Skip to content

Apple.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
197 lines (148 loc) · 6.36 KB

Apple.md

File metadata and controls

197 lines (148 loc) · 6.36 KB

Deploying Interval Timer to iPad via TestFlight

This guide walks through deploying the Interval Timer app to iPads (no Developer Mode required) using TestFlight.

Prerequisites

  • Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year)
  • Xcode installed with your Apple ID signed in
  • Flutter SDK installed

Current App Settings

Setting Value
Bundle ID com.petertools.intervalTimer
Team ID (your Apple Developer Team ID)
Version 1.0.0
Build 1
Min iOS 13.0
Orientations Landscape only

Step 1: Register the Bundle ID

  1. Go to Apple Developer — Identifiers
  2. Click + to register a new identifier
  3. Select App IDs > App
  4. Fill in:
    • Description: Interval Timer
    • Bundle ID: Select Explicit, enter com.petertools.intervalTimer
  5. Under Capabilities, no special entitlements are needed (no push notifications, no HealthKit, etc.)
  6. Click Continue > Register

Step 2: Create the App in App Store Connect

  1. Go to App Store Connect — My Apps
  2. Click + > New App
  3. Fill in:
    • Platforms: iOS
    • Name: Interval Timer
    • Primary Language: English (U.S.)
    • Bundle ID: Select com.petertools.intervalTimer from the dropdown (registered in Step 1)
    • SKU: interval-timer (any unique string, internal use only)
    • User Access: Full Access
  4. Click Create

Step 3: Build the IPA

From the project directory:

# From the project root:
# Clean and build the release IPA
flutter clean
flutter pub get
flutter build ipa --release

This creates an archive at:

build/ios/archive/Runner.xcarchive

And an IPA ready for upload at:

build/ios/ipa/interval_timer.ipa

If the build fails with signing errors

Open the Xcode workspace and fix signing manually:

open ios/Runner.xcworkspace

In Xcode:

  1. Select the Runner target
  2. Go to Signing & Capabilities
  3. Check Automatically manage signing
  4. Select your team
  5. Xcode will create/download the provisioning profile
  6. Close Xcode, run flutter build ipa --release again

Step 4: Upload to App Store Connect

Option A — using the command line:

xcrun altool --upload-app \
  --type ios \
  --file build/ios/ipa/interval_timer.ipa \
  --apiKey YOUR_API_KEY \
  --apiIssuer YOUR_ISSUER_ID

To create an API key:

  1. Go to App Store Connect — Users and Access — Integrations — App Store Connect API
  2. Click + to generate a new key
  3. Name: CLI Upload, Role: Developer
  4. Download the .p8 file and note the Key ID and Issuer ID
  5. Place the .p8 file at ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/AuthKey_YOURKEYID.p8

Option B — using Transporter (easier for one-off uploads):

  1. Install Transporter from the Mac App Store (free, by Apple)
  2. Open Transporter, sign in with your Apple ID
  3. Drag build/ios/ipa/interval_timer.ipa into the window
  4. Click Deliver

Option C — using Xcode directly:

  1. Open the archive: open build/ios/archive/Runner.xcarchive
  2. This opens the Xcode Organizer
  3. Select the archive, click Distribute App
  4. Choose App Store Connect > Upload
  5. Follow the prompts

Step 5: Set Up TestFlight

After the upload processes (takes a few minutes):

  1. Go to App Store Connect — My Apps > Interval Timer
  2. Click the TestFlight tab
  3. Your build should appear under iOS Builds (status: Processing, then Ready to Test)
  4. If prompted for Export Compliance, select No (this app doesn't use encryption beyond standard HTTPS)

Add Internal Testers (up to 100, no review needed)

  1. In TestFlight, click Internal Testing in the left sidebar
  2. Click + next to "Internal Testing" to create a group
  3. Name it (e.g., "Family")
  4. Click + next to Testers, add people by Apple ID email
  5. Enable the build for this group
  6. Testers get an email invite immediately

Add External Testers (up to 10,000, requires brief review)

  1. In TestFlight, click External Testing in the left sidebar
  2. Click + to create a group
  3. Add testers by email
  4. Submit the build for Beta App Review (usually approved within 24-48 hours)
  5. Once approved, testers get an email invite

Step 6: Install on iPad

On each iPad:

  1. Install the TestFlight app from the App Store (free)
  2. Open the invite email, tap View in TestFlight
  3. In TestFlight, tap Install next to Interval Timer
  4. The app appears on the home screen like any other app

No Developer Mode needed. No cable needed. Works over Wi-Fi.

Updating the App

When you release a new version:

  1. Bump the version in pubspec.yaml:

    version: 1.0.1+2   # format: name+buildNumber

    The build number must always increase (App Store Connect rejects duplicate build numbers).

  2. Build and upload:

    flutter build ipa --release
# Then upload via Transporter, xcrun, or Xcode

  3. In App Store Connect > TestFlight, the new build appears automatically

  4. If using internal testing, it's available immediately

  5. If using external testing, it goes through Beta Review again

Troubleshooting

Problem Fix
flutter build ipa fails with "no provisioning profile" Open ios/Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode, enable automatic signing, select your team
Build number rejected ("already exists") Increment the +N part in version: in pubspec.yaml
TestFlight build stuck on "Processing" Wait up to 30 minutes; Apple processes the binary server-side
Testers don't receive invite Check their email matches their Apple ID; check spam folder
"Export Compliance" warning Select "No" — the app uses no custom encryption
App crashes on iPad but works on simulator Check the minimum iOS version; test with flutter run --release -d <device> if you have a dev device

Notes

  • TestFlight builds expire after 90 days. Upload a new build before expiry to keep testers active.
  • Internal testers must be added as App Store Connect users (with at least the "Marketing" or "Developer" role).
  • External testers only need an email address — they don't need App Store Connect access.
  • The app is landscape-only on iPad, which is intentional for gym use.