TestFlight- The User’s Perspective
How to set up TestFlight and begin beta testing apps today
I'm sure everyone has heard of the TestFlight app, which lets developers release and test beta versions of their apps. Testers/clients can simply download TestFlight on the Apple App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV and test out their applications!
Now, Apple has given this app to testers and clients, not just developers, who can install the “Beta App” to view their app in a testing environment.
Thus, Apple has made it easy for users to start using the TestFlight app by following a maximum of five steps.
Let’s go through the steps for installation.
Step 1— Installation
Install the TestFlight app on the device you’ll use for testing from the Apple Store:
- Go to the Apple Store and search for “TestFlight”. Click the download cloud sign to install it (like you do for every other application in the Apple Store).
2. Check for the TestFlight icon in the iPhone menu.
Step 2— Download from the Invitation Email
2.1 Download on the iPhone
On your Mail app, check your mail and accept your email invitation, or follow the public link to install the beta app. The invitation email will come from the iTunes Store (the actual email is do_not_reply@apple.com).
Note: You can install a beta app on up to 30 devices only, so, use wisely.
But first, you have to send your mail ID to the developer who will add it to their testers list. Check your mail ID for an e-mail like this:
Open your invitation email or tap on the public link on your iOS device.
2.2 Download on a PC
Install your Beta App from an Invitation Email from your PC.
- Open your invitation email on a browser of your choice on the PC.
- Click or tap Start Testing. You will be taken to a webpage with a redemption code.
- Open TestFlight on your iPhone device.
Step 3— Open in TestFlight
Tap View in TestFlight or Start Testing; or tap Accept, Install, or Update for the app you want to test.
Go to Redeem and enter the Redemption code and your App is installed!
Note: This invite is synced to the Apple ID only to your phone. So, forwarding the email won’t pass the beta app onto anybody. Only the Developer managing the beta test can refer to the beta app to another tester.
Important Points -
1. If you already have the App Store version of the app installed on your device, the beta version of the app will replace that version. When you’ve downloaded the beta app, you’ll see an orange dot next to its name that identifies it as a beta.
2. When you accept a TestFlight invitation through a public link, your name and email address are not visible to the developer. However, they’ll be able to see your number of sessions and crashes and the day you installed their app.
Apple TestFlight Procedure
Each build is available to test for up to 90 days, starting from the day the developer uploads their build. You can see how many days you have left for testing under the app name in TestFlight. TestFlight will notify you each time a new build is available and will include instructions on what you need to test.
All in-app purchases are free during the testing period ( If there are any )
If the iOS app you need to test doesn’t open, contact the developer. The developer’s email is listed in the reply-to field of the invitation email and in the Information section of the app’s page in TestFlight.
After the Testing Period
When the testing period is over, you will no longer be able to open the beta build. To install the App Store version of the app, download or purchase the app from the App Store. In-app purchases are free only during beta testing, and any in-app purchases made during testing will not carry over to App Store versions.
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