build-ios

​

Overview

• Uploaded to TestFlight for beta testing
• Submitted to the App Store for review and distribution
• Distributed via Enterprise or Ad Hoc provisioning

​

Prerequisites

cd ios
pod install
cd ..

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Building with Xcode

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Archive for Distribution

open ios/YourApp.xcworkspace

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Building with Command Line

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Using xcodebuild

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Build for Generic Device

cd ios

xcodebuild \
  -workspace YourApp.xcworkspace \
  -scheme YourApp \
  -configuration Release \
  -destination generic/platform=iOS \
  -archivePath ./build/YourApp.xcarchive \
  archive

​

Export IPA

xcodebuild \
  -exportArchive \
  -archivePath ./build/YourApp.xcarchive \
  -exportPath ./build \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist

​

ExportOptions.plist

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>method</key>
    <string>app-store</string>
    <key>teamID</key>
    <string>YOUR_TEAM_ID</string>
    <key>uploadBitcode</key>
    <false/>
    <key>compileBitcode</key>
    <false/>
    <key>uploadSymbols</key>
    <true/>
    <key>signingStyle</key>
    <string>automatic</string>
</dict>
</plist>

• app-store - For App Store Connect
• ad-hoc - For specific registered devices
• enterprise - For enterprise distribution
• development - For development builds

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Using Fastlane

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Install Fastlane

sudo gem install fastlane
cd ios
fastlane init

​

Configure Fastfile

default_platform(:ios)

platform :ios do
  desc "Build and upload to TestFlight"
  lane :beta do
    increment_build_number(xcodeproj: "YourApp.xcodeproj")
    build_app(
      workspace: "YourApp.xcworkspace",
      scheme: "YourApp",
      export_method: "app-store"
    )
    upload_to_testflight(
      skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true
    )
  end
  
  desc "Build for App Store"
  lane :release do
    increment_build_number(xcodeproj: "YourApp.xcodeproj")
    build_app(
      workspace: "YourApp.xcworkspace",
      scheme: "YourApp",
      export_method: "app-store"
    )
    upload_to_app_store(
      submit_for_review: false,
      automatic_release: false
    )
  end
end

​

Run Fastlane

cd ios
fastlane beta    # Upload to TestFlight
fastlane release # Upload to App Store

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Build Configurations

​

Debug vs Release

• Fast Refresh enabled
• Developer menu available
• Not optimized
• Larger binary size

• Optimized for performance
• Smaller binary size
• No developer tools
• JavaScript bundled in app

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Custom Configurations

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Build with Custom Configuration

xcodebuild \
  -workspace YourApp.xcworkspace \
  -scheme YourApp-Staging \
  -configuration Staging \
  -destination generic/platform=iOS \
  archive

​

Code Signing

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Automatic Signing

1. In Xcode, select your target
2. Signing & Capabilities tab
3. Check Automatically manage signing
4. Select your Team

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Manual Signing

1. Uncheck Automatically manage signing
2. Select Provisioning Profile for each configuration
3. Ensure certificates are installed in Keychain

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Certificates

• Development Certificate - For debug builds
• Distribution Certificate - For release builds

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Provisioning Profiles

• Development - Testing on registered devices
• Ad Hoc - Testing on up to 100 registered devices
• App Store - For App Store distribution
• Enterprise - For in-house distribution (requires Enterprise account)

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Version Management

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Update Version and Build Number

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Via Xcode

1. Select target > General tab
2. Update Version (e.g., “1.2.0”)
3. Update Build number (e.g., “42”)

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Via Command Line

# Increment build number
cd ios
agvtool next-version -all

# Set version
agvtool new-marketing-version 1.2.0

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Via Fastlane

fastlane run increment_version_number version_number:1.2.0
fastlane run increment_build_number

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Version Requirements

• Version (CFBundleShortVersionString): User-facing version (e.g., “1.2.0”)
• Build (CFBundleVersion): Must be unique for each build uploaded to App Store Connect

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Upload to App Store Connect

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Using Xcode Organizer

1. Product > Archive
2. In Organizer, select archive
3. Click Distribute App
4. Choose App Store Connect
5. Select Upload
6. Follow wizard

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Using Transporter App

1. Download Transporter
2. Open app
3. Sign in with Apple ID
4. Drag and drop IPA file
5. Click Deliver

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Using Command Line

xcrun altool --upload-app \
  --type ios \
  --file ./build/YourApp.ipa \
  --username "[email protected]" \
  --password "app-specific-password"

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Using Fastlane

fastlane deliver --ipa ./build/YourApp.ipa

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Optimization

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Reduce App Size

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Enable Bitcode (if applicable)

post_install do |installer|
  installer.pods_project.targets.each do |target|
    target.build_configurations.each do |config|
      config.build_settings['ENABLE_BITCODE'] = 'YES'
    end
  end
end

​

App Thinning

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Remove Unused Assets

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Optimization Settings

• Optimization Level (Release): -Os or -O3
• Strip Debug Symbols: YES
• Strip Linked Product: YES
• Make Strings Read-Only: YES
• Dead Code Stripping: YES

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Testing Release Build

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Test Locally

npx react-native run-ios --configuration Release

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TestFlight

1. Upload build to App Store Connect
2. Build processes automatically
3. Add internal/external testers
4. Testers install via TestFlight app

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Continuous Integration

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GitHub Actions

name: iOS Build

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: macos-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      
      - name: Setup Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: '18'
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: |
          npm install
          cd ios && pod install && cd ..
      
      - name: Build
        run: |
          cd ios
          xcodebuild \
            -workspace YourApp.xcworkspace \
            -scheme YourApp \
            -configuration Release \
            -destination generic/platform=iOS \
            -archivePath ./build/YourApp.xcarchive \
            archive
      
      - name: Export IPA
        run: |
          cd ios
          xcodebuild \
            -exportArchive \
            -archivePath ./build/YourApp.xcarchive \
            -exportPath ./build \
            -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist
      
      - name: Upload IPA
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
        with:
          name: YourApp.ipa
          path: ios/build/YourApp.ipa

​

Using Fastlane in CI

- name: Build and upload to TestFlight
  env:
    MATCH_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.MATCH_PASSWORD }}
    FASTLANE_APPLE_APPLICATION_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APP_STORE_CONNECT_PASSWORD }}
  run: |
    cd ios
    fastlane beta

​

Troubleshooting

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Code Signing Issues

1. Ensure you’re logged into Xcode with Apple ID
2. Download certificates from Developer Portal
3. Install in Keychain Access

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Provisioning Profile Errors

• Use automatic signing in Xcode
• Or download profile from Developer Portal
• Install by double-clicking .mobileprovision file

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Build Failed

# Clean build folder
cd ios
rm -rf build
rm -rf Pods
pod install

# Clean in Xcode
# Product > Clean Build Folder (Cmd+Shift+K)

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Archive Upload Failed

• Check App Store Connect status
• Verify bundle ID matches your app
• Ensure version/build number is unique
• Try uploading via Transporter app

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Missing Compliance

<key>ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption</key>
<false/>

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App Store Guidelines

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Next Steps