编译和分发 IOS 应用程序是否需要物理 iPhone？

Question

I have a simple app (in Qt/C++) which compiles and runs great in the iphone simulator on my Mac. When I try to compile it (kit) for the IOS (non-simulator) I get a warning that my kit settings are incomplete.

Qt : In the Kit settings for IOS Qt insists on selecting a device - which I don't have. So the kit is incomplete, and I get compilation errors. (and Kit has a warning sign).
Apple : During compile I get an error that relates to missing IOS App Development Profile...but I plan to distribute so why does it want a development profile? I have a IOS App distribution profile.

I was hoping to build and test my app using simulator only, then distribute in apple store.

1. Do I need a physical iphone so Qt Creator Kit is happy?
2. Do I need a physical iphone so Apple can create and IOS App Development platform which is a prerequisite to compilation?

Answer 1

For anyone else in this situation, it seems that XCode needs a development profile to compile (regardless of whether or not you plan to distribute) for anything other than a simulator. Then, it needs a distribution profile if you want to distribute the app.

Since a development profile must include the Universal Device ID for at least one device, you need to add at least one device. (Or you need to get the UDID of a real apple device to create one). Once you have the development profile you can compile and distribute the app.

I could not find any way around this. (Note that if you are compiling for the simulator it will compile without the profile, BUT, the simulator UDID is refused as a valid device in the apple store connect)

Once XCode is happy then Qt is happy