diff --git a/ios/build.gradle b/ios/build.gradle
index 2b3fca8d5d..cac8e26205 100644
--- a/ios/build.gradle
+++ b/ios/build.gradle
@@ -57,17 +57,15 @@ tasks.register('copyNatives'){
 }
 
 tasks.register('deploy'){
-    if(System.getProperty("os.name").contains("Mac")) dependsOn copyAssets
     dependsOn createIPA
 }
 
-//must pack before deployment, as iOS never has the latest sprites.
-copyAssets.dependsOn ":tools:pack"
-copyAssets.dependsOn copyNatives
 launchIPhoneSimulator.dependsOn build
 launchIPadSimulator.dependsOn build
 launchIOSDevice.dependsOn build
 createIPA.dependsOn build
+createIPA.dependsOn copyNatives
+createIPA.dependsOn "tools:pack"
 
 robovm{
     archs = "arm64"