"Disallowed paths ( "iTunesMetadata.plist" ) found at ..." when submitting to App Store

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

Error message

ERROR: ERROR ITMS-90047: "Disallowed paths ( "iTunesMetadata.plist" ) found at: Payload/iPhoneApp1.app"

This error is the result of a change in Apple's App Store verification process to prevent users from hitting issues like Bug 29180. This specific error is not related to the particular version of Xamarin you have installed, so downgrading will not help.

Steps to solve

Use these steps if you have upgraded to the following versions (or higher). If using older versions of Xamarin see the "old workaround" section below.

Xamarin Studio 5.9.1.3
XamarinVS 3.11.458
Xamarin.iOS 8.10.0.303

Since Apple now requires 64-bit support for all uploads the App Store, these steps also assume the use of the Unified API.

For IDE builds in Xamarin Studio on Mac

Create an archive using the "Build -> Archive for Publishing" menu item.
Use the "Sign and Distribute" button in Xamarin Studio as described in the docs to create the .ipa.
Submit the .ipa file using Application Loader.

For command line builds on Mac

Ensure "Project Options -> iOS IPA Options -> Include iTunesArtwork images" is not checked and "Build ad-hoc/enterprise package (IPA)" is checked.

If you prefer, you can instead edit the .csproj file in a text editor and manually add the 2 corresponding properties to the PropertyGroup for the configuration that will be used to build the app:
```
<BuildIpa>true</BuildIpa>
<IpaIncludeArtwork>false</IpaIncludeArtwork>
```
Build the app from the command line using either mdtool or xbuild.
Submit the .ipa file using Application Loader.

For command line or IDE builds with XamarinVS

Ensure "Project Properties -> iOS IPA Options -> Include Artwork in IPA" is not checked. (Or manually set the BuildIpa and IpaIncludeArtwork properties as mentioned above.)
Build the app.
Submit the .ipa file using Application Loader.

To submit a `.xcarchive` using Xcode rather than Application Loader

If you wish to use Xcode to submit the app after running "Build -> Archive for Publishing", then you will either need to use the "Old workaround" or manually remove the iTunesMetadata.plist file from the .xcarchive bundle. This behavior is intentional for now: it allows the same .xcarchive bundle to be used both for App Store distribution as well as Ad Hoc distribution.

Old workaround

(From Bug 29180, Comment 0.)

Using a text editor, add the following lines at the bottom of your iOS app project's .csproj (before the closing </Project> line):

<Target Name="_CompileITunesMetadata" DependsOnTargets="_DetectSdkLocations;_DetectAppManifest;_GenerateBundleName;_CompileAppManifest">
  <Message Text="Skipping CompileITunesMetadata task to prevent inclusion of iTunesMetadata.plist in the IPA" />
</Target>

This will stop the iTunesMetadata.plist file from being included in the .ipa in the first place.

EDIT July 06: Remove outdated content.

ChristopherMyhill · May 2015

We have just come across this and will be keen to get the fix. Thanks

Insula · May 2015

Thanks, I've been able to submit successfully by following your detailed instructions and simplified method. Appreciate the support - it's handy to know these alternative methods too.

MarcoT · May 2015

when you think you can release a fix for this problem?
I tried the VS workaround with no success.
I managed to use the workaround for xamarin studio but then I had some problems with Apple validation on some images (it's strange because on VS I had no problems, so there can be some difference between iOS icon under VS and XS).

Anyway, it's seems really an easy thing to fix for you, please do it as soon as possible!

JarrodKoch · May 2015

One thing to note, make sure that when you are submitting through XCode that you sign with the provision which is associated to your administrator Apple account. I mistakenly tried to submit with a development provision, which was quickly slapped down.

AndyHopper · May 2015

Just thought I'd cross-post my bash script here:

If you're lazy like me, you like to have the computer do things for you. Here's a (very LIGHTLY tested) bash script to have it yank the iTunesMetadata.plist file from the most recent archive, an then open XCode so you can submit it. Important notes: it only checks the most recent .xarchive folder, and it's written with the assumption that you're not publishing more than one app (you'd have to tweak the script to take a name as input to support that); it's meant to be used in a "Archive for Publish" -> script -> "Submit from XCode" workflow.

Hope it's useful to someone!

Note: I could not get the markdown to allow me to properly escape the shebang and comment, so make sure you replace any \# characters with #.

\#!/usr/bin/env bash archives="$HOME/Library/Developer/Xcode/Archives/*"; IFS=$'\n' dates=($(find $archives -maxdepth 0 -type d)) lastIndex=${#dates[@]}-1; lastDateFolder=${dates[lastIndex]} echo "Looking in $lastDateFolder for the most recent archive..." archiveGlob="$lastDateFolder/*"; archives=($(find $archiveGlob -maxdepth 0 -type d)) lastArchiveIndex=${#archives[@]}-1; lastArchive=${archives[lastArchiveIndex]} echo "Found $lastArchive." appGlob="$lastArchive/Products/Applications/*" apps=($(find $appGlob -maxdepth 0 -type d)) \# We only expect to find one app. Sorry, no edge-case checks. appFolder=${apps[0]} echo "Found application '$appFolder'." echo "Checking ${appFolder##*/} for the existence of iTunesMetadata.plist..." iTunesMetadataPath="$appFolder/iTunesMetadata.plist" if [ -f $iTunesMetadataPath ]; then echo "Found iTunesMetadata.plist. Removing..." rm "$iTunesMetadataPath" echo "File deleted." fi echo "Opening archive in XCode." open $lastArchive

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

In case anyone might have been hitting "Invalid Signature. A sealed resource is missing or invalid.", I've updated the first post in the thread with some additional information about that error plus a troubleshooting step with codesign --verify.

