--- description: Install Android (APK) and iOS (IPA) builds from Capawesome Cloud directly on a physical device using the Install App button or a QR code. title: Install a Build on a Device - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/cloud/native-builds/install-on-device.png --- [ Skip to content](#install-on-a-device) [ πŸ” Introducing the **Capacitor Vault** plugin β€” store secrets behind biometrics or a device passcode.](/blog/announcing-the-capacitor-vault-plugin/) * [ SDKs ](/docs/sdks/) * [ Formbricks ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/formbricks/) * [ Geocoder ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/geocoder/) * [ Google Sign-In ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/google-sign-in/) * [ Grafana Faro ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/grafana-faro/) * [ libSQL ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/libsql/) * [ Live Update ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/live-update/) * [ Managed Configurations ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/managed-configurations/) * [ Media Session ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/media-session/) * [ ML Kit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/mlkit/) * [ Navigation Bar ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/navigation-bar/) * [ NFC ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/nfc/) * [ OAuth ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/oauth/) * [ Pedometer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pedometer/) * [ Photo Editor ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/photo-editor/) * [ PostHog ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/posthog/) * [ Printer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/printer/) * [ Purchases ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/purchases/) * [ RealtimeKit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/realtimekit/) * [ Screen Orientation ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screen-orientation/) * [ Screenshot ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screenshot/) * [ Secure Preferences ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/secure-preferences/) * [ Speech Recognition ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-recognition/) * [ Speech Synthesis ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-synthesis/) * [ Share Target ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/share-target/) * [ Square Mobile Payments ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/square-mobile-payments/) * [ SQLite ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/sqlite/) * [ Superwall ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/superwall/) * [ Torch ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/torch/) * [ Vault ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/vault/) * [ Wifi ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/wifi/) * [ Zip ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/zip/) * [ Cordova ](/docs/sdks/cordova/) * [ Cloud ](/docs/cloud/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/integrations/) * Concepts * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/faq/) * [ Native Builds ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/) * [ Set Up Signing Certificates ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/) * [ Set Up Environments ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/environments/) * [ Overwrite Native Configurations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/native-configurations/) * [ Auto-Increment Build Numbers ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/auto-incrementing-build-numbers/) * [ Configure the Web Build Script ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/web-build-script/) * [ Build from a Monorepo ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/monorepo/) * [ Use pnpm or Yarn ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/package-managers/) * [ Install Private npm Packages ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/npm-private-registry/) * [ Override the Java Version ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/override-java-version/) * [ Custom iOS Provisioning Profiles ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/custom-ios-provisioning-profiles/) * [ Build without Git ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-without-git/) * [ Access Git Behind a Firewall ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/firewall-access/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/integrations/) * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/faq/) * [ App Store Publishing ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/) * [ Submit a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-a-build/) * [ Submit Automatically After a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-automatically/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/faq/) * [ Automations ](/docs/cloud/automations/) * [ Reference ](/docs/cloud/automations/reference/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/automations/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/automations/faq/) * [ Assist ](/docs/cloud/assist/) * [ CLI ](/docs/cloud/cli/) * APIs and SDKs * [ Webhooks ](/docs/cloud/webhooks/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * Account * [ Organization ](/docs/cloud/organizations/) * [ Two-Factor Enforcement ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Audit Logs ](/docs/cloud/organizations/audit-logs/) * [ Billing ](/docs/cloud/organizations/billing/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ AI ](/docs/ai/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ Billing & Plans ](/docs/insiders/billing-and-plans/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * Contributing code * [ Code of Conduct ](/docs/contributing/code-of-conduct/) * [ Questions ](https://docs.github.com/en/discussions/collaborating-with-your-community-using-discussions/participating-in-a-discussion#creating-a-discussion) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories # Install on a Device[ΒΆ](#install-on-a-device "Permanent link") With [Capawesome Cloud](/) you can install a build directly on a physical device β€” no app store required β€” by scanning a QR code or tapping a download link, similar to platforms like Loadly or Diawi. After a build completes, open its detail page and click **Install App** to get the QR code and download link. The exact requirements differ by platform. ## Android[ΒΆ](#android "Permanent link") ![Install App dialog for Android in Capawesome Cloud](/docs/assets/images/screenshots/cloud-install-app-android.png) Create an Android build (**Debug** for quick testing, or **Release** which requires a [signing certificate](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/android/)). Then, to install an APK from outside the Play Store, allow installations from unknown sources: Android 8.0 and laterAndroid 7.x and earlier 1. Open **Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Special app access β†’ Install unknown apps**. 2. Select the app you'll use to download the APK (e.g. **Chrome**). 3. Enable **Allow from this source**. The exact path varies by manufacturer (on Samsung: **Settings β†’ Biometrics and security β†’ Install unknown apps**). Open **Settings β†’ Security** and enable **Unknown sources**. Then open the build's detail page, click **Install App**, scan the QR code (or tap **Download** on the device), and open the downloaded APK to install. Google Play Protect Play Protect may warn that the app is from an unknown developer. You can dismiss the warning to proceed β€” this is normal for side-loaded apps. ## iOS[ΒΆ](#ios "Permanent link") ![Install App dialog for iOS in Capawesome Cloud](/docs/assets/images/screenshots/cloud-install-app-ios.png) Installing an iOS build on a device requires a **signed build** whose provisioning profile includes the device. 1. **Register the device.** Find your device's UDID (you can use the [iOS UDID Finder](https://capawesome.io/tools/ios-udid-finder/)) and add it to your Apple Developer account, then include it in the provisioning profile used for the build. See [iOS Signing Certificates](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/ios/). 2. **Create a signed build.** Trigger an iOS build with the **Development** or **Ad Hoc** [build type](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-types/) and the matching [signing certificate](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/ios/) and provisioning profile. (A **Simulator** build runs only in the iOS Simulator, not on a device.) 3. **Install.** Open the build's detail page, click **Install App**, and scan the QR code with the registered device or tap **Download** on the device to install. ## Next steps[ΒΆ](#next-steps "Permanent link") * [Build types](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-types/) β€” which type to pick for testing vs distribution. * [Submit to the App Store or Play Store](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/) β€” for store distribution instead of side-loading. June 8, 2026 Back to top