iOS Code Signing

Last updated: May 22, 2026

iOS Code Signing connects your Appilix project to your Apple Developer account, allowing Appilix to build and sign your app automatically. Once configured, every iOS build is uploaded to App Store Connect without any manual steps, and you can test on real devices via TestFlight.

Without code signing, you can still test your iOS app using the browser-based simulator — but TestFlight and App Store submission require this setup.

Step 1 — Create an App Store Connect API Key

All three credentials below come from a single API key you create in App Store Connect.

  1. Sign in to App Store Connect and go to Users and Access.

  2. Open the Integrations tab → App Store Connect API → Team Keys.
  3. Copy the Issuer ID shown on this page (it looks like a UUID).
  4. Click + to create a new key. Name it (e.g., Appilix Key), set the role to App Manager or higher, and click Generate.
  5. Copy the Key ID shown for the new key.
  6. Click Download API Key to get the .p8 file.

Important: The .p8 file can only be downloaded once. If you lose it, you must create a new API key. Keep it private — anyone with the file and IDs can access your App Store Connect account through this key's permissions.

Enter the Issuer ID, Key ID, and upload the .p8 file into the corresponding fields in Appilix.

Step 2 — Distribution Certificate

Select your iOS Distribution Certificate. This is the certificate that proves the app was built by an authorized Apple Developer.

If you do not have one, click Create New Certificate to generate one directly from Appilix.

Note: If you are updating an existing iOS app, you must create a new certificate using the Create New Certificate button.

Step 3 — Bundle Identifier

Confirm your app's Bundle ID (e.g., com.example.myapp). This must match:

  • The Bundle ID configured in your Appilix app settings

  • The Identifier registered in App Store Connect

If no Identifier exists yet, click Create New Identifier to register it automatically.

Step 4 — Provisioning Profile

Select a Provisioning Profile that matches your Bundle ID and Distribution Certificate.

If no profile exists, click Create New Provisioning Profile to generate one. If you created a new certificate in Step 2, you must also create a new profile.

Step 5 — Development Region

Set the default language and region for your app. This value goes into CFBundleDevelopmentRegion in the app's Info.plist.

  • Default: en (English)

  • Common values: en, es, fr, de, ar

Step 6 — Upload IPA to App Store

Choose whether Appilix should automatically upload the built IPA to App Store Connect.

OptionEffect
NoBuilds the IPA — test via browser simulator only
YesBuilds and uploads automatically — test via browser simulator or TestFlight on real devices

To enable auto-upload, you need an app created in App Store Connect first:

  1. Go to App Store Connect → Apps.

  2. Click + → New App.
  3. Choose iOS, enter the app name, select your Bundle ID, and set App Services to Full Access.
  4. Click Continue, then click Recheck Availability in Appilix.

Once everything is configured, every iOS build triggers an automatic upload. The build appears in TestFlight within minutes of the build completing.