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Archive built, but exporting the .ipa failed

iOS / Xcode · last reviewed 2026-11-10

The error looks like this

error: archive at path 'App.xcarchive' is malformed
** EXPORT FAILED **

Why it happens

ExportOptions.plist method/team/profile does not match the archive, or the archive is a "Generic Xcode Archive" (a pod or extension has SKIP_INSTALL=NO).

How to fix it

  1. Check ExportOptions.plist: method app-store-connect and your teamID.
  2. In Xcode Organizer, if the archive shows as "Generic Xcode Archive": set SKIP_INSTALL=YES on every framework/pod target.
  3. Read the IDEDistribution log path printed in the output for the exact reason.
  4. Run: releasemedic scan to check your build script.

Not sure this is your error? Let ReleaseMedic read the whole log

Build logs are long and the last line is rarely the real cause. ReleaseMedic finds the first real error, explains it and gives the steps — free, and the log never leaves your computer.

$ npx releasemedic log build.log

Or pipe a build straight in: cd android && ./gradlew bundleRelease 2>&1 | npx releasemedic log -

Catch it before you build

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