--- description: Create and install an IPA on an iOS device directly from Capawesome Cloud. Use the install button or QR code to ship test builds without TestFlight. title: Install an IPA on an iOS Device - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/cloud/native-builds/guides/install-ipa-on-ios-device.png --- [ Skip to content](#install-an-ipa-on-an-ios-device) [ 🎉 Introducing **Capawesome Platform** — one platform for Live Updates, Native Builds, App Store Publishing, and Insider SDKs.](https://capawesome.io) * [ Formbricks ](/docs/plugins/formbricks/) * [ Geocoder ](/docs/plugins/geocoder/) * [ Google Sign-In ](/docs/plugins/google-sign-in/) * [ Grafana Faro ](/docs/plugins/grafana-faro/) * [ libSQL ](/docs/plugins/libsql/) * [ Live Update ](/docs/plugins/live-update/) * [ Managed Configurations ](/docs/plugins/managed-configurations/) * [ Media Session ](/docs/plugins/media-session/) * [ ML Kit ](/docs/plugins/mlkit/) * [ Navigation Bar ](/docs/plugins/navigation-bar/) * [ NFC ](/docs/plugins/nfc/) * [ OAuth ](/docs/plugins/oauth/) * [ Pedometer ](/docs/plugins/pedometer/) * [ Photo Editor ](/docs/plugins/photo-editor/) * [ PostHog ](/docs/plugins/posthog/) * [ Printer ](/docs/plugins/printer/) * [ Purchases ](/docs/plugins/purchases/) * [ RealtimeKit ](/docs/plugins/realtimekit/) * [ Screen Orientation ](/docs/plugins/screen-orientation/) * [ Screenshot ](/docs/plugins/screenshot/) * [ Secure Preferences ](/docs/plugins/secure-preferences/) * [ Speech Recognition ](/docs/plugins/speech-recognition/) * [ Speech Synthesis ](/docs/plugins/speech-synthesis/) * [ Share Target ](/docs/plugins/share-target/) * [ Square Mobile Payments ](/docs/plugins/square-mobile-payments/) * [ SQLite ](/docs/plugins/sqlite/) * [ Superwall ](/docs/plugins/superwall/) * [ Torch ](/docs/plugins/torch/) * [ Wifi ](/docs/plugins/wifi/) * [ Zip ](/docs/plugins/zip/) * [ Cloud ](/docs/cloud/) * [ Live Updates ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/) * Advanced * Integrations * [ Native Builds ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/) * [ Configuration ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/configuration/) * [ Environments ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/environments/) * Guides * [ Create the Build ](#create-the-build) * [ Install the App ](#install-the-app) * [ Sample Projects ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/sample-projects/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/troubleshooting/) * [ Automations ](/docs/cloud/automations/) * [ Assist ](/docs/cloud/assist/) * Account * Organizations * [ Organization and User Management ](/docs/cloud/organizations/memberships/) * [ Single Sign-On (SSO) ](/docs/cloud/organizations/sso/) * [ Teams ](/docs/cloud/organizations/teams/) * [ Two-Factor Authentication ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ Webhooks ](/docs/cloud/webhooks/) * [ Pricing ](https://capawesome.io/pricing/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/faq/) * [ Support ](/docs/cloud/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * [ LLMs ](/docs/llms/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/insiders/support/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories * [ Create the Build ](#create-the-build) * [ Install the App ](#install-the-app) # Install an IPA on an iOS Device[¶](#install-an-ipa-on-an-ios-device "Permanent link") With [Capawesome Cloud](/), you can install an IPA directly on a physical iOS device — similar to how it works in platforms like Loadly or Diawi. All you need to do is create a signed build and scan a QR code or tap a download link. For **Development** and **Ad Hoc** builds, you also need to register your device in the Apple Developer account first. This guide walks you through the entire process using Capawesome Cloud and your iOS device. ![Install App dialog for iOS in Capawesome Cloud](/docs/assets/images/screenshots/cloud-install-app-ios.png) ## Register the Device[¶](#register-the-device "Permanent link") For **Development** and **Ad Hoc** builds, your iOS device must be registered in the [Apple Developer](https://developer.apple.com/) account and assigned to the provisioning profile used to sign the app. **Enterprise** builds do not require device registration and can be installed on any device. Enterprise Builds If you are using an **Enterprise** build type, you can skip this section and proceed directly to [Create the Build](#create-the-build). ### Find the Device UDID[¶](#find-the-device-udid "Permanent link") Every iOS device has a unique identifier (UDID) that is required for device registration. You can find your device's UDID using the [iOS UDID Finder](/tools/ios-udid-finder/) tool. ### Register the Device in Apple Developer Portal[¶](#register-the-device-in-apple-developer-portal "Permanent link") Once you have the UDID, register the device in the Apple Developer portal: 1. Sign in to [Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles](https://developer.apple.com/account/resources). 2. Click **Devices** in the sidebar. 3. Click the **add button** (+) in the top left. 4. Select the **platform** (e.g. iOS). 5. Enter a **device name** (e.g. "Robin's iPhone 16"). 6. Enter the **UDID**. 7. Click **Continue**, then **Register**. Device Limit Apple limits the number of registered devices to 100 per product family (iPhone, iPad, etc.) per membership year. Disabling a device does not free up a slot. ### Update the Provisioning Profile[¶](#update-the-provisioning-profile "Permanent link") If the device is not yet included in your provisioning profile, you need to update it: 1. Sign in to [Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles](https://developer.apple.com/account/resources). 2. Click **Profiles** in the sidebar. 3. Select the provisioning profile you want to update. 4. Click **Edit**. 5. In the **Devices** step, check the newly registered device. 6. Click **Save** to regenerate the profile. 7. **Download** the updated provisioning profile. 8. Re-upload the updated profile to [Capawesome Cloud](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/). Old Provisioning Profile Builds signed with the old provisioning profile will not include the new device. You must re-upload the updated profile and create a new build. ## Create the Build[¶](#create-the-build "Permanent link") To install an IPA on a physical device, you need a signed build with the correct build type and signing certificate. 1. Navigate to the [Builds](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/apps/%5F/builds) page of your app in Capawesome Cloud. 2. Click on the **Build from Git** button. 3. Select the **Git reference** (branch, tag, or commit) you want to build from. 4. Select **iOS** as the platform. 5. Select **Development**, **Ad Hoc**, or **Enterprise** as the build type. 6. Select a signing certificate that matches the chosen build type and has a provisioning profile with the device registered: * For **Development** builds, use a **Development** certificate. * For **Ad Hoc** builds, use a **Distribution** certificate (typically configured as **Production** in Capawesome Cloud) with an Ad Hoc provisioning profile. * For **Enterprise** builds, use an **Enterprise distribution** certificate (typically configured as **Production** in Capawesome Cloud) with an enterprise provisioning profile. 7. Click on **Build** to start the build process. Wait for the build to complete. You can monitor the build progress on the build details page. For more detailed instructions on creating builds and uploading signing certificates, refer to the [Getting Started](/docs/cloud/native-builds/setup/) guide and the [iOS Signing Certificates](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/ios/) documentation. ## Install the App[¶](#install-the-app "Permanent link") Once the build is complete, you can install the IPA on your device: 1. Open the build details page in Capawesome Cloud. 2. Click the **Install App** button. 3. Scan the **QR code** with your iOS device or tap the **Download** button if you are already on your device. 4. The app will be installed on your device. May 7, 2026 Back to top