Getting started

ipa-hub downloads, signs, and installs IPA apps on your paired Apple devices. Run a single command on your Mac, or keep a server running and manage your apps from the manager.

Prepare your Mac

Install Xcode and sign in to your Apple account in Xcode → Settings → Accounts. ipa-hub reuses the signing certificate already in your Mac. It never asks for your Apple password.

Open Device Hub (installed with Xcode), choose File → Pair Nearby Device... from the macOS menu bar at the top of the screen, and follow the prompts to pair your device. Enable Developer Mode when your device asks for it.

Install your first app

No global installation is required:

npx -y ipa-hub install gh:utmapp/UTM

ipa-hub finds the latest release, lets you choose an ipa file and device when needed, signs the app, and installs it.

Start a background server

npm i -g ipa-hub && ipa-hub service install --setup-manager

This starts the server immediately and installs a LaunchAgent that starts when you log in. It also installs the App Manager on your selected device so that you can install and update apps from the device itself. Use ↑/↓ and Enter to choose a paired iPhone or iPad for App Manager, or choose Skip App Manager installation. Add the personal link to your Home Screen when prompted; the icon is named ipa-hub. Keep the Mac awake for network installations.

You can also set up App Manager while installing an app with the global CLI:

ipa-hub install gh:utmapp/UTM --setup-manager

Choose the target device first. ipa-hub ensures the service is installed and started, installs the app through the server, then sets up App Manager on that device and opens its personal link. Add --open to open the installed app instead. With npx/bunx, --setup-manager requires an existing server or installed service; it never installs a service from a temporary CLI.

Add App Manager to another device

ipa-hub service manager install

Choose your paired iPhone or iPad. Safari opens its personal setup page: choose Share → Add to Home Screen, keep Open as Web App enabled if shown, then tap Add. Open the ipa-hub Home Screen icon to use App Manager. See App Manager setup for details and device support.

Add --make-admin to let this manager manage every paired device. Each enrollment link contains private credentials; share it only with its intended device.

Verify your setup

ipa-hub device ls
ipa-hub teams

If you've installed the background service, check it with ipa-hub service status.

Use --help on any command to see its flags and examples. Use --json for complete structured results. See install sources, devices and signing, or server setup next.

For storage paths, server ports, authentication tokens, and terminal settings, see environment variables.

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