Testflight
TestFlight
TestFlight is an online service for over-the-air installation and testing of mobile applications, currently owned by Apple Inc.. It is offered exclusively to developers within the iOS Developer Program. The service allows developers to distribute applications to internal or external beta testers, who can subsequently send feedback about the application to developers.
History
TestFlight was originally developed by a company named Burstly, which also created an in-app ad management platform called SkyRocket. In 2014, Apple acquired Burstly, and subsequently, TestFlight became an Apple product. Following the acquisition, Apple discontinued support for Android applications in March 2014, focusing solely on the iOS ecosystem.
Features
Beta Testing
TestFlight allows developers to invite users to test beta versions of their apps and App Clips before they are released on the App Store. Developers can invite testers through email or a public link. When testing a beta app or App Clip, Apple collects and sends crash logs, usage information, and any feedback submitted by the tester to the developer. This information is used to improve the app and related products.
Installation and Usage
To test beta versions of apps using TestFlight, users need to accept an email or public link invitation from the developer and have a compatible device. The TestFlight app is available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and iMessage. Users can see how many days they have left for testing under the app name in TestFlight. The app notifies users each time a new build is available and includes instructions on what needs to be tested. With TestFlight 3 or later, users can turn on automatic updates to have the latest beta builds installed automatically.
Developer Tools
Developers can sign up with TestFlight to distribute applications to beta testers. The TestFlight SDK allows developers to receive remote logs, crash reports, and tester feedback. Developers can build beta tester groups directly using the App Store and Xcode integration and publicize these invitation links. Up to 100 apps can be tested at a time, internally or externally. Testers may be grouped, and separate builds can be created for each group.
Notable Examples
Several high-profile applications have utilized TestFlight for beta testing. For instance, the Corona-Warn-App, developed by the German Federal Government and the Robert Koch Institute, used TestFlight to distribute beta versions to its project team and partners. Another example is the Signal app, which offers a beta version through TestFlight for users who want to test new features before they are released to the public.
Modern Applications
TestFlight continues to be a crucial tool for developers in the Apple ecosystem. It supports the testing of apps across various Apple devices, including the Apple Vision Pro. The service has streamlined the process of beta testing, making it easier for developers to gather valuable feedback and improve their applications before official release.