DannyC · May 2015

Thanks for the workaround @BrendanZagaeski

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

If you are running into this problem, try this build: ~~http://storage.bos.internalx.com/monodevelop-lion-monodevelop-5.9-ipa-submit-fixes/41/4115c44ba4efcf24b8452c54bdf1ffb5e31c164e/XamarinStudio-5.9.1.4.dmg~~

Update: try this build instead: http://storage.bos.internalx.com/monodevelop-lion-monodevelop-5.9-ipa-submit-fixes/ec/ecd51ce543c2ad1b1499db64ada89cb70f852c9b/XamarinStudio-5.9.1.5.dmg

ShawnCastrianni.5092 · May 2015

I build my final distribution builds with my CI automated build system using xbuild. Since xbuild comes from the Mono.framework and not XamStudio, will a new XamStudio fix this for me too? I do not use the new publishing workflow since I have my automated CI build system.

PatrickAbadi · May 2015

I installed XS 5.9.1.5 and re-built my app but iTunesMetadata.plist is still there. Did anyone get this working with this new version? Am I doing something wrong?

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

@ShawnCastrianni.5525 no, installing Xamarin Studio 5.9.1.5 will not change anything for you.

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

@ShawnCastrianni.5525,

For CI (and other command-line builds), there's actually a simpler workaround from Bug 29180, Comment 0 that I forgot to include in the first post on this thread (I'll add it now).

Using a text editor, add the following lines at the bottom of your iOS app project's .csproj (before the closing </Project> line):

<!-- NOP out CompileITunesMetadata task, which creates a rouge metadata plist file -->
<Target Name="_CompileITunesMetadata" DependsOnTargets="_DetectSdkLocations;_DetectAppManifest;_GenerateBundleName;_CompileAppManifest">
  <Message Text="Skipping CompileITunesMetadata task to prevent inclusion of iTunesMetadata.plist in the IPA" />
</Target>

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

@panoramicsoft This build of Xamarin Studio does not change the build at all, it only patches the dialog that creates an IPA from an archive in order to submit to the AppStore (or AdHoc/Enterprise distribution).

PatrickAbadi · May 2015

Ok that worked, thank you.

ShawnCastrianni.5092 · May 2015

Thanks BrendanZagaeski,

I can confirm that a CI build can be fixed by adding the dummy target to the bottom of your .csproj file. I successfully submitted to Itunes connect.

AmandaAdams · May 2015

Including the target : _CompileITunesMetadata in the iOS project, then building, zipping, and uploading to iTunes using Application Loader worked

NathanChannon · May 2015

Edit: Using zip option now works... but not sure why.

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

This build of Xamarin.iOS should theoretically fix command-line builds: ~~http://storage.bos.internalx.com/macios-mac-macios-cycle5/ef/efa88a77bcda8a432f1d5b9b6291d1d8b7f29b98/monotouch-8.10.1.40.pkg~~

Update: http://storage.bos.internalx.com/macios-mac-macios-cycle5/ca/cafedd6e44deeed99c977a10a4b6beca80714037/monotouch-8.10.1.41.pkg

fugugames · May 2015

I got this error in the 1.40 build:

Error: Error initializing task _ITunesSourceFile: Not registered task _ITunesSourceFile. (WordsEye)

which disappeared in the 1.41 build, but now I'm getting this:

Error: Error building target _CreateIpa: Can not evaluate "'$(IpaIncludeArtwork)' And Exists ('$(IntermediateOutputPath)ipa\iTunesMetadata.plist')" to bool. (WordsEye)

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

Sorry about that, try this build: http://storage.bos.internalx.com/macios-mac-macios-cycle5/13/134f5c041d9d603fea5f5d5aa72f461f17cd7a42/monotouch-8.10.1.45.pkg

meenusaproo · May 2015

we are still facing the issue after installing latest monotouch-8.10.1.45.pkg

SLVGlobalLLC · May 2015

We are facing this issue too. I was able to archive last week with out any issues. But now I get this error. We did not update Xamarin studio also from the last week.
Eagerly waiting for a proper build/steps to fix this issue.

LuisFlores.5879 · May 2015

The fix explained earlier about going into the IPA folder and deleting the iTunes file worked for me. Xamarin studios build: 5.8.3. after deleting the file I verified the IPA using Xcode and submitted the build to the iStore. my app build works just as intended. Testflight's users reported zero errors with the build.

fugugames · May 2015

I also just submitted a TestFlight build by manually deleting the iTunesMetadata file and also had to manually add an AppIcons29x29.png file.

