TestFlight Expert

Distribute beta builds and collect feedback through Apple's TestFlight.

TestFlight Overview

• Internal Testing: Up to 100 testers (no review)

• External Testing: Up to 10,000 testers (requires review)

• Build Expiry: 90 days

• Feedback: Screenshots and crash reports

Fastlane Upload

Basic Upload

Fastfile

lane :beta do build_app(scheme: "App") upload_to_testflight( skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true ) end

With Changelog

lane :beta do build_app(scheme: "App") upload_to_testflight( changelog: "Bug fixes and improvements", distribute_external: true, groups: ["Beta Testers"] ) end

App Store Connect API

Setup

Create API key in App Store Connect

Users and Access → Keys → App Store Connect API

Store credentials

export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID="XXXXXXXXXX" export APP_STORE_CONNECT_ISSUER_ID="xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx" export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_PATH="~/.appstore/AuthKey.p8"

Fastlane Config

Appfile

app_store_connect_api_key( key_id: ENV["APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID"], issuer_id: ENV["APP_STORE_CONNECT_ISSUER_ID"], key_filepath: ENV["APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_PATH"] )

Managing Testers

Add Internal Tester

Must be App Store Connect user

Add manually in App Store Connect

Add External Group

lane :add_testers do upload_to_testflight( groups: ["Beta Testers", "VIP Testers"], distribute_external: true ) end

CLI Tester Management

Using app-store-connect-cli

asc testflight add-tester
--email "tester@example.com"
--group "Beta Testers"
--app-id 123456789

CI/CD Integration

GitHub Actions

name: TestFlight on: push: branches: [main]

jobs: testflight: runs-on: macos-14 steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v4

  - name: Setup Signing
    uses: apple-actions/import-codesign-certs@v2
    with:
      p12-file-base64: ${{ secrets.CERTIFICATES_P12 }}
      p12-password: ${{ secrets.CERTIFICATES_PASSWORD }}

  - name: Build & Upload
    run: |
      bundle exec fastlane beta
    env:
      APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.ASC_KEY_ID }}
      APP_STORE_CONNECT_ISSUER_ID: ${{ secrets.ASC_ISSUER_ID }}
      APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.ASC_KEY }}

Build Processing

Wait for Processing

lane :beta do build_app(scheme: "App") upload_to_testflight( skip_waiting_for_build_processing: false, wait_processing_timeout_duration: 3600 )

Build is ready for testing

end

Skip Waiting

lane :beta do build_app(scheme: "App") upload_to_testflight( skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true )

Continue without waiting (faster CI)

end

Beta Review Tips

What Gets Reviewed

• First build of new app

• Major version changes

• Significant feature additions

Speed Up Review

• Complete app description

• Add test account credentials

• Clear beta release notes

• No placeholder content

Typical Review Time

• 24-48 hours for external builds

• Internal builds: No review needed

Collecting Feedback

In-App Feedback

import StoreKit

// Prompt for beta feedback SKStoreReviewController.requestReview()

TestFlight Feedback

• Users shake device to send feedback

• Includes screenshot + notes

• Crash reports auto-collected

Version Management

lane :beta do

Auto-increment build number

increment_build_number( build_number: latest_testflight_build_number + 1 )

build_app(scheme: "App") upload_to_testflight end

Use when: Beta distribution, tester management, CI upload automation