Why isn't my iPhone app bundle replacing the old one during an update?

Question

I'm starting with an app that has foo.png as a resource, and the app is installed (either in the simulator or on the device). If I delete foo.png, do a clean build, etc., and install, then it still shows up in the bundle on the simulator or device!

But I know the file isn't in the bundle before copying to the simulator or device (for example:

1. I can see it's not there in the build folder.
2. If I delete the app from the simulator or device, and then install, then foo.png doesn't show up on the simulator or device.

So it seems that when updating, it doesn't replace the app bundle; instead, it only copies new files and replaces updated ones. (I can confirm that it does, in fact, copy and replace files properly.)

Why isn't it replacing the entire app bundle?

Answer 1

If you update your application through iTunes using an ad hoc build you will see that your .app bundle will be replaced completely and old resources, such as the foo.png file described in the original post will be removed.