How to generate a .ipa file from Expo build and sideload on to real device?

Question

I'm developing a mobile app for my final year project in university using React Native and Expo . I was able to generate a .apk file using expo build:android and then selecting the 'apk' option. I could then download that.apk file on to real android devices to test the app.

I want to do the same thing for iOS. When I ran expo build:ios I selected the 'simulator' option and I was able to download a.app file. When I tried to airdrop this to my iPhone I could either choose to open it in the App Store or else my files but neither worked - I'm pretty sure it needs to be a .ipa file for it to be sideloaded.

I tried choosing the 'archive' option but it was asking for an Apple Developer login - which I don't have.

As this is only a final year university project, I do not want to enroll as an Apple Developer or anything like that - I just simply want to generate an .ipa file from expo so I can send it to my friends to test on their phones to get feedback.

Thanks in advance.

---

Answer 1

1. Generate.ipa file by running expo build:ios
2. Download.ipa file from your expo account projects.
3. Upload downloaded.ipa file to Diawi .
4. Send the link to testers ei yourself

Note

The client device or tester device UUID should be added in trusted device or device list on Apple appstore only then they will able to install the application.