VictorHGarcia · May 2015

I know you guy are working hard at this and thank you so much! please keep us updated on the status on this, since seems not only me, but a lot of people is having the same issue.

Note: The workaround of remove the iTunesMetadata.plist file from the archive file, worked fine, I was able to submit to TestFlight without problems.

Thanks again

TomyRobinson · May 2015

The workaround doesn't work for me. I downgraded to 3.9.547 but I keep getting a 0 byte ipa file.

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

@TomyRobinson, there are 3 known causes of 0 byte IPA files:

Bug 24416 - Building "Ad-Hoc" configuration from command line does not copy IPA file to Windows
Bug 24417 - Changing "Project Properties -> iOS IPA Options -> Package name" prevents IPA from being copied back to Windows
Bug 29822 - [XVS.iOS 3.11] Setting "Build" number different from "Version" number causes IPA not to be copied to Windows

All 3 bugs are fixed in the current Alpha channel version of XamarinVS.

Until this latest Alpha release, Bug 24416 and 24417 had been unchanged compared to XamarinVS 3.7. (Before XamarinVS 3.7, XamarinVS did not attempt to copy the .ipa file to Windows from the Mac build host at all. The "Alternate workaround for Visual Studio" in the first post in this thread hints at the "old, pre-XamarinVS 3.7" way to get the IPA file: take the IPA file directly from the Mac build host. This "old" technique completely side-steps the problem of getting a 0 byte IPA file on Windows.)

Bug 29822 was a regression between XVS 3.9 and XVS 3.11 (from here). It is now fixed in the Alpha service release for XVS 3.11.

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

The fix for the Xamarin Studio "Build -> Archive for Publishing" workflow on Mac (from earlier in the thread) has now been published to the Stable Channel as a hotfix against the previous Stable Channel version Xamarin Studio 5.9.0 (build 431).

I have updated the first post in this thread accordingly.

Hotfixes for both Visual Studio and command line builds on Mac are being prepared for release over the next few days.

BramvandenBroek · May 2015

Unfortunately after installing version 5.9.1 (build 3) the problem is still present and I am unable to submit to the Apple store.

FrancoisM · May 2015

Followed VS workaround. Now it doesn't complain about iTunesMetadat.plist but iTunesArtwork... I'll try again the workaround but I'll delete that file as well.

FrancoisM · May 2015

it seems to have worked after deleting iTunesArtwork as well.

JarrodKoch · May 2015

I am also still having the problem with itunesmetadata.plist after installing 5.9.1.

BrianRepetti · May 2015

Still a problem with itunesmetadata.plist . just upgraded today. not cool. what a waste of my time.

At least you posted a work around.

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

@breps how are you creating the IPA that still has the iTunesMetadata.plist file in it? If you are using the Publishing Workflow in Xamarin Studio, that won't happen anymore. That's what was fixed.

BrianRepetti · May 2015

I did a clean, then a build. I then chose Build Archive for publishing.

I then load XCode, open Organizer. Choose the archive I just created and hit submit.

I had to manually edit the archive and remove the plist file. After that it submitted ok.

JeffreyStedfast · May 2015

@FranoisMouchati

xbuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform=iPhone /p:BuildIpa=true /p:IpaIncludeArtwork=false /target:Build MyProject.sln

Setting the IpaIncludeArtwork property to false will remove the iTunesArtwork and iTunesMetadata.plist files from the resulting IPA.

Brian_Snoddy · May 2015

Any idea when this is going to be fixed via an update for Xamarin for Visual Studio? So we do not have to perform a workaround?

BrendanZagaeski · May 2015

I have added the following clarifying note about the Xamarin Studio hotfix in the first post in the thread:

Important: You must use the "Sign and Distribute" button in Xamarin Studio as described in the docs if you want Xamarin Studio to remove the iTunesMetadata.plist file automatically. You can then upload the resulting .ipa file using Application Loader. If you want to use Xcode to upload the app directly from the .xcarchive, you will need to remove the iTunesMetadata.plist file by hand using one of the workarounds mentioned below. This behavior is intentional: it allows the same .xcarchive file to be used both for App Store distribution as well as Ad Hoc distribution.

DavidCarrigan · May 2015

I to am effected. Since there's this whole hullabaloo to fixing it at this time I will stick with the work around. Till then I will waiting for a proper update/fix....

Unfortunately the work around doesn't work so well for me but I will give it another shot later--I'm exhausted trying get around this. Basically I can remove the file in question, but when I do and re-package everything the Application Loader complains there is a sealed resource missing or invalid..

DavidCarrigan · May 2015

I was able to proceed using the following work around.

Add the following block of XML to your project file (.csproj) just before the closing project tag.

<Project>
    ...etc...
    <!-- NOP out CompileITunesMetadata task, which creates a rouge metadata plist file -->
    <Target Name="_CompileITunesMetadata" DependsOnTargets="_DetectSdkLocations;_DetectAppManifest;_GenerateBundleName;_CompileAppManifest">
      <Message Text="Skipping CompileITunesMetadata task to prevent inclusion of iTunesMetadata.plist in the IPA" />
    </Target>
</Project>

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