IOS – How to create an IPA file (non-payload folder method)

applicationsarchiveiosipaxcode

I'm trying to create an iOS IPA file using Xcode. I have archived it (Product → Archive) and it is visible under my archives (Window → Organiser), but Xcode says I can't Export it unless I have an Apple Developer Licence.

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Is there any way to create a proper IPA of this (not by placing the .app into a folder named payload, zipping that folder, and then renaming the .zip to .ipa)?

When I try to do what is suggested here, this happens:

$ cd ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives/2019-05-07 
$ xcodebuild -exportArchive -exportFormat ipa -archivePath g0blinpreRC3.xcarchive -exportPath ~/Desktop/Jailbreak/iOS\ 10/g0blin_preRC3.ipa

xcodebuild: error: invalid option '-exportFormat'

Best Answer

You can't create an ipa file without an Apple Developer Account.

You can create a free developer account and sign the app with a development certificate. You won't be allowed to distribute the app to anyone but you can use it on your own devices.

An overview of the different types of memberships are available here.