[installation] Install IPA with iTunes 12

I have an IPA signed for ad-hoc distribution. I can install it fine with Flash Builder. I'd like to install a release version via iTunes 12, though. Dragging it onto:

• The device name
• The app section
• The app list
• The Home Screens section

...does not work? Does anyone have any idea how to do this with the new iTunes 12?

Do not use any service similar to https://www.diawi.com/ as it can potentially have huge security implications. Using this kind of process and with some clever coding skills, a third party can inject extra stuff in you application. And they are basically charging you for something that you can do yourself.

In iTunes 12.7.x, it is still possible to install an ipa directly on a device with a simple drag-n-drop. Look at @ganesh ubale' solution here or the other answers at https://stackoverflow.com/a/46520816/609862 or https://stackoverflow.com/a/46229114/609862.

The Apple developer web site also have detailed information about how to configure a web site for installing an IPA wirelessly (by simply sharing the download link).

I found a solution for Windows users. All the other solutions i tried didn't work for Windows.

I have been searching about the same problem for a few days. iTunes make obligation to update itself to iTunes newer version for ios 11 phones and iTunes 12.7 version doesn't have apps section so i couldn't download anymore my ad hoc app ipa file and provision files to iPhone.

I just found out that there is an iTunes version (12.6.3) Apple published which won’t be prompted to download new versions of iTunes and you can use this version to download your app. You can dowload it from this link: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208079

Apple say if you have a newer version of iTunes you can just download this one over it but I couldn't do it like this. First, I removed iTunes from my computer, then I removed the iTunes folder from my musics folder (you probably don't need to do that) and I downloaded iTunes for 64 bit PC from the link I wrote above. And with this iTunes i can use Apps section again and it doesn't force me to update it. So it works like the good old times.

From iTunes 12.7 apple removes App Store, So we unable to for find App option

We have another way to install iOS app using iTunes 12.7 as below

1)drag and drop your .app file to iTunes.

2)It will create .ipa file, you can find that at ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Mobile Applications/

3)connect the device you want to install that app.

4)drag .ipa file from finder to iTunes on my Device section as shown in below section.

For iTunes 12.7.0 and above, you just need to Cmd+c your app and Cmd+v into your device on iTunes. Any tab works, including Summary, Music, Movies.

iTunes 12.7 ( Xcode needed )

You cannot install a release ipa directly on your device. Ipa generated withAppStore Distribution Profile requires to be distributed from App Store or TestFlight. However, I found that app panel was removed even for installing ad hoc ipa from iTunes 12.7. I found a workaround to install ad-hoc apps which might help to them who cannot install even ad hoc ipa. Please follow the instructions below,

1. Connect your device
2. Open Xcode and go to Window -> Devices
3. Select the connected device from left panel
4. Brows the IPA from Installed Apps -> + button
5. Wait few seconds and its done!

For newest iTunes 12.7 and above can easily install IPA by copy and paste

1. Select and copy your .ipa (cmd+c or ctrl+c)
2. Connect phone to laptop
3. Open iTunes and select your device tab on top left of iTunes
4. Select the music tab
5. Paste the ipa (cmd+v or ctrl+v) not drag

Tested on iTunes 12.5.3.17

1.Open the iTunes select the “Apps” section with in that select the “Library”

2.Now drag and drop the file AppName.ipa in this Library section (Before connecting your iOS device to your computer machine)

3.Now connect your iOS device to your computer machine, we are able to see our device in iTunes…

4.Select your device go to “Apps” section of your device and search your App in the list of apps with "Install" button infront of it.

5.Now hit the “Install” button and then press the “Done” button in bottom right corner, The “Install” button will turn in to “Will Install” one alert will be shown to you with two options “Don’t Apply”, “Apply”, hit on option “Apply”.

6.The “App installation” will start on your device with progress….

