How to deploy from Phonegap Build for testing to any IOS device

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Hi-

I am developing an application for employees of a company to use, and want to deploy it for testing to a limited set of the client's community. It's a priovate app in that no-one outside the companywould have an interest in using it.

I don't want to have to send me their device IDs for this test deployment, and more importantly, the client doens't want that hassle either.

How can I use Phonegap Build to deploy in this fashion? Ideally, I just need to provide them with an ipa file whcih they can then distribute and install (I expect they'll have to trust the app signer etc).

Thanks

Doug
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Doug Tait

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Posted 4 years ago

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Petra V., Champion

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Exactly that is what Apples wants to prevent from happening.
You can't do that. They'll have to give you their device IDs, so you can create a proper mobileprovision file.

Alternatively, they could switch to Android devices, so you can hand them an unsigned apk file.
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Doug Tait

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Hi Petra, thanks so much for the prompt reply!

I was really hoping you wouldn't say something like that, haha - but the info is very useful.

Forgive me if I have this wrong, as I'm on a very steep learning curve: I have read about apple developer 'enterprise' account ($399 per year, so I haven't experimented with it) which can deploy ad-hoc to "in-house" without first needing the device IDs.
I guess that would be reflected in the provisioning profile, although I'm not yet sure what "in-house" means.

Is it that Phongeap Build doesn't work with such apple developer accounts, or is it that I have this wrong and regardless of whether using Phonegap or not, to deploy by distributing an ipa file directly to the client, the Device IDs must be known ?

Plus one bonus question .. when the app is developed and all good to go, given that I'm not selling the app comercially, how would I then deploy using Phogap Build to the client's whole company ? I certainly can't ask them all for their UDID !

thanks in advance!

Doug
ps. I can't ask the client to switch to android as they have invested in IOS devices historically. I uinderstand these issues don't exist for Android deployment.
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Petra V., Champion

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Hi Doug,
Perhaps it would be best to start reading here:
https://developer.apple.com/library/i...

(I haven't really ever gone through that all, so I can't give you any advice from experience. Sorry.)

When all is well and done, you can deploy the app 'in-house' using an MDM system, set up for that purpose.

Just wondering: doesn't even a small group of testers want to give the UDID of their devices? And if really not, would it be too much of an investment to buy a couple of devices of different types and use those for test purposes (where, of course, the UDID's would be given to you)?
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Doug Tait

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Hi Petra,

The client asked for an IOS app so I'd be missing the target if I suggested testing on Android.

I'd already read the link you supplied (thanks!) -

The MDM system sounds interesting as the client uses ibm Maas360, but I hadn't considered that until the app is good to go. m asking very daft questions but your support has been very useful.

Something has just occurred to me: Are you another phonegap user ? Or a phonegap support employee ?

Doug
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Petra V., Champion

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I'm merely a user who happens to be on the forum frequently. Not an employee.
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JesseMonroy650 (Volunteer), Champion

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@Doug,
For your task, you can use Hockey App or Test Flight (from Apple now). Both load an intermediate app, the loads your app. Both are meant for testing. I think the Enterprise solution Apple offers has this.

If you are just testing the core phonegap library (accel, gps, contacts, etc) or the UI, then I would suggest the Phonegap Developer/Desktop App. NOTE: Phonegap Desktop App is not intended for full or final development of an app. It is only a testing and teaching tool.

Best of Luck
Jesse
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Anders Borg

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I have a customer where the IT department flat out refused to provide UDIDs, for security or whatever reasons, so it happens.

I used TestFlight instead:

Make a publishable app, but only publish to TestFlight and invite testers via their mail addresses. As far as I know they don't have to be registered App Store users, hence they don't need Apple IDs.
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Doug Tait

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Anders - thanks, when you say "make a publishable app", what does that entail (forgive me for asking a daft quesiton) ? In the context of phonegap, what's a 'publishable app' ?

Very steep learnign curve please forgive me if I'm asking too much
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Doug Tait

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Petra - there;s a hostorical precedent where they were seemingly able to distribute a previous test app without needing UDIDs etc.
This goes back several years to IOS 4, and things may have been different then, or they may be mis-remebering things, but have to check to see if what they claim is possible (testing without listing udid), is possible. I'm thinking it probably isn't (either never was or isn't anymore) so the info you've provided is extremely helpful, even though it's "no you can't do it". thanks again
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Petra V., Champion

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If I understand Anders correctly, he means:
- build the app with a distribution cert and AppStore mobileprovision
- have your testers use the Testflight app (I wasn't aware of that new development; before 2015, UDID's were to be registered when using Testflight, too)

For full information, see https://developer.apple.com/testflight/

Background article:
https://subodhnpushpak.wordpress.com/...
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Anders Borg

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No need to register UDIDs for TestFlight. Actually I've never encountered that requirement. I've also been tester for others' apps. Never disclosed UDID.

Late in the game I guess :).