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Hello everyone,, Is it possible to build a ios app and distribute it with out apples blessings ?
I believe I read it somewhere,, I cant seem to find it.Hi skip8it,
To distribute your native apps out of AppStore, you have three options:
1) You are free to distribute your app among pre-registered set of devices (see provisioning profile) without uploading app to appstore, so called ad-hoc method.
2) Using the iOS Enterprise Program, which is like having your own private app store that’s allowed by iOS license but requires very special setup. This is really targeted at big companies. See https://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/enterprise/
3) Another case is to use non-official app stores. But note that users must jailbreak their device. We don’t support this, but you should be able to find many instructions how-to-do in the net.
Hope this is helpful.
The first two you still need to pay Apple if I’m not mistaken.
On the third the first app I ever released was through the non-apple app stores. It was downloaded over 9000 times (to date). I plan to redo this app someday and release it in the app stores. It is a little easier but you will still need the certificate files to release it. You can also release paid apps on some of these non-apple stores. I have not done this, but most the ones that actually sell are games or high feature utilities and the market is not near as big at the actual apple store. I do know one developer that used the non apple stores and raised enough money to pay for the apple license.
Another option is to find someone with a Apple license to publish your app for you for a fraction of the cost or maybe an ad in your app. I am thinking of doing this but havent decided just yet.
The reality is that it is a very tough business model. Startup costs are $99 Apple licence+ $99 Mobione + $25 Google + taxes. In my first year, after all these costs, my total profit was $9. The good news is that subsequent years get better. I anticipate reaching profitability this week. Anyone trying to make money here needs to realize that you’ll always start $99 + tax in the red every year. Also, without advertising, your app is dead.
-1TC
1thinchip is right, it is a tough model, but its also not the only one, it all depends on the focus of your business. My first week with mobione I made 650 dollars, after my expense. But, I already had a business plan and most the details worked out before I purchased the software with my previous business model. I am now changing my business focus and expect to do well in the coming year.
But, read about the business, most developers will fail as they dont really plan anything. They think they can make an app and make money. Truth is there are some really good apps that know one knows about and fail.
