If you want to distribute your iOS app to users, you need to sign and provision it with Apple's tools and certificates. Signing and provisioning are essential steps to ensure the security and integrity of your app and its data. In this article, we will explain what signing and provisioning are, how they work, and how you can use them for different distribution methods.
Signing and provisioning are processes that involve adding digital signatures and profiles to your app. A digital signature is a code that verifies the identity of the developer and the integrity of the app. A profile is a file that contains information about the app, its entitlements, and its devices. Signing and provisioning enable Apple to control and monitor the distribution of apps and prevent unauthorized or malicious apps from running on iOS devices.
Signing and provisioning is a way for your digital signature as a developer to be added to your app. It’s a way to say I made this app and it’s not some random person pretending to be me.
Additionally in my view, signing and provisioning facilitate seamless integration with Apple's App Store. These processes ensure that only legitimate and approved developers can distribute apps to iOS devices through the App Store, maintaining a secure and trustworthy app ecosystem. The profile, containing essential information about the app, helps Apple tailor the distribution to specific devices and user entitlements, enhancing the overall user experience and security measures. This meticulous control by Apple safeguards users and ensures the quality and authenticity of the apps available on iOS devices.
To sign your app, you need a developer account with Apple and a code signing certificate. A code signing certificate is a digital credential that identifies you as the developer and authorizes you to sign your app. You can request a code signing certificate from Apple's developer portal or use Xcode to create one automatically. Once you have a code signing certificate, you can use Xcode or the command-line tool codesign to sign your app. Signing your app adds a signature file to your app bundle that contains your certificate and a hash of your app's code.
You can sign your app a few different ways. You can set it up so it’s signed automatically in XCode, you can do it via a CLI (command line interface), or you can export your publish profile to be able to sign it on a ci/cd tool.
Moreover, signing your app provides assurance to users that the app comes from a trusted source, enhancing their confidence in its authenticity and security. It also enables seamless updates, as the new version can be signed with the same certificate, ensuring a smooth transition for users. The signature file, when verified by iOS devices, confirms the app's integrity, preventing unauthorized modifications and safeguarding user data. This dual benefit of trust and integrity is essential for a positive user experience and compliance with Apple's stringent security standards.
To provision your app, you need a provisioning profile. A provisioning profile is a file that links your app, your certificate, and your devices. It also specifies the entitlements and capabilities of your app, such as accessing iCloud, push notifications, or in-app purchases. You can create and download provisioning profiles from Apple's developer portal or use Xcode to manage them automatically. Once you have a provisioning profile, you can use Xcode or the command-line tool xcodebuild to embed it in your app. Embedding your provisioning profile adds a profile file to your app bundle that contains your profile information and a list of devices that can run your app.
Provisioning your app involves creating a file (provisioning profile) that connects your app, certificate, and devices. This file sets rules for your app's abilities (like accessing iCloud). You can make and download it on Apple's developer site or use Xcode. Adding this file to your app ensures it behaves as intended on specific devices, tailoring the experience for users and making sure your app works smoothly on different iOS devices.
Depending on your target audience and purpose, you can distribute your app in different ways. The most common methods are via the App Store, TestFlight, and Ad Hoc. Submitting your app to Apple for review and approval is necessary for the App Store, while TestFlight requires uploading it to App Store Connect and inviting testers. For Ad Hoc, you must register the device's UDIDs in your developer account and include them in your provisioning profile. Signing and provisioning are essential steps to prepare the iOS app for distribution, and following Apple's guidelines and tools can ensure the security and quality of your app. Ultimately, this allows you to reach your desired users.
Distributing your iOS app can be done through the App Store, TestFlight for testing, or Ad Hoc for specific users. App Store requires Apple's review, TestFlight needs testers' invitations, and Ad Hoc involves registering device IDs. There's also Enterprise Distribution for in-house use. Following these steps ensures your app reaches the right users securely and effectively.
My favorite distribution platform is Bitrise. You can use it to both build and distribute iOS apps easily. You still need a Mac to get a publish profile but after that you can automate your distribution to the AppStores through typical ci/cd processes. I believe before you have it go live you still need to manually approve it but when you are rapidly iterating on smaller release it’s nice!
I think people don’t always evaluate “do I really need a mobile app”? Today web apps can provide really great mobile experience if built mobile first. The distribution is much cheaper and easier than iOS with the added benefit of it being a website too! Not to mention you get to avoid all of the “fun” that goes along with apples App Store, owning a Mac, etc. So before you pitch a mobile app ask yourself do I need one?