# Export an IPA file
> Prepare and retrieve the iOS binary (.ipa) of your PandaSuite application for the App Store, Ad Hoc deployment, or in-house distribution.
https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/export-an-ipa-file/
**The iOS export is the final step before publishing or distributing your application.**
You will:
1. Customize the name, icon, and splash screen.
2. Choose iPhone/iPad compatibility and the distribution mode.
3. Sign the application with the Apple assets required for your distribution method.
Once the binary is generated, you will have a download link from your PandaSuite dashboard.
> **Success**
>
> The IPA export is only available for **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans.
## What is an IPA file?
The IPA file is the native package of an iOS application. This is the file used to install an app on an iPhone or iPad. You can export your application’s IPA file from your PandaSuite dashboard.
> **Info**
>
> The `.ipa` format is used to publish on the App Store, deploy an app with Ad Hoc distribution, or distribute an app in-house.
> **Tip**
>
> Replacing an expiring distribution certificate? Export your next IPA with the
> new `.p12` file and the updated `.mobileprovision` file. See [Replace an
> expiring or expired iOS distribution
> certificate](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/renew-an-expiring-ios-distribution-certificate/).
## Prerequisites
- IPA export is only available on **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans.
- Your project content is finalized and published.
- An **[Apple Developer account](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/create-your-apple-developer-account/)** if you want to export a signed IPA for the App Store, Ad Hoc, or in-house distribution.
- An **[iOS provisioning profile](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/create-an-ios-provisioning-profile/)** matching the selected distribution mode.
- An **[iOS certificate (.p12)](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/generate-an-ios-certificate/)** and its password.
- An **App ID / Bundle ID** registered in Apple Developer if the app is signed.
## Minimum OS Version and Device Compatibility
| Item | Details |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Minimum supported version** | iOS 15.0 |
| **Supported devices** | iPhone and iPad |
| **Choices in the export form** | iPhone, iPad, or both (a [Single](https://docs.pandasuite.com/account/subscription/the-single-plan/) plan is enough) |
| **Binary type** | Native iOS `.ipa` file |
| **Installation** | The IPA must be signed before it can be installed or distributed |
Important points before distribution:
- If you target both iPhone and iPad, test your project on multiple screen sizes and orientations.
- Hardware-related features such as camera, microphone, Bluetooth, geolocation, or push notifications also depend on granted permissions and device capabilities.
- If you enable offline mode, any content update requires generating and redistributing a new IPA.
- The provisioning profile must match the selected distribution mode: App Store, Ad Hoc, or in-house.
## Export the IPA file
### Access the dashboard
[Image: Mobile card of the Platforms section: the Generate button of iOS is framed]
1. Log in to your [PandaSuite dashboard](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/publish).
2. In **Apps**, create or select the relevant application.
3. In **Platforms**, find the **Mobile** card.
4. Click **Generate** next to **iOS**.
### Fill out the form
[Image: Prepare Your IPA File form: Customization (icon and name), iPhone or iPad compatibility, version and build]
| Field | Description |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Icon** | PNG 1024 × 1024 px. This icon is used for the iOS app once installed on the device, so it should match the branding you want users to see on their Home Screen. |
| **Name** | Displayed under the icon on the device. Use the final user-facing app name, because this is the label people will recognize when launching the app. |
| **Device Compatibility** | Choose **iPhone**, **iPad**, or **both**: a **Single** plan is enough. This setting defines which devices can install the app and should match the layouts you actually tested in your project. |
| **Version / Build** | We recommend starting with `1.0.0` and `1`. Increment them with each update: the version is the release number visible to users, while the build is the internal revision number used by Apple. |
| **Asset management (offline)** | If enabled, the IPA embeds the assets needed to run without a connection. This is useful for disconnected environments, but any later content update requires generating and redistributing a new IPA. Requires a **Yearly** or **One-Time Payment** plan, and is available only if your application contains a single project. |
| **Loading screen** | Choose how the splash screen is generated when the app starts. You can let PandaSuite create it from the app icon, or provide your own visuals if you need tighter control over the startup branding. |
| **Primary / Secondary color** | Used for the loader displayed on top of the loading screen. These colors should stay consistent with your icon or splash screen so the startup experience feels visually coherent. |
| **iOS Distribution Mode** | Select the delivery target for this IPA: • **[Publish on the Apple App Store](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/publish-on-the-apple-app-store/)** for public release
• **[Deploy in Ad Hoc mode](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/deploy-your-ios-via-ad-hoc-distribution/)** for a limited set of registered devices
• **[Distribute an in-house iOS app](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/distribute-your-ios-app-in-hous/)** for internal company distribution. This choice must match your provisioning profile. |
| **Signature** | Determines whether PandaSuite signs the IPA for you or whether you keep signing under your own responsibility. The available options depend on your distribution workflow and the Apple assets you provide. |
| **Advanced options** | Click **Show advanced options**. • **Navigation bar logo (only for hub app)**: if you are exporting [a content hub](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/content-hub/), choose the logo displayed in the navigation bar.
