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iOS App Store

by Jon (Updated on 2015-10-22)


Contents

  • Requirements
  • Walkthrough
    • Step 1: Enter in Certificate Details
    • Step 2: Export to an IPA
    • Step 3: Upload to Apple
    • Step 4: Share with Testers
  • Troubleshooting
  • Advanced: Deploying Apps Over the Air (OTA)

Requirements

Step 1: Enter in Certificate Details

Before you can export your app, you’ll need to tell Stencyl where your P12 and provision profiles are located.

Specify these two things under Game Settings > Mobile > Certificates (iOS).

Step 2: Export an IPA

An IPA (iPhone Archive) is the file you send to Apple or deliver to beta testers for testing.

To export your game as an IPA, go to Publish > Mobile > iOS from the main Menu. The app will churn for a bit and then ask you whether you're deploying to the App Store or Testers (Ad Hoc).

Either way, you'll get an IPA file out of it.

Note: Advanced users can export to an Xcode project (Publish > Mobile > Xcode Project) if they need to perform additional steps before exporting an IPA.

Step 3: Upload to Apple

Visit iTunes Connect

First, head over to iTunes Connect, the web app that lets you submit your app for review. (You may already have done all of this if your game uses Game Center, iAds and/or purchases.)

During this process, you'll be asked to enter in all of the relevant details and screenshots for the game.

Does this app use the Advertising Identifier (IDFA)?

You will be asked the following question on iTunes Connect: Does this app use the Advertising Identifier (IDFA)?

  • Answer NO if your game has no ads, besides iAds.

  • Answer YES if your game has any ads besides iAds. If your game gets rejected, send a link to a YouTube video demonstrating that the ads work.

Launch Application Loader from Xcode

At some point, iTunes Connect will ask you to upload your game through the Application Loader app on your Mac.

1) Launch Xcode.

2) From the main menu, it's found at: Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Application Loader

Using Application Loader

Application Loader is the app you'll use to send your IPA over to Apple.

1) After you launch Application Loader, sign in when asked.

2) Once you are in, choose Deliver Your App and locate the IPA that you just exported.

3) Now, follow the rest of the process to upload your app.

If you get stuck, we recommend checking out Apple's page on Application Loader.

Step 4 (Optional): Share with Testers

If you want to share your game with others for beta testing, you'll need to publish the game as an Ad Hoc build (that question is posed during publishing from Stencyl).

After the Ad Hoc IPA is created, upload it to a service such as TestFlight or provide it directly to your audience through a private site.

Note: Don't forget that you need to include any beta testers within your provision profiles. Services like TestFlight will remind you about this.

Troubleshooting

If you haven't set up your certificates properly, you'll run into problems during the IPA export process.

We've devoted an entire article to troubleshooting common issues with iOS, Xcode and Certificates.

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Disclaimer: Use comments to provide feedback and point out issues with the article (typo, wrong info, etc.). If you're seeking help for your game, please ask a question on the forums. Thanks!

6 Comments

james621lara
Thanks For sharing this information. It’s Nice..!!!
https://games.lol/

0 6 years, 2 months ago
alexandraleigh
Just what I was looking for. I also can be helpful here :) Just look at the service http://goo.gl/Ms4ebj. Its pretty easy to use.

-1 9 years, 1 month ago
Jon
Updated the article for clarity.

If you aren't using ads, answer NO to the question. If you answer YES, you need to prove to Apple that you are using ads.

0 9 years, 4 months ago
jhowa
Apple recently rejected an update to my ios game (previous versions approved) because I ticked YES to IDFA but am not using in game adverts.
Previously there have been no problems.

Is this a major change in the way Apple are approving apps?

How do we get around this do you think Jon?

0 9 years, 11 months ago
Jon
Thanks for the tip. I've updated the article.
0 10 years, 8 months ago
id8games
Need to update this article. Things have changed in iTunesconnect and Application Loader.
In iTunesconnect, there are many steps a person needs to take before the app status changes to "Waiting for Upload".
The main update I found and which confused me is the section on "Advertising Identifier".
Does this app use the Advertising Identifier (IDFA) ? Apparently YES. It would be good to add this tip in the notes above, as my binary was rejected cause I clicked on No.
Once I ticked YES to the above question and re-uploaded my binary, I got a big fat green TICK :)


1 10 years, 9 months ago

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