Learn how to export your library as an iOS app to the App Store with the help of Kotobee Author and test the app after you upload it to the App store.

If you'd like to enable offline access for your users, you need to do so before your libraries are exported.

If you haven't already, first read how to Export Your Library as a Mobile App, for general instructions on creating any mobile app with Kotobee, and Set Up Your App Information, for instructions to help you enter your app's general information. Then return here for specific instructions on creating and adding apps to the Apple App Store.

Requirements to Create iOS Apps 

Kotobee Author requires three things to export a mobile app:

  1. A Provisioning Profile that comes with the extension .mobileprovision.
  2. A Certificate file (with a password) that comes with the extension .p12.
  3. An App ID to represent your app on the App Store.

To get all those, you need to have an Apple Developer Account. Below we provide you with brief instructions for each one.

While a Mac machine is recommended for some of the steps listed here, this video tutorial created by one of our users can show you how it's possible to create p12 certificate files on Windows without needing a Mac machine.

Steps

  1. Click Enable
    The required information for iOS apps will appear and the Required Mobile Credits in the lower header will be calculated for you.
  2. Create the p12 certificate file.
    1. Login to http://developer.apple.com.
    2. Click on Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles.
    3. Click on All under Certificates since you need a Production Certificate.
    4. Click on the + icon at the top right. Select App Store and Ad Hoc under Production to create a new certificate  and click on Continue.
    5. Follow the displayed instructions on your Mac to create a CSR file and hit Continue.
    6. Select the CSR file you just created and hit Continue.
    7. Click Download to download the certificate in .cer extension.
    8. Double-click the certificate file you just downloaded on your Mac desktop. 
    9. Open the Keychain Access app, and find your certificate. 
      Make sure you are in the Certificates category (selected from the bottom left panel). 
    10. Command-click on the certificate and select Export. Choose to export it as a p12 certificate. 
      You will be asked to enter a password of your choice. You will need this password in a minute.

      The p12 certificate will need to be created just once. So it will be handy to keep it on your computer to use for other ebooks. 

  3. Go back to Kotobee, click Add Certificate (p12) file to add the p12 file you just created.
  4. Enter the Certificate Password you just created. 
  5. Create an app ID.
    1. Click on App IDs under Identifiers.
    2. Click on the + sign at the top right to create a new App ID.
    3. Enter a Name for your certificate.
    4. Enter a Unique ID string under Explicitly App ID to be used to identify your app. Make sure you read the instructions and recommendations. If you are planning to create several ebook apps then it may be better to create a Wildcard App ID, so that you don't have to repeat the process for each app.
    5. Click on Continue to go to the next page.
    6. Confirm the information displayed is correct and click on Register.
    7. You will need the App ID in the next step, creating a a provisioning profile.
  6. Create the provisioning profile
    1. Click on All under Provisioning Profiles.
    2. Click on the + sign at the top right to create a new Provisioning Profile.
    3. Select App Store under Distribution and click Continue. 

      If you want to distribute the app to specific devices then select Ad Hoc instead. In the Testing your app section below, the Development profile type will be mentioned if you are interested in creating a test version of your app first.

    4. Select the App ID you've just created from the list and hit Continue.
    5. Select the appropriate certificate from the list and hit Continue.
    6. Enter a profile name and hit Continue.
    7. Click on Download to download the provisioning profile to your computer.

      The Provisioning Profile will have to be created for each app your export, unless you are using a wildcard App ID.

  7. Back to Kotobee, click on Add Provisioning file.

Once you successfully download the IPA file from Kotobee, you can upload it to the App Store using the Application Loader app, and manage your app information through iTunes Connect.

Testing your app

There are two options available for you to test your app.

  • If you've already uploaded your app to the App Store, but haven't published it yet, you can test your app using TestFlight. 

TestFlight allows you to test your app before adding it to the App Store, as well as invite other testers to test with you. You'll need to download the TestFlight App on your iPhone or iPad device. TestFlight's settings in your iTunes connect account may be accessed from here:

  • If you have enough credits, you can create a Development provisioning profile instead of a Distribution profile, in your Apple Developer Account (in Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles). You will need to add your device to the list of devices allowed to use this Development profile. 

Continue the steps normally to have your IPA exported with this new profile. You can transfer the app (IPA file) to your device using iTunes. For a simpler interface, you may like to give iFunBox a try.

Some gotchas

If you are providing secure access to your ebooks with promo codes using Kotobee Cloud or Kotobee Library, it is possible that Apple will reject your app, with the reason that apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality. In this case, it is important to mention in the demo instructions while you're submitting the app on iTunesConnect that the promo code is the term we use for the access code. It is merely an alternative for email/password login, and not used to unlock features and functionality. You may provide a sample promo code for them to test with as well.