Finding the app bundle ID

There’s no way to look up bundle IDs in the Apple iOS App Store directly. To find the identifier, you’ll need to look at a file inside your app.

If Your App Is in the App Store

  1. Find the app online (search for the iTunes link). This example uses Apple Pages.

  2. Copy the number after the ID in the URL — here it’s 361309726.

  3. Open https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=361309726, replacing the ID with the one you’re looking up.

  4. Search the output for bundleID. In this example, it looks like this (next to a bunch of other data): "bundleId":"com.apple.Pages". So for Apple, the bundle ID is com.apple.Pages.

If You Have the IPA File Directly

  1. Copy the .ipa file and rename the extension to .zip. (So, for example, Pages.ipa will become Pages.zip.)

  2. Unzip the ZIP file. You’ll get a new folder named the same way as the original ZIP file.

  3. Search for the iTunesMetadata.plist file in the new folder.

  4. Open the file with a text editor and search for softwareVersionBundleId. For example, for the Pages app, the bundle ID is com.apple.Pages.

iTunes Metadata Plist

You can also use iTunes to download the app’s .ipa file directly and then find the bundle ID, like shown below.

iTunes App File Download

If You Only Have the App on Your Phone

  1. Use a tool like iExplorer, which allows you to browse your device storage directly.

  2. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac via USB and open iExplorer or a similar utility.

  3. Open the Apps folder on your device and locate the app you’re interested in.

  4. Locate the iTunesMetadata.plist file and follow the steps above that you used to unpack the .ipa file.

As of PSPDFKit 5 for iOS, you can use this technique to identify the SDK version as well.

FAQ

How do I find the app bundle ID in Xcode?

Open Xcode and navigate to your project settings. Under the “General” tab, locate the “Bundle Identifier” field, which contains your app’s bundle ID.

Why is the app bundle ID important for iOS development?

The bundle ID uniquely identifies your app across the iOS ecosystem, ensuring there are no conflicts with other apps. It’s crucial for app submission to the App Store and for using specific Apple services.

Can I change my app’s bundle ID after it’s been created?

Changing the bundle ID of an app that’s already published can lead to complications, as the App Store treats it as a new app. It’s generally not recommended unless you’re still in the development phase.

What is the format of an iOS app bundle ID?

An iOS app bundle ID is usually formatted like a reverse domain name, such as com.companyname.appname, to ensure uniqueness.

How can I retrieve the bundle ID from an installed app?

To retrieve the bundle ID from an installed app, you can use tools like iExplorer or view the app’s package information via the device settings.