iOS Question How to distribute compiled app

[Falcon]

Hi Guys,

I am a complete noob to B4i so please excuse my stupid questions as I am still learning.

In B4a when I compiled to release mode, I got an APK file. This I could then just give to my client to install on his device for testing.

Now in B4i, there is no 'Release' mode setting that I can see in the IDE, only debug.
So how do I create a release equivalent of the APK file I got in B4a so that I can give to my client for testing?

Thank you for your time, always appreciated.

Regards,
Jacques,

 

[naifnas]

for ios not have APK file
have other files and you need hosted builder or mac
cant install witout this
Installing an application without following the basic method will destroy your device
Apple is stricter in order to maintain customer privacy
mybe this

Installing B4i-Bridge and debugging first app

B4i-Bridge is an application that you install on the device. It has three purposes: 1. Launch the installation process when needed. This step is done with Apple Configurator 2 if using a local builder (https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/installing-apps-with-apple-configurator-2.128397/)...

www.b4x.com

and this

Creating a certificate and provisioning profile

Don't panic! Edit: The IDE must be configured with javac from OpenJDK 14: https://www.b4x.com/b4j/files/java/jdk-14.0.1.zip Otherwise the key created will be invalid and you will later encounter this error: MAC verification failed during PKCS12 import (wrong password?) While this process can...

www.b4x.com

 

[mcqueccu]

You should have your Store Provision Profile ready.

You can find release in B4i under Tools -> Build Server -> Build Release App
Then when its done, you will go back to Tools -> Build Server -> Download last build

You should have an archive (ipa) file in your Objects folder of your project.

NOTE: Its not easy like in android to share your ipa file in iOS. You can use TestFlight or check this OTA Deployer (Needs the UDID of your testers)

[tool] OTA Deployer - Easily distribute your app to beta testers

This is a tool for developers who use the hosted builder. With this tool your beta testers can install your app over the air by clicking on a link. In order to distribute your app you need to follow these steps: 1. Add the beta tester device UDID to the provision file and download the updated...

www.b4x.com

 

[Falcon]

Thank you naifnas, I have done those steps already that you suggested.

Mcqueccu I will do what you suggested, and revert back if I hit any issues.
I really appreciate the help guys, thanks a lot.

Regards,
Jacques.

 

[Falcon]

OK so I did the 'Build Release App' and it seemed to work, but I get the message:
'Application compiled with non-store provision profile'.

What does that mean? Is it something I did wrong?

Regards,
Jacques,

 

[naifnas]

Application compiled with non-store provision profile
for test this normal

 

[Falcon]

I also clicked 'Download last build', it said Downloading, but I have no ipa file in my 'Objects' folder. S

ee attached image.

 

[mcqueccu]

OK so I did the 'Build Release App' and it seemed to work, but I get the message:
'Application compiled with non-store provision profile'.

What does that mean? Is it something I did wrong?

Regards,
Jacques,

If you see first line in post #3, I specified you have to create store provision. It can be done in your apple developer page. Follow Tutorial here

Publishing your app to the App Store

This tutorial explains the steps required to create a store ready ipa file. 1. The first step is to uninstall your app from the device and install it again in Release mode (Tools - Build Server - Build Release App). This is an important test. Similar to the test Apple will run. Make sure to...

www.b4x.com

 

[Falcon]

Thank you so much for the help so far guys.
Again, thank you for your patience with my 'noob' questions. I just rather be safe than mess something up with my Apple Developer account.

Just a question for mcqueccu (or any other expert), currently in my Apple Developer account, I have the following:

Under 'Certificates' - I have one Certificate of type 'iOS Distribution' & Platform 'iOS'.
Under 'Devices' I have one device setup (The ipad I used to develop on), with it's UDID.
Under 'Profiles' I have one Profile, Platform is iOS and type is 'Ad hoc'.

My questions are as follows:

1. If I want to give the app to my client for testing, must I just add his UDID of his device under 'Devices' section?
2. Must I add anything else to my Developer account to give to my client and/or publish the app on the Apple Store?

Regards,
Jacques,

 

[mcqueccu]

1. Yes, get his UDID and Add to your Devices, then redownload New Profiles, Add to your keys folder (then you can use the OTA Deployer or Testflight).

2. No, to publish on the appstore, create a STORE PROVISION PROFILE, and compile your application with it

 

[Falcon]

Thank you very much for the great help mcqueccu , you are a life saver!
So I did what you said and added my client's UDID to devices, I also created a Store Provision Profile of type 'App Store'.

I now compile, and I get 'Application compiled with store provision profile' so I guess it is working
I also got a 'Archive.zip' file in my 'Objects' folder of my project which contained an IPA file.

Just one thing I had to do though, was in my keys folder, I had to move my Development profile to a temporary folder and replace it with the new store profile, otherwise it gave me an error that there were too many Profiles. I assume this is the correct thing to do? Can you please verify that?

Thank you again!

 

[mcqueccu]

You can name the profiles differently so that they can all be in the same folder. Read about managing multiple Certificates and provisions here.

Example

b4x.mobileprovision <-------store provision
b4xAdhoc.mobileprovision <-------Adhoc provision

Then put the code below in your Main Module to select the profile base on your compilation command.

#If RELEASE
   #ProvisionFile: b4x.mobileprovision  
#Else
  #ProvisionFile: b4xAdhoc.mobileprovision
#END IF

 

[Falcon]

Ah! Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you very much sir you are a legend! This rookie has now learned a great deal!