TestFlight Flow

How to distribute TheCompanyApp to beta testers via TestFlight.

Prerequisites

Apple Developer Account: Required (paid membership $99/year).

App Store Connect Access: Admin or App Manager role.

Xcode: Version 15.0+ with iOS 16.0+ SDK.

Build and Archive

Step 1: Update Version

File: TheCompanyApp.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj (via Xcode UI)

1. Select project in navigator

2. Select "TheCompanyApp" target

3. General tab → Identity

4. Version: 1.0.0 (marketing version)

5. Build: 1 (increment for each upload)

Increment Build Number:

cd /Users/ehsanazish/Documents/Projects/TheCompanyApp
agvtool next-version -all

Step 2: Configure Signing

1. Signing & Capabilities tab

2. Team: Select your development team

3. Bundle Identifier: com.3nsofts.TheCompanyApp (must match App Store Connect)

4. Signing Certificate: Apple Distribution

5. Provisioning Profile: App Store (automatic or manual)

Step 3: Select Device

Toolbar → Any iOS Device (arm64)

Step 4: Archive

Menu: Product → Archive

Wait: 5-10 minutes for build to complete.

Result: Archives window opens with new archive.

Upload to App Store Connect

Step 1: Validate

1. Select archive in Archives window

2. Click "Validate App"

3. Choose distribution certificate

4. Wait for validation (2-5 minutes)

5. Resolve any errors (see Troubleshooting below)

Step 2: Distribute

1. Click "Distribute App"

2. Select "App Store Connect"

3. Upload method: "Upload"

4. Distribution options:

   • ✅ Include bitcode (if available)

   • ✅ Upload symbols (for crash reports)

5. Review details

6. Click "Upload"

Upload Time: 5-20 minutes depending on file size and network.

Step 3: Processing

App Store Connect → My Apps → TheCompanyApp → TestFlight tab

Status: "Processing" (appears after upload completes)

Wait: 10-60 minutes for Apple to process build.

Notification: Email sent when build ready for testing.

Configure TestFlight

Step 1: Build Information

1. Select build in TestFlight tab

2. Add What to Test:

   Version 1.0.0 (Build 1)
   
   NEW FEATURES:
   - Multi-company management
   - CloudKit sharing
   - Inventory tracking
   - Order management
   
   KNOWN ISSUES:
   - None
   
   TESTING FOCUS:
   - Create and switch between companies
   - Share company with another tester
   - Add inventory items and orders
   - Verify sync across devices

3. Add Test Details (optional):

   • Contact email

   • Marketing URL

   • Privacy policy URL

Step 2: Export Compliance

Question: "Does your app use encryption?"

Answer: Yes (HTTPS for CloudKit)

CCATS Required?: No (standard encryption only)

Submit: Saves compliance info.

Step 3: Internal Testing Group

Internal Testers: Up to 100 (must have App Store Connect access)

1. TestFlight → Internal Testing

2. Click "+" to create group

3. Name: "Internal Team"

4. Add testers by email

5. Select build to test

6. Enable automatic distribution (new builds auto-deploy)

Testers receive: Email invite immediately.

Step 4: External Testing Group (Optional)

External Testers: Up to 10,000 (public beta)

1. TestFlight → External Testing

2. Create group: "Public Beta"

3. Add build (requires App Review first time)

4. Submit for Beta App Review

5. Wait for approval (1-2 days)

6. Add testers via email or public link

Tester Experience

Tester Receives Invite

Email: "You're invited to test TheCompanyApp"

Steps:

1. Tap "View in TestFlight" button

2. Redirects to App Store → TestFlight app

3. If TestFlight not installed:

   • Install TestFlight (free)

   • Tap link again

4. Accept invite

5. Tap "Install"

Testing the App

TestFlight UI:

• Build number and version displayed

• "What to Test" instructions visible

• "Send Feedback" button (shake device or screenshot)

Feedback Options:

• Screenshot-based feedback

• Crash reports (automatic)

• Text feedback

Tester Sends Feedback

Shake Device:

• Feedback UI appears

• Select area of screenshot (optional)

• Type feedback

• Submit

Developer Receives:

• Feedback in App Store Connect → TestFlight → Feedback

• Includes: screenshot, text, device info, iOS version

Update Process

Releasing New Build

1. Fix bugs from tester feedback

2. Increment build number: 1 → 2

3. Archive and upload (repeat steps above)

4. Wait for processing

5. Automatic distribution (if enabled) or manually select build

Testers notified: "New build available for TheCompanyApp"

Update:

• Open TestFlight

• Tap "Update"

• New version installs

Version Update

New version (e.g., 1.0.0 → 1.1.0):

• Update Version in Xcode

• Reset Build to 1

• Create new "What to Test" notes

• Upload as new version

Expiration

TestFlight Build Lifespan: 90 days from upload.

Expiration Warning: Testers notified 5 days before expiration.

Developer Action: Upload new build to extend testing.

Public Link (External Testing)

Generate Link:

1. External Testing group → Build → Enable Public Link

2. Copy link: https://testflight.apple.com/join/ABC123XYZ

3. Share on website, social media, email

Anyone with link can:

• Join TestFlight beta

• Install app (no email invite needed)

• Limited to 10,000 testers per build

Monitoring

App Store Connect → TheCompanyApp → TestFlight → Metrics

View:

• Installs over time

• Sessions per tester

• Crashes per session

• Feedback count

Crash Reports:

• TestFlight → Crashes

• View stack traces

• Download .crash files

• Symbolicate with dSYM

Transitioning to Production

When ready for App Store:

1. Archive new build (or use existing TestFlight build)

2. Distribute → App Store Connect

3. App Store Connect → App Store tab (not TestFlight)

4. Create new version

5. Fill in App Store metadata

6. Submit for App Review

7. Wait for approval (1-7 days)

8. Release to App Store

TestFlight continues: Can run TestFlight alongside production.

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Related: Share Testing Checklist, Debugging Logs, Common Issues