Hi Apple Developer Support,
We are reaching out to request guidance on a testing constraint we have encountered related to iOS Universal Links and Associated Domains entitlements.
As part of aligning with updated recommendations from our authentication provider, we have transitioned our mobile apps to use HTTPS redirect callbacks (Universal Links) instead of custom URI schemes. This works as expected in production and on real physical devices.
However, we are encountering a significant issue in our cloud-based device testing environment. When our testing platform re-signs the app to run it on their infrastructure, the re-signing process strips the Associated Domains entitlement from the app bundle. As a result, iOS no longer honors our Universal Links, which breaks the authentication redirect flow — the callback cannot route back into the app after the user authenticates.
We have identified a potential workaround that would involve disabling app re-signing in the testing platform, but this requires provisioning under an Apple Enterprise Developer account. This introduces considerable operational complexity, as it would require us to maintain separate signing and distribution paths alongside our existing Apple Developer Program membership.
Before pursuing that path, we wanted to understand Apple's perspective on the following:
Is there a supported or recommended approach for preserving Associated Domains entitlements when an app is re-signed by a third party (e.g., a cloud testing platform)?
Are there any provisioning or entitlement configurations that would allow Universal Links to function correctly in re-signed builds without requiring an Enterprise Developer account?
Does Apple have documented best practices for validating Universal Link–based flows in automated or cloud-based testing environments?
Are there any alternative deep linking patterns that would be more resilient to re-signing while still meeting App Store and platform security requirements?
Any guidance or recommendations from Apple on how to handle this within the bounds of the standard Apple Developer Program would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.