iOS Code Signing Best Practices to Build .NET MAUI in DevOps

🌟 Course Title: iOS Code Signing Best Practices to Build .NET MAUI Apps in Windows Environment

Course Headline:

Building iOS Apps from Windows: Mastering .NET MAUI and Code Signing with Chris Zenzel

Introduction

This course was inspired by the challenge of creating a fully-fledged development environment on Windows for building Apps for the Apple iOS platform using nothing but Windows technologies. Leveraging Azure DevOps' Pipelines, which offer a generous free tier, this course guides you through developing robust mobile Apps with .NET MAUI.

Are you ready to learn how to build a clean keychain with your code signing certificates and leverage it to build iOS Apps on Microsoft Windows? 🚀

Course Overview

• Certificate Management: Learn to manage your Apple Developer and Distribution certificates across different platforms with ease.
• Backup and Sync: Discover an easier approach to backing up your certificates, avoiding those dreaded "#@*$! moments" when you forget to do so.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access your certificates on various platforms, including developing with Unity iOS Build Tools for Windows or for CI/CD workflows in Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions.
• Secure Storage: Understand how to store and backup your code signing files securely for minimal development downtime.
• Automation with Azure DevOps: Learn the ins and outs of automating your build process using .NET MAUI on Azure DevOps.
• Development Environment Setup: Create a Windows-based development environment specifically tailored for cross-platform mobile Apps targeting iOS devices.

Detailed Curriculum

1. Certificates Management with Xcode Certificate Assistant (XCA):

   • Learn how to generate and manage Apple Developer and Distribution certificates across platforms using XCA.
   • Export your certificates for any Keychain or CI/CD workflow.

2. Keychain Backup and Recovery:

   • Discover alternative methods to back up your code signing certificates beyond Keychain Access.
   • Prevent data loss and reduce frustration with reliable backup strategies.

3. Importing Provisioning Profiles and Certificates in Azure DevOps:

   • Understand how to import provisioning profiles and certificates into Azure DevOps for a streamlined CI/CD process.

4. Automating .NET MAUI Builds with Azure DevOps:

   • Start automating the build of your cross-platform App using Azure DevOps with new code signing certificates.
   • Learn how to create a custom workflow that includes macOS, XCode, and Microsoft .NET 6.

5. Developing a Windows Environment for iOS Development:

   • Explore setting up a development environment on Windows capable of creating iOS Apps.

Key Learning Points

• Certificate Keychain Management:

  • Understand the advantages of using third-party certificate managers.
  • Learn how to use these in conjunction with the Apple Developer Program website.

• Advanced Security and Compliance:

  • Gain insights into developing processes for solo or small team settings, ensuring compliance without relying on Azure Key Vault or other cloud-based key management systems.

• Bonus: Compiling .NET MAUI Apps with Azure DevOps:

  • As a bonus, learn how to compile a .NET MAUI application using newly created code signing certificates on Azure DevOps.
  • This includes setting up macOS 12, XCode 13.4, and Microsoft .NET 6 for a custom workflow tailored to your needs.

Enroll now to embark on your journey to mastering iOS code signing with .NET MAUI on Windows and transform your development workflow with best practices! 👨‍💻📱✨