• **Tracking Usage (Privacy)**: turn on **Message enabled** to include the message that tells users why the app asks for permission to use data for tracking them or their device.
• **EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management) parameters**: appears when your projects declare [EMM parameters](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/project-properties/project-properties-and-actions/). Choose **Enable** so that your MDM can pass their values to the app. You can usually ignore this section for a standard single-app export. |
> **Tip**
>
> If you are unsure, review three points before validating: the selected
> **Device Compatibility**, the **iOS Distribution Mode**, and the
> **Version / Build**. These are the fields most likely to block installation,
> Store submission, or update delivery later.
### Signature options
Once a distribution mode is selected, the **App Signature** section lets you choose how the IPA is signed.
[Image: IPA export form: Publish to the Apple App Store is selected, and the two App Signature choices are framed]
| Option | When to use it? | Requirements |
| ---------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Sign the application with your Apple Developer Program** | You are publishing on the App Store or distributing a signed iOS application with Ad Hoc / in-house deployment. | • Apple Developer account
• Provisioning profile matching the selected mode
• iOS `.p12` certificate + password
• App ID / Bundle ID |
| **Do not sign the IPA file** (expert) | You manage signing through your IT team, internal tooling, or CI pipeline. | Download an unsigned IPA and handle the full signing workflow yourself |
### Start the generation
Click **Export**.
The process takes place on our servers and can last **from a few minutes to several hours** depending on the load.
You will receive:
- A confirmation email;
- The download link on the **Mobile** card of your app page.
> **Success: What's next?**
>
> To publish on the App Store: follow the guide [Publish on the Apple App
> Store](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/publish-on-the-apple-app-store/). To
> send your build to Apple: use [Upload your IPA via
> Transporter](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/upload-your-ipa-via-transporter/).
> For private distribution: see the [Ad
> Hoc](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/deploy-your-ios-via-ad-hoc-distribution/)
> and [in-house](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/distribute-your-ios-app-in-hous/)
> guides.
## FAQ
**Can I install an unsigned IPA?**\
No, not directly. An IPA must be signed with the correct Apple assets before it can be installed on an iOS device.
**Which distribution mode should I choose between App Store, Ad Hoc, and in-house?**\
Choose **App Store** for public distribution, **Ad Hoc** for a limited number of registered devices, and **in-house** for internal distribution within an eligible organization.
**Do I need to export a new IPA if I change the certificate or provisioning profile?**\
Yes. If your signing assets change, you need to generate a new IPA with the updated files.
**Can I update content without exporting again if offline mode is enabled?**\
No. In offline mode, any content update requires generating and redistributing a new IPA.
## Additional resources
- [Publish and export your project](https://docs.pandasuite.com/getting-started/publish-and-export-your-project/)
- [Create your Apple Developer account](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/create-your-apple-developer-account/)
- [Generate an iOS certificate](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/generate-an-ios-certificate/)
- [Create an iOS provisioning profile](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/create-an-ios-provisioning-profile/)
- [Upload your IPA via Transporter](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/upload-your-ipa-via-transporter/)
- [Publish on the Apple App Store](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/ios/publish-on-the-apple-app-store/)