After testing your app for your release, it’s time to build the IPA and upload it to the App Store.

If you don’t have a Mac to do this, it’s very easy to automate and complete this task using Bitrise CI/CD.

Take a look at the simple tasks for my iOS Prod release.

Here’s the section of the YAML file used to complete this:

ios-prod-release:
   steps:
   - activate-ssh-key@4:
      run_if: '{{getenv "SSH_RSA_PRIVATE_KEY" | ne ""}}'
   - git-clone@4: {}
   - certificate-and-profile-installer@1: {}
   - npm@1:
     inputs:
   - command: install
   - generate-cordova-build-configuration@0:
     inputs:
       - development_team: [REDACTED]
       - code_sign_identity: iPhone Distribution
       - package_type: app-store
       - provisioning_profile: [REDACTED]
       - configuration: release
       - ionic-archive@2:
     inputs:
       - options: --prod -- --buildFlag="-UseModernBuildSystem=0"
       - cache_local_deps: 'true'
       - platform: ios
       - deploy-to-bitrise-io@1: {}
       - deploy-to-itunesconnect-application-loader@0:
     inputs:
       - password: "$APPLE_ID_PASS"
       - app_password: "$APPLE_APP_PASS"
       - itunescon_user: "$APPLE_ID"

The last section might be a bit cryptic (the section with $APPLE_ID_PASS, etc.). It’s part of the “Deploy to iTunes Connect” step. The keys are entered into Bitrise and stored securely.

Once the build is complete, the IPA has been uploaded to iTunes Connect. Next, wait for the IPA to be processed by Apple and it will then be available as a build for you to select. You will still need to go into App Store Connect to prepare your build and submit it for Review.

Leave a Comment