --embed "${PROVISONING_PROFILE}”

Then, run Application Loader (Download/Install Application Loader 2.9 if necessary):

open -a /Developer/Applications/Utilities/Application\ Loader.app

• After it opens select "Next"

  

• Enter your iTunes Connect Apple ID and Password and select "Next"

  

• After your authenticated select "Next"

  

• Select your App and click "Next"

  

• Confirm App compatability

  

• "Choose" the binary file to upload

  

• Select and click "Next"

  

• Start the upload by clicking "Send"

  

• It will will take a few moments to authenticate through the iTunes Store

  

• Once complete, your app package has been uploaded to the iTunes Store. Click "Next"

  

• You are "Done"!

  

• Your App will show a Status of "Upload Received"

  

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Links:

Apple Doc - Using Application Loader

automating-over-the-air-deployment-for-iphone

How To Upload Your App To iTunes Connect Using Application Loader