Testing App Store "Distribution" version

Is there a way to test the App Store Distribution bundle that's to be submitted to iTunes Connect, on a device开发者_JAVA百科, e.g. iPod Touch?

Also, for the distribution bundle is it important to remove the file "Entitlemenets.plist"?

You can run a Distribution build on a device with your Ad Hoc provisioning profile.

(You can't launch it with the debugger though.)

Also, you can submit an Ad Hoc build to the App Store.

This is because both Ad Hoc and Distribution builds are signed with the same distribution certificate. (There is no separate "Ad Hoc certificate".)

Do not remove Entitlements.plist. It must be present.

Yes it is possible. All you have to do is first install your app with the Ad Hoc provisioning profile on your device. Then, when you have removed your app again, you can install it with a build signed with your App Store provisioning profile.

This works because when you install the Ad Hoc build, the Ad Hoc provisioning profile is installed on your phone, which adds your distribution certificate, which is the same used by the App Store provisioning profile. This is sufficient for your distribution build to run.

The provisioning profile is merely a set of rules explaining which devices are allowed to install your certificate. The Ad Hoc profile allows your registered devices to install your distribution certificate. The App Store profile allows App Store users to install it. Once the device has the certificate, they do not need to install it again and can use your app regardless of which profile is bundled in the app.

Step by step for Xcode to test your distribution bundle:

(Note: this does NOT require a jailbroken phone)

First time you want to test your app with a distribution build:

1. Create provisioning profiles for app store and ad hoc in provisioning portal and install them on your mac.
2. Archive your project
3. Press distribute and choose ad hoc / enterprise
4. Choose the ad hoc provisiong profile
5. Install the package on your iPhone (via iTunes or whatever way you prefer). Verify that the Ad Hoc profile is installed in your phone settings
6. Remove app, but keep the installed profile on your phone

Now, every time you want to release your app and pre-test it with your release build, you can do this:

1. Archive your project
2. Press distribute and choose ad hoc / enterprise
3. Choose the App Store provisioning profile
4. Install on your phone and test it (using iTunes, for example)
5. Upload the exported .ipa to App Store (via Application Loader)

You can test the equivalent of the App Store distribution bundle by creating a target identical to the App Store target except signed with an Ad Hoc provisioning profile.

check this out, you can actually test a distribution build :

http://nikhilkerala.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-test-app-store-distribution.html