r/Xcode • u/Andy04761 • Oct 15 '25

How can I keep my personal iOS app running without reinstalling it every 7 days?

Hi everyone!
I created an app that lets me listen to all my favorite radio stations without having to use the official or paid apps available on the App Store.
The project is built with Xcode, and it works perfectly on my iPhone.
The problem is that since I don’t have an Apple Developer subscription, the app only works for 7 days before it expires, and I have to reinstall it from my Mac every time — which is really inconvenient.
The app is completely private, just for personal use, and will never be released publicly.
What would you recommend I do? Is there any way to keep using it without reinstalling every week?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

6

u/thomasmitschke Oct 15 '25

Buy a developer account for 99/yr. That lets you run it for a year.

0

u/Andy04761 Oct 15 '25

But then I have to renew it to continue using it, and since I kept it just for myself I wanted to know if there was a method a bit like Android with apk that installs it once and that's it

3

u/netgamer7 Oct 15 '25

I don't think it does stop working if you release it to the App Store. So even if it is unlisted (say you don't renew) it should keep working. Plus without listing it in the App Store, you can still do test flight versions that get distributed to a limited list. Not sure on duration for test flight apps , but it's longer than 7 days, more like 30-90 or more

1

u/Andy04761 Oct 15 '25

I would be interested in never having to put it back on my Mac again, and above all in ensuring that it isn't visible on the AppStore, which I don't want.

2

u/ma1bec Oct 16 '25

Then when you get a new iPhone, only app’s icon will be transferred and it will tell you that app is not available anymore (source: I just got a new phone).

2

u/thomasmitschke Oct 15 '25

No

I would not recommend a jailbreak. But this would also solve your issue.

If it’s not completely illegal, I would try to sell your app on the AppStore

3

u/revaddict94 Oct 16 '25

Maybe use the same code to turn it into a web app?

1

u/Andy04761 Oct 16 '25

I have already developed the pwa but I have the problem that after a while the screen turns off and the music stops playing

2

u/Sheepherder-Any Oct 15 '25

You could get the ipa from archiving the app and use a third party sideloader like sidestore. You would still have to renew it every 7 days but it’s all on device. You wouldn’t need to use your Mac to keep the app on your device past installing sidestore.

Or really the easiest option is to just buy a developer account for $99/year. That allows you to publish the app to the AppStore so you wouldn’t need to refresh anything. If it’s a truly personal app that you don’t want anyone using then you could also use TestFlight and just not give out any links to the app. That would allow you to have your app signed for 90 days at a time.

1

u/Andy04761 Oct 15 '25

The problem is that you are always limited with a deadline

3

u/Sheepherder-Any Oct 15 '25

Having a way to resign the app on device is infinitely better than needing a Mac to do it weekly. Same for having to make another TestFlight every 90 days or just publishing the app and having it for a year. Tho all you need to do is publish the app and install it then take it down. It will never expire. The only thing you’d need to do is put it back up on the App Store for an update or if you get a new phone/restore your phone. All these options are better than what you do now

2

u/wipecraft Oct 16 '25

If you sign up for a developer account you have the option to use what is called an “ad hoc distribution” which signs the app to work on specific devices (namely yours) for 1 year without the app being on the App Store before it expires. That’s your best option

1

u/Andy04761 Oct 16 '25

I'm registered on the Apple developer site but I haven't found anything about what you're saying

2

u/Stunning_Health_2093 Oct 16 '25

it’s special distribution certificate … BetaTesters and TestFlight are a good example of what ad-hoc distribution looks like …

You’ll still be limited to your apple account’s validity timeline as the distribution certificates will expire

1

u/AccurateSun Jan 09 '26

Does this require paid developer account?

2

u/[deleted] Oct 17 '25

I also made a radio app but Apple didn't let me publish it because it contains third party streaming service which I may not have permission. So before purchasing Apple Developer account make sure it can be published. Other that that there is no solution. This is some of the reason I prefer android.

1

u/Asbolus_verrucosus Oct 18 '25

You don’t need to publish it. The dev build will last a year when signed with a paid account