Ad-hoc distribution, start to finish

Ad-hoc is Apple's mechanism for distributing an app to a known set of test devices without the App Store. Combined with an OTA link from IPALinked, it puts a build on a tester's phone in minutes.

Step 1 — Collect device UDIDs

Each tester finds their UDID — easiest with our UDID finder — and sends it to you.

Step 2 — Register the devices

In the Apple Developer portal → Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles → Devices → “+” → add each UDID (up to 100 per device type per year).

Step 3 — Export the ad-hoc IPA in Xcode

1. Product → Archive;
2. In the Organizer, click Distribute App → choose Ad Hoc;
3. Let Xcode manage signing (it builds the ad-hoc provisioning profile with your registered devices);
4. Export — you get an .ipa file.

Step 4 — Share it

Upload the .ipa to IPALinked, send the link, testers tap Install on device. If someone gets “Unable to Install”, their UDID isn't in the profile — troubleshooting guide here.