Xcode builds & code signing

Apple Silicon hardware gives fast compile times for iOS and macOS projects. Here’s how to build and sign from the command line.

Build from the terminal

xcodebuild \
  -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace \
  -scheme MyApp \
  -configuration Release \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS' \
  clean archive -archivePath build/MyApp.xcarchive

Managing Xcode versions

brew install xcodesorg/made/xcodes
xcodes install 16.0
sudo xcodes select 16.0

Code signing

For unattended CI builds, import your certificate into a dedicated keychain so codesign works without a GUI prompt:

security create-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PWD" build.keychain
security import cert.p12 -k build.keychain -P "$P12_PWD" -T /usr/bin/codesign
security set-key-partition-list -S apple-tool:,apple: -s -k "$KEYCHAIN_PWD" build.keychain
security list-keychains -d user -s build.keychain

Tip

fastlane handles certificates, profiles and uploads for you:

brew install fastlane
fastlane match appstore   # sync signing assets
fastlane gym              # build & sign
fastlane deliver          # upload to App Store Connect

Next

• Wire it into self-hosted CI runners.
• Debug on real devices via remote USB.