Why is this?
This usually happens when xCode can't create a valid archive for distribution, so it just gets created in "Other Items" in the Organizer as a "Generic Xcode Archive".
Is it a problem?
Yes, because you will not be able to submit it to Apple Store Connect. You cannot package generic archives nor submit them for review.
If I can change this, how?
First of all, we need to check the project setup:
- In
Target > Manage Schemes... check if your current target is a valid project with the Shared flag selected
![enter image description here]()
- In
Target > Edit Scheme... check if the target is the only one with Archive enabled. Also check if the Analyze and the Archive tabs have Release selected in Build Configuration
![enter image description here]()
- In
Product > Analyze (Shift + command + B), check if there are no errors. You can access the report in the last icon on the navigator panel:
![enter image description here]()
I checked all the 2 vote answers on this link, and they mostly cover all the possible solutions, but I would like to double check the Apple's support page troubleshoot:
1) Your archive contains header files.
If you are using a static library, check if there is a Headers build phase. If so, delete this phase, add a Copy Files build phase to your library, and use it to export your header files.
![enter image description here]()
2) Your archive contains static libraries or frameworks.
In this case, the libraries and frameworks need to have the flag skip install set to YES
![enter image description here]()
Then try to archive it again.
If none of the solutions worked, there is a workaround here that consists in modifying the archive .plist file manually and adding the missing information. It can be accessed:
- Archive your project
- Organizer will show a Generic Xcode Archive
- Right Click, Show in finder
- Right Click, Show Package Contents
- Open the Info.plist file in a XML editor
Your valid .plist file would be like this:
Just replace PASTE_YOUR_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER_HERE with your bundle identifier,
PASTE_YOUR_CERTIFICATE_NAME_HERE with your certificate name,PASTE_YOUR_CERTIFICATE_ID_HERE with your certificate id and PASTE_YOUR_TEAM_ID_HERE with your team id.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>ApplicationProperties</key>
<dict>
<key>ApplicationPath</key>
<string>Applications/FinalAppPrj.app</string>
<key>CFBundleIdentifier</key>
<string>PASTE_YOUR_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER_HERE</string>
<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.0</string>
<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>1</string>
<key>SigningIdentity</key>
<string>iPhone Distribution: PASTE_YOUR_CERTIFICATE_NAME_HERE (PASTE_YOUR_CERTIFICATE_ID_HERE)</string>
<key>Team</key>
<string>PASTE_YOUR_TEAM_ID_HERE</string>
</dict>
<key>ArchiveVersion</key>
<integer>2</integer>
<key>CreationDate</key>
<date>2019-09-01T20:47:53Z</date>
<key>Name</key>
<string>FinalAppPrj</string>
<key>SchemeName</key>
<string>FinalAppPrj</string>
</dict>
</plist>
To check the certificate name and ID, the easiest way is to open Keychain Access.app (Mac Finder > Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.app), find the certificate (you can filter by the text "Distribution") and see its details. Marked in green is the name, marked in red is the ID between parenthesis.
![enter image description here]()
Then close and reopen xCode. In Window > Organizer, if the archive is under iOS Apps, then you can Validate and Distribute the app.
Edit
To add an iOS Distribution Certificate, in xCode, click on xCode > Preferences > Accounts > Select the team and click on Manage Certificates... . On the Plus button you should see iOS Distribution:
![enter image description here]()
Add this certificate to the project, check in the keychain if is added there and point it into the .plist file.
As you are using a signing team, you also need to add the team to the .plist. I updated the .plist file with the needed entry.
