Distribute an iOS app

Apple® allows you to distribute your apps using the Apple AppStore or Over-theAir installation.

To distribute an iOS app, you must have created a signed iOS app package with an .ipa extension. See Creating a package and Packaging for a mobile device.

Apple offers two separate programs for distributing your apps:
  • The Apple Developer Program. Join this program to distribute your app using the App Store; members of this program can also distribute proprietary, internal-use iOS apps in-house. It allows members to use Apple Business Manager, Ad Hoc distribution, or redemption codes to privately distribute custom apps to employees, and TestFlight to test beta versions of the apps. For most users, membership in the Apple Developer Program is sufficient.
  • The Apple Developer Enterprise Program allows large organizations to develop and deploy proprietary, internal-use apps to their employees. It does not let you submit your app to the App Store. Apple evaluates whether you can join this program; it is intended for large enterprises only and is intended to address specific use cases where distribution is not possible using the tools provided by the Apple Developer Program.

Options for distributing iOS apps can change; it is recommended that you examine the latest distribution options offered by the program to which you belong.