Create an App Store provisioning profile

Uploading an app to App Store Connect requires an app record registered with an explicit App ID. You can create your own App Store provisioning profile with an explicit App ID to use when you upload your app to App Store Connect.

For the complete App Store workflow, visit “Distribute an app through the App Store” in Xcode Help.

Note: If you choose “Automatically manage signing” when you upload an app to App Store Connect, Xcode manages distribution provisioning profiles for you.

Required role: Account Holder or Admin.

  1. In Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles, click Profiles in the sidebar, then click the add button (+) on the top left.

  2. Under Distribution, select an App Store distribution profile for your platform, then click Continue.

    • App Store: For iOS and watchOS apps and App Clips.

    • tvOS App Store: For tvOS apps.

    • Mac App Store: For macOS apps including those configured with Mac Catalyst.

  3. Choose the App ID you used for development (the App ID that matches your bundle ID) from the App ID pop-up menu, then click Continue.

    If you use automatic signing during development, choose one of the following:

    • XC Wildcard if it is the only option.

    • The Xcode-managed explicit App ID that begins with XC and contains your bundle ID.

    • The App ID that you registered and matches your bundle ID.

  4. Select your distribution certificate, then click Continue.

    An App Store provisioning profile contains a single distribution certificate.

  5. Enter a profile name, then click Generate.

  6. Click Download.

In Xcode, download the provisioning profile.