.IPA File Extension

iOS App Store Package

Here are edits to make the text simpler, more cohesive, and with improved flow: Files with the .ipa extension contain iOS apps. To view the contents, rename the file to .zip and unzip it. This lets y...

General Information

Title IPA File Extension
Extension .ipa
Full Form iOS App Store Package
File Type Application Archive File
Developer Apple Inc.
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store iOS app
Additional Functions Installation, Backup
Features Signed, Zip-based

File Characteristics

Quality High
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable No, Encrypted

Use Cases

iOS App Installation Yes
App Development Yes
Beta Testing Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Piracy, Malware
Best Practices App Store, Code signing

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 2008
Significant Update iOS 11 (2017), IPA files no longer synced via iTunes

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .app, .plist, .mobileprovision

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
iTunes Free Windows, Mac
Xcode Free Mac
Cydia Impactor Free Windows, Mac, Linux