Distributing Your iOS App from Your Website: A Comprehensive Guide
Configure your app and website to enable people to install your app on their devices from your website.
In regions where eligibility criteria are met, you have the option to share authorized, non-marketplace applications through your website. To proceed with distributing your application, complete a webform detailing the requirements. Upon approval, Apple will provide you with a framework for securely installing your application from your website.
Synchronize with App Store Connect by furnishing your website domain and a public key utilized by iOS for validating your app installations. After submitting your app and successfully passing review, App Store Connect grants you access to your approved app’s alternative distribution package. For further details, refer to the guidelines on Submitting for Notarization.
Set up a web server and adjust your website to include a link to your app, which you host on your server. To prepare your app for installation, download and compile a comprehensive alternative distribution package using the provided ID from App Store Connect; refer to the instructions on Incorporating an Alternative Distribution Package. Incorporate a Download button on your webpage that directs to the alternative distribution package. The assigned URL for the button employs a customized scheme, interpreted differently by browsers, directing them to furnish iOS with your app’s alternative distribution package for installation on the device.
Availability
Alternative app marketplaces are available in Xcode 15.3 and iOS 17.4 and later. To enable web distribution of other apps, use Xcode 15.4 beta or later and iOS 17.5 beta 2 or later. For more information, see Xcode support.
Request approval to distribute your app
Every application undergoes a consistent procedure for web-based alternative distribution and is subject to approval by Apple, although the approval process varies depending on the type of application.
For apps intended for marketplace distribution, refer to the guidelines outlined in “Getting started as an alternative app marketplace in the European Union.” For other types of applications, consult “Getting started with Web Distribution in the EU.” In either scenario, you are required to sign the Alternative EU Terms Addendum to the Developer Program License Agreement.
Upon signing the addendum, App Store Connect initiates the provision of an alternative distribution package for your application. You are responsible for hosting this alternative distribution package on your website and utilizing it for installing your application on iOS devices.
Set up your app for alternative distribution
Distributing your app on the web requires one-time setup with App Store Connect. First, define the domain where you distribute the app by calling the alternative
endpoint:
POST https://api.appstoreconnect.apple.com/v1/alternativeDistributionDomains
For more information about the request’s parameters, see Add an alternative distribution domain.
Submit your app and host it on your web server
When you’re prepared to distribute your application, submit it to App Store Connect for evaluation. Select the type of review:
App Store This is for a binary that you plan to distribute via the web, as well as through marketplace apps like the App Store.
Notarization This is for an app intended for distribution outside of the App Store; refer to the guidelines on Submitting for Notarization.
Upon approval from Apple for distribution, download the alternative distribution package for your application from App Store Connect. This package includes all the necessary components for iOS to install your application. For further details, refer to Obtaining an alternative distribution package ID.
Compile and host the alternative distribution package on your web server in a location accessible to iOS devices. For instructions, see Incorporating an alternative distribution package. When you need to update your application, submit it to App Store Connect and follow the same process.
Add a Download button on your webpage
Users initiate the download of your application by clicking on a button on your webpage, utilizing a URL scheme designated for app installations. The browser then forwards this installation request to iOS, which retrieves the appropriate app version or update from the alternative distribution package hosted on your server.
Tip
Apps that Apple approves for web distribution can also install from the App Store or an alternative app marketplace. You can customize the user experience depending on the source from which a person downloads your app. For more information, see Customize your app depending on the installation source.
References
- https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appdistribution/creating-an-alternative-app-marketplace
- https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appdistribution/distributing-your-app-from-your-website#Add-a-Download-button-on-your-webpage