Question, I'm just starting to dabble in XCode. I have an app in an .ipa file and wanted to know if there is a way to unzip the ipa so I can look inside the files that created the app?
I tried to do this in X Code and it gives me ( I would think its the developers id screen with the folders inside the payload only)
Is this even possible to open to see inside ( codes )?
RD
Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2), Mac Pro 8 Core
An .ipa file is a zip-file. You can open it by renaming it's extension to zip. But as Michael said, you will not be able to see how the app works without the source code and this is not part of the zip-file.
It contains some more or less interesting stuff like e.g. resources.
An .ipa file is a zip-file. You can open it by renaming it's extension to zip. But as Michael said, you will not be able to see how the app works without the source code and this is not part of the zip-file.
It contains some more or less interesting stuff like e.g. resources.
"I just did a little checking"
Not enough. An ipa is, precisely, a zip file.
The patronizing tone about windows and changing extensions, by the way, is ridiculous. Apple moved away from creator and type codes and now uses extensions for default applications. Changing IPA to ZIP effectively lets you double click and uncompress the file (the format, obviously, is never changed, nor did anyone imply it was.
An .ipa is *NOT* like an .app bundle.
Yes a .ipa is nothing more than a zip file.
Back in the day, way back in 2008 2009 early 2010 et... lol, you had to manually create them for distribution.
All you need to do is create a folder called "Payload" (note the capital "P") copy your ios app to it and compress. Then you simply change the extention to .ipa
If you want to include the itunes artwork in the .ipa, copy you art to the same folder as "PayLoad" and rename your artwork file to "iTunesArtWork" then compress and rename .zip to .ipa
It's been quite a while since I had to do it manually, but I think the iTunesArtWork file does not get an extention. You'll have to try it make sure.
.ipa file in binary file contain source code for iOS application in binary format
Well, I don't have my Mac with me a the moment, but it's not true that OS X doesn't care what extension a file has.
If you change the extension to zip, than right (control)-click that file and select "Open With" you will see each app, wich pretends it can handle .zip-files.
There's no need to open it with a texteditor.
I just did a little checking.
An .ipa is an iOS package just like .app is an OS X package.
You can open an .ipa in TextWrangler and look at each individual resource within the bundle.
So it's not a zip. Remember, this isn't Windows where changing a file's extension changes the program that opens the file.
OS X doesn't care what the extension is. It remember where the file came from no matter what you name the file.
Have you ever renamed an .ipa file to <something>.zip and opened it? If not, give it a try. :-)
Hi,
So, is it or is it not possible to access the source code from the ipa file??
I have the same problem: a third-party developed my app, but he sent me only the ipa file. Now I can't get it to upload to the App Store because it wasn't zipped from my Xcode (that certification crap).
Any suggestions??
Beat on the developer to deliver the source.
Delivery of the source should be in the contract you have with them and payment should be dependent on successful completion of the contract.
good luck
regards
The sourcecode is not contained in the ipa-file. You can open an ipa file (see above), but all it contains is the binary and some resources like images, sound or fonts or whatever. (and some other more or less useless (for your current needs) files)
If you need the source, you need to contact your developer. And I strongly agree with Frank. You should always make sure that delivery of the source is part of the contract.
If you just want to sign the ipa with your own certificate you may take a look at: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5160863/how-to-re-sign-the-ipa-file
Dirk
Hi, I know my limitations and changed the .ipa to .zip. I have screenshots but it's easy enough to say that the converted file opened as a zip file with a .1 attached. Upon opening the .1 file it became a .2 file! My question is "what application does Mac have already installed to open ipa files?"
I am not at all comfortable using TERMINAL to adjust anything. Please advise and as always, thanks for your help.
An .ipa file is a binary file.
You need the source code to see how the app works.
An .ipa is not a zip file. It's the executable that runs under iOS.
Yes i have opened plenty app by changing a .ipa to a .zip it does work then you have to find the payload folder then right click it and choose "Show Packege Contents" wala you are in the app
Opening an .ipa file
