How to force downgrade of iOS app without doing uninstall

Question

iTunes will not sync an app with the same or lower version, which is (somewhat) good for users, but it is a PITA for developers. (When possible, I develop apps to be backwards/forwards/sidewards compatible so any version will work with any data.)

I am developing Enterprise applications, with different editions of the same version number.

I frequently wish to test apps with the same or lower versions without having to uninstall and then have to recreate data. I want to be able to install arbitrary versions of *.ipa files without having to uninstall the app from the device.

Is there any way to force iTunes to install the same or lower version *.ipa files over the app on the device?

I could use XCode, but it is not entirely convenient to check-out the previous version, build, and install, when I have the *.ipa file sitting right there.

I have looked at iPhone Configuration Utility, but it also seems to require an uninstall.

Matt

Answer 1

you can export/import data from any version of your app out/into any other version using the organizer window in Xcode 4.2. So what I normally do is export the data from version n+1 then drag/drop the .app bundle for version n into the organizer window. Xcode will overwrite version n+1 with version N. you can then import the data from version n+1 that you exported earlier.