TestFlight integration

TestFlight is Apple’s app for installing beta builds. Use it to install and test a prerelease build of an iOS or iPadOS app on a Kobiton private or local device. For Apple’s instructions on accepting invitations and installing beta builds, see TestFlight.

TestFlight isn’t available on public devices. Use a private or local device instead. See Device types.

Requirements

  • A TestFlight invitation from the app developer, sent as an email invitation or a public link from App Store Connect.

  • A Kobiton private or local iOS device that meets the device and OS criteria the developer set for the beta.

  • An Apple Account signed in on that device.

Start a manual session

Start a manual session on a private or local iOS device. Complete the remaining steps on that device.

Install TestFlight

  1. Open App Store and search for TestFlight.

  2. Install TestFlight.

The Apple Account on the device doesn’t need to match the Apple Account the developer uses in App Store Connect.

Accept the invitation and install the build

  1. On the device, open the invitation:

    • For an email invitation, open the email and select View in TestFlight.

    • For a public link, open the link.

  2. In TestFlight, select Accept.

  3. Select Install.

  4. When the app appears on the home screen, open it to start testing.

Update to a newer build

When the developer publishes a new beta build, TestFlight sends a notification. To install it, open TestFlight and select Update next to the app.

Compare TestFlight beta apps with App Repository apps

Kobiton handles a beta app installed through TestFlight the same way as an app installed from the App Store, not as an App Repository app.

Cleanup policy

If the device’s cleanup policy includes All apps installed and associated data within a session will be removed, cleanup removes the beta app at the end of the session, like any other installed app. TestFlight itself (com.apple.TestFlight) stays on the device because cleanup doesn’t remove apps with bundle IDs that start with com.apple. Cleanup also doesn’t remove the Apple Account, so you can reinstall the beta app from TestFlight in the next session.

To keep the beta app installed between sessions, add its bundle ID to the policy’s exemption list. See Cleanup configurations.

Test Cases and Test Runs

You can convert a session that uses the beta app into a Test Case. Because the app isn’t in App Repository, a Test Run can’t install it. The Test Case replays only on devices where the beta app is already installed when the Test Run starts.

Before you start a Test Run:

  • Install the beta build from TestFlight on every device in the Test Run.

  • Exempt the beta app from the cleanup policy, or reinstall it before each Test Run.

The Test Run opens whichever build is installed on the device. To choose the build version for a Test Run, upload the build to App Repository instead. See Test Case replay requirements.