Apple account limits
Understand free Apple signing limits, seven-day renewal, and the difference from store publishing.
A free Apple account can provision apps for personal testing through Companion for Windows. Your OpenV2 subscription and your Apple developer account are separate: Pro or Max enables native builds in OpenV2, but does not upgrade your Apple account.
Free Personal Team limits
Apple publishes these limits in its developer account overview:
| Resource | Free-account limit |
|---|---|
| Installed apps | Up to 3 apps per device |
| App IDs | Up to 10 registered App IDs, expiring after 7 days |
| Registered devices | Up to 3 devices, expiring after 7 days |
| Provisioning profiles | Expire 7 days after issuance; rebuild and reinstall after expiry |
The App ID limit counts application identifiers, not ten installation attempts. Reinstalling the same project normally updates the existing app. Changing its bundle identifier or using extensions can require additional App IDs.
When a limit is reached
- Three installed apps: choose a test app to remove from the phone, then retry installation. Deleting an app can delete its local data.
- App IDs: reuse the project's existing identifier and check the error. Removing an installed app does not immediately free a registered App ID; wait for expired identifiers to become available if required.
- Expired profile: reconnect the phone, open Companion, and rebuild, sign, and install the project again. Keep the Apple account and project identifier consistent.
Companion does not renew an app in the background while the phone is disconnected. After renewal, complete any developer-trust prompts on the iPhone.
Store publishing and capabilities
Free provisioning is for personal testing. App Store and TestFlight distribution require an Apple Developer Program membership, the necessary App Store Connect access, and the appropriate distribution workflow. Some capabilities need membership and correctly configured entitlements. A paid OpenV2 plan does not remove Apple's requirements.