Xcode App Distribution to Friends - xcode

Yesterday I saw a Website of a Company which has a test version of their iPhone App downloadable for everybody from their website.
Since I am an Apple Developer, I know that you need the UDID of the target device to declare it as a test device, because you have to code sign it to the device.
When I have downloaded the file, it was a normal App file from Xcode. I dragged it to iTunes and from there to my Device, and what do you suppose happened?
Yes; it worked on my Device!! ;-)
I have not jail-broken my device and the app Works on any device I have tried it on without add the devices to any Developer Account...
Does anybody know how to do this???
How can I distribute an app to any device by email or web download without adding test device UDIDs to my account to work on any phone???
Thanks.

The company could either have distributed it as a source code (which can be run by anyone with a developer's account) or by a link to the app store
You can either do one of two things to distribute an app Adhoc:
1 . As a normal App developer you add devices UDIDs separately to the developer portal.
or
2 . Create a company Adhoc developer's account (which costs extra money and DOESN'T allow you to post to the app store (but that also requires UDIDs))
Alternatively you can post it on the app store and distribute it via that method.
Due to code signing only jailbroken devices may run unsigned apps (or apps not signed for them)

I'd love to know how they do that. I do the next best thing: I use testflightapp.com to distribute my apps. It does require UDIDs but easily collects them, and deployment to those users is one touch after building/uploading. There is also a feedback API that I find quite handy.

Related

What defines an unknown source in Android Auto

Currently,
My team and I are developping an Android Auto enabled app. And it appears to me this app is only available in my car unit, when I enable unknown sources in the Android Auto app.
However I'm wondering what defines an unknown source and how do I make sure my app is not an unknown source. Does Android Auto communicate with the Google Play Services for this or do i need to sign the APK with specific data?
How are you deploying your app? If you are deploying with Android Studio: as I recall you won't see it on your real automotive head unit, just the emulator. To show on the head unit it needs to be deployed in the Play Store, at least in developer and pre-release mode while under development.
First of all: Android Auto runs on your own device, meaning it adapts the same permissions you granted to particular apps. If your app doesn't have an app in the normal UI or you didn't open it on your phone once, then it would usually prompt you to grant permissions the first time you open it.
An unknown source is pretty much any way of getting your app outside of the Google Play Store (and OEM-specific app stores like Samsung App Store for Samsung devices etc.).
That is especially common if you e.g. download an .apk from the internet and want to install it, but your phone thinks their own file manager is an unknown source (because it is not intended to download apps).

Generate .ipa file without Apple developer account

I'm trying to compile my ionic 3 app to ipa. I use MacInCloud.com. I don't have any Apple Developer account; I just have an AppleID and an iPhone 7 (if that helps).
Now while using XCode in MacInCloud, I clicked Product > Archive but then it displays Build Error. Turns out I need an iOS Provisioning Profile. As of now, I couldn't find a way to generate an iOS Provisioning Profile without having a paid Apple Developer account. I read here, the answer mentions A free developer account will allow you to build an app that will run for 7 days on a pre-defined set of devices (you would need to register any devices on which you want the code to run). but I couldn't find where to do this.
So can I actually generate an ipa file without a paid ios developer account? If no, is it possible for me to have someone generate a provisioning profile using their ios developer account for me?
Thanks
Update:
The methods described in the link in the comments requires me to connect my device. But I'm using MacInCloud.com, so there's no way for me to get Xcode to connect to my device.. at least I don't know how.

Is it possible to distribute an OSX app ad-hoc without UUID but with entitlements

I'm having some serious trouble signing an application for ad-hoc distribution. Is it possible to distribute an app with the following requirements?:
Does not require tester to provide UUID up front
Outside app store
Utilizes entitlements such as VPN or Keychain Sharing
I ask because exporting without signing (Organizer (select archive) > Export > Export as Mac Application) fails with "embedded provisioning profile not valid: ..." on some devices. It appears to work on others though.
Thank you!
If you're trying to use the NetworkExtension framework (which I'm assuming because you tagged your question with nevpnmanager,) unfortunately that's only available in App Store apps.
I know this because I asked Apple. I was trying to make a non App Store NEVPN app, but no dice. Quinn from Developer Tech Support told me the NEVPN stuff is only available for App Store apps, and that I should file a bug report (which I think I did.)

XCode / iOS : how to test with XCode (on a real device) an app developed by another developer?

I work with another developer. I would like to test its app but I don't have its iTunes Connect login / password and I don't have its dev certificates.
How can I test on my real device the bundle he sent to me without having many signing errors ?
I want to perform the test in Xcode in order to be able to use the debugger and perform some code modifications. I do not need to test the inapp purchase, just the core features of the app.
It is possible to resign the app with your own certificates. See this answer
You can also use XCode7 Beta, it allows you to install any apps they develop on their devices without an Apple Developer Program Certificate.

iPad adHoc app limitation

My client wants to use AdHoc iPad app. (don't want to go through app submission)
I want to know there's any limitation if i use AdHoc app.
Do i need to reinstall the app to every devices every 3 months? (the profile will be expired every three months)
I want to use ASIHTTPRequest to retrieve update datas from web server. Can I do that on AdHoc app and etc
Thanks for the help.
There is a limit of 100 devices. More info at: http://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/distribute.html
Ad Hoc Distribution
"With Ad Hoc distribution you can share your application with up to 100 other iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch users. Through email or by posting it to a website or server, users can download and install your app."
Yes, re-installation will be required.
Yes, data can be fetched from the server.
You can look into iOS Developer Enterprise Program
"Distribute your proprietary, in-house iOS apps to employees or members of your organization. You can also securely host and wirelessly distribute or update in-house apps to employees, keeping them current anywhere, anytime."
Make sure to read "Terms & Conditions" closely as Apple may allow enterprise apps for employees only.

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