Application Package

iOS apps are distributed in IPA (iOS App Store Package) archives. The IPA file is a ZIP-compressed archive that contains all the code and resources required to execute the app.

At a high level, the IPA file has the following structure:

NameTypeDescription

Payload

Directory

This directory contains all the application data.

Payload/MyApp.app

Directory

Payload/MyApp.app/MyApp

File

This file contains the application's executable code

Payload/MyApp.app/embedded.mobileprovision

File

This plist file contains the provisioning profile for an application.

Payload/MyApp.app/Info.plist

File

This file is the manifest of the iOS application.

iTunesArtwork

File

PNG image used as the application's icon

iTunesMetadata.plist

File

This file contains various bits of information, including the developer's name and ID, the bundle identifier, copyright information, genre, the name of the app, release date, purchase date, etc.

WatchKitSupport/WK

Directory

This specific bundle contains the extension delegate and the controllers for managing the interfaces and responding to user interactions on an Apple Watch.

META-INF

Directory

This directory contains metadata about what program was used to create the IPA.

References

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