From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

Posted this in comp.sys.mac.apps, but it occurs to me that group gets
very few posts.

In message <slrnrrvkgm.2pvu.g.kreme@macbook-air.local> Lewis <g.kreme@kreme.dont-email.me> wrote:

To get IPA files onto your mac that are not listed in the App Store:

First, download Apple Configurator 2 and connect your iOS device to the computer (physical connection). In AC, go to the Account Menu and select “Sign in”

R-click on the device in the AC main screen and choose “Add”

You will get a list of all the iOS apps on your account (not just the
ones on the device). You can search through the list to find the app you
want or you can “select all” and add.

The ipa files will be downloaded to a folder in

~/Library/Group\ Containers/K36BKF7T3D.group.com.apple.configurator/Library/Caches/Assets/TemporaryItems/MobileApp

Some application will not launch, but most that run on iOS 14 will. For example, Civ VI appears to run just fine on the M1 Mac from the iPad ipa file.

To copy all the ipa files to some other drive/location:

for file in ~/Library/Group*/**/*.ipa
do rsync -hva $file /Volumes/OtherDrive/IPAs
done

(this will work if you're using bash or zsh)

You do not need to leave the iPhone or iPad connected.

You can double-click the ipa files to add them to you Mac. Some apps will fail with "The developer needs to update this app" and some will fail
with :you do not have permission" errors, but so far most work. Or at
least run.

Of course it is better and faster to get the iOS apps from the App store
if they are available.

--
SUSURRATION: It's a hushed noise. But it hints of plots and secrets
and people turning to one another in surprise. It's the noise, in
fact, made just after the sword is withdrawn from the stone and
just before the cheering starts.
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