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.

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.

Prerequisites

• IPA export is only available on Single, Multi, or Full plans.
• Your project content is finalized and published.
• An 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 matching the selected distribution mode.
• An iOS certificate (.p12) 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 11.0
Supported devices	iPhone and iPad
Choices in the export form	iPhone, iPad, or both
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

1. Log in to your PandaSuite dashboard.
2. In Apps, create or select the relevant application.
3. Access the general screen.
4. Click on Export IPA.

Fill out the form

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.
Application 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.
Compatibility	Choose iPhone, iPad, or both. 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.
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.
Distribution mode	Select the delivery target for this IPA: • Publish on the Apple App Store for public release • Deploy in Ad Hoc mode for a limited set of registered devices • Distribute an in-house iOS app 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	If you are exporting a content hub, you can choose the logo displayed in the navigation bar. You can usually ignore this section for a standard single-app export.

Signature options

Option	When to use it?	Requirements
Sign with your Apple Developer account	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 / Manually sign (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 on Validate.

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 in the iOS / Android tab of your dashboard.

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
• Create your Apple Developer account
• Generate an iOS certificate
• Create an iOS provisioning profile
• Upload your IPA via Transporter
• Publish on the Apple App Store