The Executable Was Signed with Invalid Entitlements

Introduction

Developing and distributing iOS applications can be a complex process, especially when it comes to ad-hoc distribution. In this article, we will delve into the world of code signing and entitlements, and explore how to resolve the “Executable was signed with invalid entitlements” error.

Understanding Code Signing

Code signing is a process that verifies the identity of an application’s creator and ensures that the application has not been tampered with during distribution. In iOS development, code signing is used to sign applications with a certificate chain that includes the developer’s public key.

Entitlements

Entitlements are a set of permissions and rights that are required by an application to function correctly. When an application is signed with entitlements, it must include specific keys and values in its signature to ensure that it can access certain resources and services.

The Role of Provisioning Profiles

Provisioning profiles play a crucial role in the code signing process. A provisioning profile is a file that contains information about an application’s identity, including its name, bundle identifier, and certificate chain. When an application is signed with entitlements, it must be included in a provisioning profile that has been generated by the developer.

The “Executable was signed with invalid entitlements” Error

When an application is installed on an iPhone or iPod touch, the device checks the application’s signature to ensure that it has not been tampered with. If the signature contains invalid entitlements, the device will display an error message indicating that the executable was signed with invalid entitlements.

The Cause of the Error

In the case of ad-hoc distribution, the “Executable was signed with invalid entitlements” error is often caused by incorrect or missing entitlements in the application’s signature. This can occur when the developer forgets to include the required entitlement keys in their application’s code signing request.

Resolving the Error

To resolve the “Executable was signed with invalid entitlements” error, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a New Entitlements File

First, create a new file called Entitlements.plist within your project. This file will contain the required entitlement keys that are missing from your application’s signature.

To do this, select New File > iPhone OS > Code Signing > Entitlements. Name the file Entitlements.plist and click Finish.

Step 2: Uncheck the “Get-task-allow” Property

Next, uncheck the get-task-allow property in the Entitlements.plist file. In Xcode 4, this property is called Can be debugged. To do this, select the new Entitlements.plist file and check or uncheck the get-task-allow property.

Step 3: Specify the Entitlements File in Build Settings

In the Target > Build Settings inspector, specify the name of the Entitlements.plist file, including its extension. There is no need to specify a path unless you have placed the Entitlements.plist file somewhere other than the top-level of your project.

Step 4: Build and Test

Finally, build your application using Xcode. If everything is set up correctly, your application should be installed successfully on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the “Executable was signed with invalid entitlements” error and how to resolve it. By understanding code signing and entitlements, you can ensure that your iOS applications are properly signed and configured for ad-hoc distribution.

Code Signing and Entitlements Example

Code Signing and Entitlements.plist

// Entitlements.plist (example file)
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
         "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
    <dict>
        <!-- Add entitlement keys here -->
        <key>get-task-allow</key>
        <true/>
        <key>apssv6</key>
        <true/>
        <key>apssv7</key>
        <true/>
        <key>background-app-launch-location</key>
        <false/>
    </dict>
</plist>

Build Settings

// Target > Build Settings (example)
<key>CODE Signing Entitlements</key>
<string>Entitlements.plist</string>

This code signing and entitlements example demonstrates how to create an Entitlements.plist file and specify it in the Build Settings inspector. The Entitlements.plist file contains the required entitlement keys that are missing from your application’s signature, while the Build Settings inspector specifies the name of the Entitlements.plist file, including its extension.

Additional Resources

Last modified on 2024-09-04