AppChef

AppChef is WaveMaker's cloud-based mobile build service that generates signed APK, AAB, and IPA files through a web interface. No local Android SDK or Xcode installation required.

Access AppChef: https://www.wavemakeronline.com/AppChef/#/Main

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Quick Start

1. Upload React Native zip

• Login to AppChef
• Click Upload Build or drag-and-drop zip file
• Wait for upload to complete

2. Configure app information

• Application Name: User-visible app name
• Application ID: com.company.appname (permanent)
• Version: 1.0.0 format
• Developer details: Name, email, website

3. Select build type

• Development: Testing, internal QA (Android: debug keystore, iOS: development cert)
• Production: App store submission (production certificates required)

4. Configure certificates

Android:

• Select _DEBUG (development) or upload production keystore
• For production: Upload .keystore file, enter passwords and alias

iOS:

• Upload P12 certificate (.p12) and provisioning profile (.mobileprovision)
• Enter P12 password
• Unlock certificate (24-hour window)

5. Build

• Click Build button
• Build queues on cloud servers
• Monitor status: Queued → Processing → Success/Failed
• Download APK/AAB/IPA from MyApps dashboard

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Android Builds

Debug Builds

_DEBUG certificate:

• Built-in, auto-selected for development builds
• No upload required
• Generates app-debug.apk
• Cannot be used for Play Store

Output: APK only (direct installation)

Production Builds

Keystore required:

Generate keystore:

keytool -genkey -v -keystore release.keystore \
  -alias release-key -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

Upload to AppChef:

• Keystore file path
• Keystore password
• Key alias
• Key password

Output:

• AAB (default): Play Store submission
• APK (optional): Direct installation, testing

Change output format: Android Package dropdown → Select APK or AAB

QR Code Installation (Android)

APK builds automatically generate QR codes:

1. Scan QR code with Android device
2. Download APK
3. Enable "Install from unknown sources"
4. Install app

Note: AAB builds do not generate QR codes (Play Store only)

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iOS Builds

Certificate Requirements

Always required:

• P12 certificate (.p12)
• Provisioning profile (.mobileprovision)

Certificate types:

Type	Usage	Profile Type
Development	Testing on registered devices	Development
Distribution	App Store, TestFlight, Ad Hoc	App Store, Ad Hoc, Enterprise

Certificate Upload

1. Click + next to iOS Certificate dropdown
2. Upload P12 certificate file
3. Upload provisioning profile
4. Enter certificate name
5. Enter P12 password
6. Click upload

Certificate Unlock

Certificates lock after 24 hours:

1. Select certificate from dropdown
2. Enter P12 password in unlock dialog
3. Certificate unlocked for 24 hours
4. Re-enter password after expiration

Provisioning Profiles

Profile types:

Profile	Certificate	Device Limit	Distribution
Development	Development	100 registered	Direct install, debugging
Ad Hoc	Distribution	100 registered	Beta testing
App Store	Distribution	Unlimited	App Store only
Enterprise	Enterprise	Unlimited	Internal company

Device UUID registration:

• Development and Ad Hoc require device UUID in profile
• Get UUID: Settings → General → About → tap serial number
• Register in Apple Developer Portal
• Regenerate profile after adding devices

QR Code Installation (iOS)

IPA builds with Development or Ad Hoc profiles generate QR codes:

1. Scan QR code with iOS device
2. Tap "Install" in Safari
3. Trust developer certificate: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
4. Launch app

Limitations:

• Device UUID must be in provisioning profile
• App Store profiles generate QR codes but won't install
• Enterprise profiles work on any device

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Managing Builds

MyApps Dashboard

Access after login:

• Application cards with latest build status
• QR codes in top-right corner
• Click card for build history

Build Actions

Download logs:

• Available for all build statuses
• Essential for troubleshooting failed builds

Download artifact:

• Available for successful builds only
• Click platform icon (Android/iOS) to download

Re-queue:

• Rebuild with same configuration
• Certificate unlock required if locked
• Useful for testing reproducibility

Cancel:

• Available during Queued or early Processing
• Cannot reverse cancellation

Delete:

• Remove build from history
• Permanent deletion
• Free space for new builds

Build Limits

• 25 applications maximum per account
• 10 builds per application
• Delete old builds to create new ones
• Delete applications to free slots

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Troubleshooting

Build Stuck in Queued

Wait: 10-15 minutes for queue processing

If persistent: Cancel and re-queue after 30 minutes

Build Failed

1. Download build log
2. Search for "ERROR" or "FAILED"
3. Common issues:
   • Certificate errors: Check validity, passwords, profile match
   • Compilation errors: Fix code in WaveMaker Studio
   • Dependency errors: Check package compatibility
4. Fix issue and rebuild

Android: Cannot Install APK

• Enable "Install from unknown sources"
• Settings → Apps → Special access → Install unknown apps

iOS: Cannot Install IPA

"Unable to Install App":

• Verify device UUID registered in provisioning profile
• Check profile hasn't expired
• Use Development or Ad Hoc profile (not App Store)

"Untrusted Enterprise Developer":

• Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
• Trust developer profile

QR Code Won't Scan

• Ensure high-resolution QR code image
• Good lighting conditions
• Try different QR scanner app

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Best Practices

Certificates:

• Generate and export P12 certificates early
• Document passwords securely
• Backup keystore and P12 files (critical)
• Set renewal reminders (annual)

Build workflow:

1. Development builds for testing and QA
2. Production builds for app store submission
3. Download artifacts before deleting builds
4. Archive important builds externally

Version management:

• Increment version number for each release
• Increment version code/build number for every build
• Document version history

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Summary

• Access: AppChef
• Android: _DEBUG (development) or production keystore, APK/AAB output
• iOS: P12 + provisioning profile required, IPA output
• QR codes: Auto-generated for APK and IPA (Development/Ad Hoc)
• Limits: 25 apps, 10 builds per app
• Certificate unlock: 24-hour window, automatic re-lock

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Related Documentation

Build Documentation:

• Overview – Mobile build methods comparison
• CLI Builds – Local command-line builds alternative
• Expo Builds – Expo EAS Build alternative
• Configuration – App settings and certificates

Publishing Documentation:

• Publishing Overview – Distribution workflow after building
• Android Publishing – Play Store submission with AAB
• iOS Publishing – App Store submission with IPA
• Certificates and Signing – Certificate upload and management

External Resources:

• AppChef Platform – Cloud build service
• Android Keystore Guide – Generate Android certificates
• iOS Certificate Guide – Generate iOS certificates