In one of the BetaBuilder posts, one of the commenters reminded me that while you can customize your BetaBuilder HTML template, it’s not really documented well (or at all).
Customization is pretty simple: just edit the ‘index_template.html’ file in BetaBuilder’s Application Support folder. You’ll find a file with a few simple tags that are used for substitution when building the HTML.
If you customize your HTML file and a future version of BetaBuilder also includes updates, such as for new features, you’ll be prompted to replace your file for the update. It’s up to you to save it off and reconcile those changes.
Any questions? Fire off in the comments.
Comments
16 Comments so far. Leave a comment below.Please forgive me, I’m a total noob and am about to ask some dumb questions.
One thing it seems is a great advantage to BetaBuilder is that it allows you to host the ipa yourself, and therefore customize the look of the download page. Something neither TestFlight or HockeyApp really let you do.
I have an app that I’ve installed using Hockeynet and it works great, but really want to host it myself instead. I can generate the deployment files just fine, uploads great, the page works. I click on the “Tap Here to Install” and I get the push message to Install, but then as it starts to install I get an error.
Unable to Download Application “” could not be downloaded at this time.
I added the MIME types text/xml for .plist, and application/octet-stream for .ipa to my server… but is there something else I need to do to make it work?
Sorry if that’s annoying, and I cross my fingers I’ll understand your answer.
Thanks! Love the app!
I have my own webhosting service, and have some good controls. I ge
Unfortunately we don’t get very good error messages from the device.
The most common cause of this problem is improper provisioning – i.e. your provisioning profile that’s embedded into this build doesn’t have the right devices specified. When you used HockeyApp, did you use the same build or are you using a different build here?
I followed directions but ran into an issue. I can install my iphone app on My iPhone from a web page. But other testers can’t install the app from the web page. Starts ok then fails at the end.
I’m assuming its related to the provisioning file. My device is listed in the provisioning file. How can I have others install the app with adding them to the provisioning file?
Each device that you want to enable for testing must be added to your developer account and the provisioning profile via the iOS Developer Center.
typo: should be: WITHOUT adding them to provisioning file?
A third party company we were working with had a URL available where I could download a beta version of our app and I never provided my device UDID. I need to setup a similar web page for beta testers to download the app without providing there UDID. Any idea how it can be done?
I believe some systems use a configuration profile to pull your device ID and then perhaps re-sign the binary on the server… Also, the enterprise developer program uses a somewhat similar method, though I don’t believe that the AEDP technically allows you to distribute things that way, based on the rules.
Do not see Betabuilder in the Application Support folder. Did a spotlight search and could not find index_template.html. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
You’ve launched the app previously? Those files are created on first launch.
On my system: ~/Library/Application Support/BetaBuilder for iOS Apps
Working fine. Perfect! Thanks for creating this tool.
I am having problems with the install on the device. It seems to not be installing the provisioning profile, so the install fails. However, when I manual install the provisioning profile on the device and then click on the link, it will install. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?
I’d check a few things:
1. Make sure the profile you’re building into your IPA is the right one. Xcode sometimes will select the wrong one, especially if you have more than one / older versions. I’d recommend removing any older expired versions and then restarting Xcode. Do a clean and then produce a build that you know has the right profile.
2. Make sure the device doesn’t have any older versions of the same profile installed. I’ve seen devices get ‘confused’ when they have two or more versions of the same profile installed, especially if one is expired.
My guess is that it’s #1 or something along those lines. Verifying you have a good IPA is the first step.
Here are my code signings in Xcode-
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/8880/screenshot20130313at113.png
Once I Archive, I am selecting the same profile –
http://imageshack.us/a/img689/8880/screenshot20130313at113.png
Here is the notification that I receive on the iPad – Unable to Download Application “CCO iPhone” could not be installed at this time.
If I connect the iPad to Xcode and manually install that same profile from above, then press on the same link to install, it works. I’m very confused
I’m really hoping I can figure this out. I currently use TestFlight but I love the concept of your program and I really want the flexibility to be able to use this on my own website and customize the HTML. I appreciate your help.
Have you tried removing all of the profiles from the device first (Settings -> General -> Profiles)?
Also, when you get the error message, the device’s console should give more information. What does it say? That’s a generic Springboard error message that covers all manners of sins.
Finally got it to work! That did the trick. I removed all profiles and then did a refresh of profiles in Xcode. Thank you so much for your help. You have a great tool here!
Excellent!