7.Finally the app will be installed on your iOS device and you will be able to use it…

I just reset the device (erase all settings) and sync up with iTunes and now I can drag the app over to the phone library on iTunes (even though there is no apps tab). Once you sync. the app is then on the phone.

Note : If you are using iTunes 12.7.0 or above then use Solution 2 else use Solution 1. Solution 1 cannot be used with iTunes 12.7.0 or above since Apps section has been removed from iTunes by Apple

Solution 1 : Using iTunes 12.7 below

Tested on iTunes 12 with Mac OS X (Yosemite) 10.10.3

Also, tested on iTunes 12.3.2.35 with Mac OX X (El Capitan) 10.11.3

This process also applicable for iTunes 12.5.5 with Mac OS X (macOS Sierra) 10.12.3.

You can install IPA file using iTunes 12.x onto device using below steps :

1. Drag-and-drop IPA file into 'Apps' tab of iTunes BEFORE you connect the device.
2. Connect your device
3. Select your device on iTunes
4. Select 'Apps' tab

5. Search app that you want to install

6. Click on 'Install' button. This will change to 'Will Install'

7. Click on 'Apply' button on right corner. This will initiate process of app installation. You can see status on top of iTunes as well as app on device.

8. You can allow new apps to install automatically by enabling checkmark present at bottom.

Solution 2 : Using iTunes 12.7 and above

You can use diawi for this purpose.

1. Open https://www.diawi.com/ in desktop/system browser

2. Drag-and-drop IPA file in empty window. Make sure that last check mark are unselected (recommended due to security concern)

3. Once the upload is completed then press Send button

4. This will generate a link and QR code as well. (You can share this link and QR code with Client)

5. Now open Safari browser in iPhone device and enter this link (Note that link is case-sensitive) OR You can scan the QR using Bakodo iOS app

6. Once link is loaded you can see app details

7. Now select ‘Install application’

8. This will prompt an alert asking permission for installation. Press on Install.

9. Now you can see the app installation begins on screen.

I don't remember this being very difficult with iTunes 12, but at least for iTunes 12.8 (and likely for the previous couple of minor versions also) it's pretty straightforward even though the Apps button is not there, as demonstrated in the below two steps:

1. While your device is connected to your laptop/desktop click the device icon on iTunes 12.8:

2. Drag your .ipa file from Finder or Desktop and drop it into the "On My Device" area.

Wait for the sync to finish and the app is on your device!

Edit: See Jayprakash Dubey's answer for iTunes 12.7

From the menu shown in the following screenshot, choose Apps. You can drag and drop you IPA file in the next view.

After that, go to your device's page, you'll see the list of apps, install your app and press Apply from the bottom bar.

In my case Drag & Drop didn't work.

1. I had to first Sync iTunes with the iOS device (Sync button on the bottom right)
2. I had to add the IPA file through iTunes menu bar: File -> Add to Library...
3. I had to press the "Install" button for my app in the "Apps" screen
4. I had to press the "Apply" button on the bottom right

IPA file are generally executable file for iOS app. Approach used to install IPA in iTunes 12 is different as compared to lower versions.

Simply, add IPA file into iTunes library and search for IPA in apps section of connected device. Click on install and Apply.

For iTunes 12.9.5.5 and above you can install the apps by Copying the IPA file and Paste it (Cmd+V or Edit -> Paste in iTunes) in any categories as Music/Films/TV Programmes etc. The app will be installed automatically on your iPhone screen.

Tested on 29 Nov 2019.

Demo:

Since iTunes 12.7 doesn't have "Application" section so it can't be done. As a workaround I've found this answer.

I simply installed "Apple Configurator 2". Than:

1. Run application
2. Connect device
3. Unlock device
4. Drag IPA file to visualisation of device in "Apple Configurator 2"
5. Confirm action

I didn't had to "sign in" as described in on linked question answers

For the macOS Catalina 10.15.3 and onwards iTunes is no longer present in the system. all iTunes contents are added in Finder itself. So instead, open Music app and drag drop IPA as mentioned below.