Developer Tools

iOS Plist Generator

Generate the plist behind itms-services:// for over-the-air enterprise IPA installs

What is a plist file?

A plist (property list) is Apple’s configuration file format. Combined with the itms-services:// protocol, it lets an enterprise-signed IPA install over the air — the user taps the install link in Safari and the app installs, no App Store involved.

iOS 7 and later require the plist to be served over HTTPS before an install will start. The install link looks like this:

itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=https://your.server/app.plist
Field reference
  • App name: the name shown to the user during install
  • Version: something like 1.0.2; keep it in step with the IPA itself
  • Bundle ID: the app identifier, e.g. net.renfei.app; it has to match the certificate
  • IPA download URL: the full HTTPS URL of the IPA file
  • Icon URL: the full HTTPS URL of a PNG icon, 512×512px is a good size
Notes
  • Both the IPA and the plist have to be served over HTTPS
  • The enterprise certificate must be valid, or iOS refuses the install
  • Generated entirely in the browser — nothing is sent over the network