IOS Release

iOS Release

Build and prepare iOS app for TestFlight/App Store.

Critical Warning

NEVER use yarn tauri ios dev or yarn tauri ios dev --open for archiving!

• dev creates a DEBUG build pointing to localhost:1420 (Vite dev server)
• Installing from TestFlight will show blank screen (no dev server on device)
• Always use yarn tauri ios build (release mode by default)

1. Gather Info

Ask user for:

• Version number (x.x.x) - or keep current if re-uploading
• If re-uploading same version: need to bump build number only

2. Update Version/Build Number

New version release: Use /bump-version workflow to update all config files.

Re-uploading same version (e.g., fixing previous bad build): Only bump the build number in tauri.conf.json:

{
  "bundle": {
    "iOS": {
      "bundleVersion": "2"
    }
  }
}

Note: Do NOT edit files in gen/apple/ directly - they get regenerated. Use tauri.conf.json.

3. Setup Share Extension (Conditional)

Only required after running yarn tauri ios init (regenerates apple folder).

Skip if Share Extension is already configured. To check:

ls decentpaste-app/src-tauri/gen/apple/ShareExtension/

If missing, run:

cd decentpaste-app && ./tauri-plugin-decentshare/scripts/setup-ios-share-extension.sh

4. Fix Share Extension Version Mismatch

After version bumps, the Share Extension's MARKETING_VERSION in the Xcode project may be out of sync with the main app. Check for this warning during build:

warning: The CFBundleShortVersionString of an app extension ('X.X.X') must match that of its containing parent app ('Y.Y.Y').

To fix, update the Share Extension's version in the Xcode project file:

# Replace OLD_VERSION with the outdated version, NEW_VERSION with current app version
sed -i '' 's/MARKETING_VERSION = OLD_VERSION;/MARKETING_VERSION = NEW_VERSION;/g' \
  decentpaste-app/src-tauri/gen/apple/decentpaste-app.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj

Example: sed -i '' 's/MARKETING_VERSION = 0.4.2;/MARKETING_VERSION = 0.5.0;/g' ...

Why this happens: The /bump-version workflow updates tauri.conf.json, but the Share Extension's version lives in gen/apple/ which doesn't get auto-updated.

5. Build & Open Xcode

Ask user to run this in a separate terminal (long-running):

cd decentpaste-app && yarn tauri ios build --open

This command:

1. Builds the frontend in production mode (bundles assets)
2. Opens Xcode project when frontend build completes

IMPORTANT: Wait for yarn tauri ios build to complete before archiving in Xcode. The build compiles the frontend assets that get bundled into the iOS app. If you archive before it finishes, you may get an incomplete or broken build.

The actual iOS compilation and archiving happens in Xcode (next step).

6. Archive & Upload in Xcode

User performs in Xcode:

1. Select scheme: decentpaste-app_iOS
2. Select destination: Any iOS Device (arm64)
3. Menu: Product → Archive (or ⇧⌘A)
4. Wait for archive (~5-15 min)
5. In Organizer: Distribute App → App Store Connect → Upload
6. Check "Upload your app's symbols"
7. Use automatic signing
8. Click Upload

Alternative: Full CLI with IPA

Build everything via CLI (no Xcode GUI needed):

cd decentpaste-app && yarn tauri ios build --export-method app-store-connect

IPA location: src-tauri/gen/apple/build/arm64/DecentPaste.ipa

Upload via Transporter app (free from Mac App Store) or xcrun altool with API keys.

7. Verify Production Build

To confirm the archive is a production build (not dev):

# Check for Vite-hashed asset filenames in binary (production indicator)
ARCHIVE=$(ls -td ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives/**/*.xcarchive 2>/dev/null | head -1)
strings "$ARCHIVE/Products/Applications/DecentPaste.app/DecentPaste" | grep -E "/assets/index-[A-Za-z0-9]+\.(js|css)"

Production build: Shows hashed filenames like /assets/index-BauF9ln8.css Dev build: No hashed assets (would only show localhost:1420)

Note: localhost:1420 appearing in strings is normal (embedded config) - check for hashed assets.

8. TestFlight Configuration

After upload completes (~5-15 min processing):

1. Go to App Store Connect → TestFlight
2. Select the new build
3. Fill Test Information (what to test)
4. Answer Export Compliance (DecentPaste uses encryption → Yes, but exempt)
5. For external testers: Wait for Beta App Review (~24-48h)

9. Report

Report: version updated, build number, build verified as production, upload status.

Key Files

Troubleshooting

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