Installing an Ad Hoc Distribution

What is Ad Hoc Distribution?

Ad Hoc Distribution allows you to try an application before it’s available in the iTunes App Store. This is how we distribute iPhone applications to beta customers.

What You’ll Need

Before beginning the installation process you’ll need:

The .zip file for the application (usually OnixApp.zip)

The .mobileprovision file for the application (usually OnixAdHocProfile.mobileprovision)

Your Device: the iPhone or iPod Touch whose UDID you emailed us previously (Remember?)

The computer you normally sync with your Device

We usually send the .zip and .mobileprovision files to you via email.

Installing the Application - Windows XP

If you have the .zip and .mobileprovision files in an email, save them to a convenient location, such as your Desktop.

Drag-and-drop the .mobileprovision file onto Library → Applications in iTunes. On the Mac, you can just drag it to the iTunes icon in your dock.
Windows XP Add Mobile Provision File Screenshot

Extract the .zip file. To do this, right-click the .zip file and select Extract All… . Step through the wizard and accept the defaults by clicking Next.
WINDOWS VISTA USERS: The built-in “Extract All…” command corrupts the application so that it cannot be installed. You should try using a different zip program like WinZip or WinRar to extract the Zip file. Better yet, ask the application developer to send you the application as a .ipa file instead of a .zipfile, then you don’t have to unzip it.
Windows XP Extract All Screenshot

Find the .app folder (usually MyApp.app).
Windows XP App Folder Screenshot

Drag-and-drop the whole .app folder onto Library → Applications in iTunes. On the Mac, you can just drag it onto the iTunes icon in the dock.
Windows XP iTunes Add App Screenshot

Verify that the application shows up in Library → Applications. Note that it will not have its normal icon.
Windows XP iTunes Library Applications Screenshot

In iTunes, select your Device under Devices, choose the Application tab, and make sure that the new application is checked.
Windows XP iTunes Devices iPhone Applications Screenshot

Sync your Device and try out the new app!

If you run into any trouble installing an app, just email us, info@onix-systems.com. We’ll help you get it sorted out.