Hello Apple Developer Community,
We are developing a hardware diagnostic solution consisting of a macOS desktop application and a companion iOS application.
Our iOS application is currently distributed through Apple TestFlight for testing purposes. The application installs and functions correctly when users download it manually through TestFlight.
However, we are facing an issue when attempting to automatically install the same iOS application onto iPhones connected to our macOS application via USB.
Our Intended Workflow
A user connects one or multiple iPhones to a Mac using USB cables.
Our macOS application automatically detects the connected devices.
The macOS application initiates installation of our iOS diagnostic application onto the connected iPhones.
The iOS application performs hardware diagnostic tests.
Test results are transferred back to the macOS application.
Once testing is completed, the iOS application can be removed from the connected devices.
Current Issue
When installing the iOS application manually through TestFlight, everything works correctly.
However, when attempting to install the application programmatically from our macOS application over USB, we encounter a developer recognition or trust-related error.
Our objective is to support commercial hardware diagnostic testing on customer-owned iPhones without requiring users to manually install the application, enable Developer Mode, trust developer certificates, or register individual device UDIDs.
Questions
Is there an officially supported Apple API, framework, or method that allows a macOS application to programmatically install an iOS application onto USB-connected iPhones?
Is this functionality available for applications distributed through TestFlight, or does it require an App Store production release?
Can installation be initiated on customer-owned, unmanaged iPhones without requiring Developer Mode, manual certificate trust, or device registration?
Are there specific code-signing, provisioning profile, or distribution requirements for installing an iOS application through USB?
Does Apple provide a supported solution for deploying diagnostic applications to multiple USB-connected iPhones simultaneously?
If direct USB installation is restricted, what alternative Apple-supported workflow would be recommended for commercial device diagnostic and refurbishment applications?
Additional Information
Our iOS diagnostic application and macOS desktop application have already been developed, and the core diagnostic functionality is working.
The remaining challenge is determining the correct Apple-supported method for installing the iOS companion application automatically onto connected devices.
We would appreciate guidance from Apple engineers or developers who have experience with USB-based iOS application deployment, device management, or commercial diagnostic solutions.
Thank you for your assistance.
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