Apple iOS IPA Generation

This guide provides detailed instructions for generating the Apple iOS IPA (iOS App Store Package). This file is the final output of your iOS mobile application development and is needed to distribute the application on the iOS platform.

Prerequisites:

Ensure that you have the following tools installed and setup:

  • Flutter SDK
  • Xcode for iOS IPA generation

Setup

  1. Navigate to the rekindle-flutter/ios directory in the terminal and run pod install
  2. Open Xcode, then open the Xcode workspace file /ios/Runner.xcworkspace
  3. In the Project navigator, select the Runner folder
  4. On the General tab, set the Minimum deployment to iOS 11
  5. In the Project navigator, select the Pods folder
  6. On the Info tab, set the iOS deployment target to iOS 11

Apple iOS IPA Generation and submission to App Store Connect

  1. Check the version number in pubspec.yaml and in web/index.html they should be the same
  2. In the terminal run ./build-client-ios.sh <CLIENT> <ENVIRONMENT> <HOST>
    • ie. for AGSA Staging ./build-client-ios.sh agsa staging portal.rekindleapps.com
      • ie. for Crosshill Production ./build-client-ios.sh crosshill production portal.rekindlelearning.com
  3. In Xcode:
    1. Select the “Runner” folder in the Project navigator
    2. On the “General” tab:
      • Update “Display Name” accordingly (it must match the App Store name)
      • Ensure the “Version” is correct for the release sequence
      • Ensure the “Build” is correct for the next in sequence
    3. On the “Sign & Capabilities” tab:
      • Set the “Team” to Rekindle Learning (Pty) Ltd.

        Note: You should have necessary access rights to this team on the Apple Developer Account

      • Update the “Bundle Identifier” accordingly com.rekindlelearning.<CLIENT_NAME>
    4. Go to “Runner/Runner/Info” in the Project navigator
      • Find the field “Build name”
      • Update it to match the display name (for example: “AGSA Shift”)
    5. On the “Product/Destination” menu, ensure “Any iOS device (arm64)” is selected
    6. In the “Product” menu click Archive. This action prepares the app for publishing
    7. After archiving, a dialog box will open. To upload the app to the App Store:
      • Make sure the correct client is selected
      • Click “Distribute App”
      • Select “Test Flight & App Store”
      • Select “Distribute”
      • Leave all other settings at their default
  4. Go to TestFlight in App Store Connect and check that the app version has uploaded correctly, this might take a couple of minutes.
  5. If there is an export compliance warning in Test Flight, select the “Standard encryption”.

    Note: Due to export restrictions, the app won’t be published in France. This restriction is related to encryption laws and trade agreements