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Step 3: Apple Configuration

This guide covers the iOS-specific configuration required for your whitelabel mobile app, including certificates, identifiers, and provisioning profiles. You will provide these credentials to WhautoChat, who will handle the app build process.

Prerequisites​

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • Active Apple Developer account (USD 99/year)
  • Your app's Bundle ID decided (e.g., chat.whauto.app)
  • Access to Apple Developer Portal
  • APNs key already created (from OneSignal configuration)

Step 1: Register App ID​

Create App Identifier​

  1. Log in to Apple Developer Portal
  2. Go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
  3. Click Identifiers in the sidebar
  4. Click the + button to create a new identifier
  5. Select App IDs, then click Continue
  6. Select App as the type, then click Continue

Configure App ID​

  1. Description: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "WhautoChat Business")
  2. Bundle ID: Select Explicit and enter your Bundle ID (e.g., chat.whauto.app)
  3. Capabilities: Enable the following:
    • ✅ Push Notifications
    • ✅ Associated Domains (for deep linking)
    • ✅ App Groups (if using shared data)
    • ✅ Sign in with Apple (if needed)
  4. Click Continue, then Register
Bundle ID Cannot Be Changed

Once registered, the Bundle ID cannot be changed. Make sure it's correct before proceeding.

Step 2: Create Distribution Certificate​

Generate Certificate Signing Request (CSR)​

  1. Open Keychain Access on your Mac
  2. Go to Keychain Access → Certificate Assistant → Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Enter Common Name (e.g., "Your Company Name")
  5. Select "Saved to disk"
  6. Click Continue and save the .certSigningRequest file

Create iOS Distribution Certificate​

  1. In Apple Developer Portal, go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
  2. Click Certificates in the sidebar
  3. Click the + button
  4. Under Services, select Apple Distribution
  5. Click Continue
  6. Upload your CSR file
  7. Click Continue, then Download the certificate
  8. Double-click the downloaded certificate to install it in Keychain Access
tip

The distribution certificate is used to sign your app for App Store distribution. Keep it secure and backed up.

Step 3: Create Provisioning Profile​

App Store Provisioning Profile​

  1. In Apple Developer Portal, go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
  2. Click Profiles in the sidebar
  3. Click the + button
  4. Select App Store under Distribution
  5. Click Continue
  6. Select your App ID from the dropdown
  7. Click Continue
  8. Select your Distribution Certificate
  9. Click Continue
  10. Enter a Profile Name (e.g., "WhautoChat App Store")
  11. Click Generate
  12. Download the provisioning profile

Step 4: Enable Push Notifications​

Configure Push Notification Capability​

  1. In Apple Developer Portal, go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
  2. Click Identifiers
  3. Select your App ID
  4. Scroll to Push Notifications and ensure it's checked
  5. Click Configure next to Push Notifications
  6. You should see your APNs key already configured (from OneSignal setup)
  7. Click Done, then Save

Step 5: App Store Connect Setup​

Create App in App Store Connect​

  1. Go to App Store Connect
  2. Click My Apps
  3. Click the + button → New App
  4. Fill in the details:
    • Platform: iOS
    • Name: Your app name (e.g., "WhautoChat Business")
    • Primary Language: English (or your preferred language)
    • Bundle ID: Select your registered Bundle ID
    • SKU: Unique identifier (e.g., "WHAUTO-CHAT-001")
    • User Access: Full Access
  5. Click Create

Configure App Information​

  1. In your app's page, go to App Information
  2. Fill in required fields:
    • Privacy Policy URL: Your privacy policy URL
    • Category: Select primary category (e.g., Business)
    • Content Rights: Check if applicable
  3. Click Save

Set Up Pricing and Availability​

  1. Go to Pricing and Availability
  2. Set your app's price (Free or paid)
  3. Select Availability (all countries or specific regions)
  4. Click Save

Required Information for WhautoChat​

WhautoChat Builds Your App

You provide the credentials below to WhautoChat. We handle the entire build process and deliver the final IPA file ready for App Store submission.

Please provide the following to WhautoChat for app build:

Certificates and Profiles​

  • Distribution Certificate (.p12 file) with password
  • Provisioning Profile (.mobileprovision file)

Export Distribution Certificate​

  1. Open Keychain Access on your Mac
  2. Go to My Certificates
  3. Find your Apple Distribution certificate
  4. Right-click → Export
  5. Save as .p12 file
  6. Set a password (remember this!)
  7. Send the .p12 file and password to WhautoChat

App Store Connect Access​

Option 1: App-Specific Password (Recommended)

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID
  3. Go to Security → App-Specific Passwords
  4. Click Generate Password
  5. Enter a label (e.g., "WhautoChat Build")
  6. Copy the generated password

Option 2: App Store Connect API Key

  1. In App Store Connect, go to Users and Access
  2. Click Keys tab
  3. Click + to generate a new key
  4. Enter Key Name (e.g., "WhautoChat API")
  5. Select Access: Developer or App Manager
  6. Click Generate
  7. Download the API key (.p8 file)
  8. Note the Key ID and Issuer ID

Configuration Checklist​

Before proceeding, ensure you have:

  • Registered App ID with Bundle ID
  • Enabled Push Notifications capability
  • Created Distribution Certificate
  • Exported Distribution Certificate as .p12 file
  • Created App Store Provisioning Profile
  • Created app in App Store Connect
  • Configured app information and pricing
  • Generated App-Specific Password or API Key
  • Prepared all files and credentials for WhautoChat

Common Issues​

"No Certificates Available"​

Solution: Make sure you've created a Distribution Certificate and it's installed in your Keychain Access.

"Bundle ID Already Registered"​

Solution: Each Bundle ID must be unique. Choose a different Bundle ID or use an existing one if it's yours.

"Provisioning Profile Expired"​

Solution: Provisioning profiles expire after 1 year. You'll need to regenerate them in the Apple Developer Portal.

"Certificate Not Trusted"​

Solution: Make sure you've installed the Apple Worldwide Developer Relations Intermediate Certificate. Download it from Apple's certificate page.

Certificate Renewal​

Distribution certificates expire after 1 year. To renew:

  1. Generate a new CSR (same process as Step 2)
  2. Create a new Distribution Certificate
  3. Update your provisioning profiles with the new certificate
  4. Export the new certificate and provide to WhautoChat
Set a Reminder

Set a calendar reminder 1 month before your certificate expires to avoid app signing issues.

Security Best Practices​

  • Never share your .p12 password publicly
  • Keep backups of your certificates and keys
  • Use strong passwords for .p12 exports
  • Revoke certificates if compromised
  • Limit App Store Connect access to necessary personnel

Next Steps​

Once you have completed the Apple configuration:

  1. Proceed to Google Configuration for Android setup
  2. Review Build Prerequisites to ensure everything is ready
  3. Submit all credentials to WhautoChat for app build
  4. Review Build Process to understand the workflow
  5. After receiving the IPA file, proceed to App Store Submission

Additional Resources​