# 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:

| Name                                       | Type      | Description                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------ | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Payload                                    | Directory | This directory contains all the application data.                                                                                                                                                  |
| Payload/MyApp.app                          | Directory | [Bundle directory](https://0xn3va.gitbook.io/cheat-sheets/ios-application/app-data-files#bundle-container-structure).                                                                              |
| 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](https://0xn3va.gitbook.io/cheat-sheets/ios-application/deployment#provisioning-profiles) 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

* [Bundle Programming Guide: Bundle Structures](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/BundleTypes/BundleTypes.html)
* [iOS Testing Guide: Platform Overview](https://mobile-security.gitbook.io/mobile-security-testing-guide/ios-testing-guide/0x06a-platform-overview)