iOS Signing Certificate Types
Apple Developer account types, the differences between Ad Hoc, In-House, and App Store signing, and how each is labeled in Pgyer.
For an iOS app that hasn't shipped to the App Store yet, whether it installs on a device depends on the certificate — the signing method — used when the .ipa was exported. This page covers the signing methods Pgyer supports and which certificate types each kind of Apple Developer account can use.
Apple Developer Account Types
Apple offers four types of developer account, with different prices, eligibility requirements, and certificate options:
| Account Type | Annual Fee | App Store | Pgyer Distribution | Device Limit | Eligibility | Certificate Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $99 | Supported | Supported | 100 | No restrictions | Ad Hoc, App Store |
| Company | $99 | Supported | Supported | 100 | DUNS number | Ad Hoc, App Store |
| Enterprise | $299 | Not supported | Supported | Unlimited | DUNS number | Ad Hoc, In-House |
| Education | $0 | Supported | Supported | 100 | Educational institution | Ad Hoc, App Store |
For the actual export steps, see Build an iOS IPA.
Signing Methods and How Pgyer Labels Them
Apple provides three signing methods for iOS apps. Pgyer detects the certificate used in the installer and labels the release accordingly on the download and management pages:
| Signing Method | Label in Pgyer | Who Can Install | Applicable Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Hoc | Beta | Only devices whose UDID has been added to the certificate | Individual, Company, Education, Enterprise |
| In-House | Enterprise | Any iOS device | Enterprise |
| App Store | App Store | Installable only through the App Store | Individual, Company, Education |
Distributing iOS apps through Pgyer typically uses Ad Hoc or In-House:
- With an Individual, Company, or Education account: use Ad Hoc and add each target device's UDID to the certificate.
- With an Enterprise account: use In-House, and the resulting build installs on any iOS device.