How to export an IPA from Xcode
Updated
To export an IPA from Xcode: pick Any iOS Device (arm64) as the destination, choose Product → Archive, then in the Organizer click Distribute App, pick Release Testing (ad hoc), Enterprise or Debugging (development), and Export. Xcode writes a folder containing your .ipa, ready to upload and share.
Before you start
- A paid Apple Developer account (needed for ad-hoc and enterprise signing).
- Testers' devices registered if you're exporting for ad hoc — see adding a UDID.
- Automatic signing on, or a matching distribution certificate and provisioning profile.
Step by step in Xcode
- In the toolbar, set the run destination to Any iOS Device (arm64). Archive is greyed out while a simulator is selected.
- Choose Product → Archive. When it finishes, the Organizer window opens with the new archive selected.
- Click Distribute App.
- Choose a method:
- Release Testing — ad hoc. Installs on devices registered in your account. Best for sharing with testers.
- Enterprise — only with an Apple Developer Enterprise Program account; installs on any device in your organization.
- Debugging — development signing for your own devices; needs Developer Mode.
- TestFlight & App Store — uploads to App Store Connect instead of exporting a shareable file.
- Click Distribute, then Export and pick a folder. Older Xcode versions call these options Ad Hoc and Development and show a few more screens — the defaults are fine.
- Open the folder: your AppName.ipa is inside.
Export from the command line (CI)
Archive, then export with an options plist:
xcodebuild -scheme MyApp -configuration Release -archivePath build/MyApp.xcarchive archive
xcodebuild -exportArchive -archivePath build/MyApp.xcarchive -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist -exportPath build/out
In ExportOptions.plist, set the method key to release-testing (Xcode 15.4+; older versions use ad-hoc), enterprise or debugging/development. The easiest way to get a correct plist is to export once from Xcode — it saves an ExportOptions.plist next to the IPA.
Share the IPA
Upload the .ipa at ipalinked.com and send the link — testers install over the air from Safari. Not sure the profile includes the right devices? Drop the file into the IPA analyzer first.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Product > Archive greyed out?
A simulator is selected as the run destination. Choose Any iOS Device (arm64) or a connected device, then archive.
Which export method should I use to share with testers?
Release Testing (called Ad Hoc in older Xcode). It installs on every device registered in your developer account's provisioning profile.
Where does Xcode save the IPA?
In the folder you choose at the end of the export; the .ipa sits there alongside ExportOptions.plist and a distribution summary.
Can I export an IPA without a paid developer account?
Not one you can share: ad-hoc and enterprise signing require a paid Apple Developer membership.