TestFlight Finally Coming to the Mac

Apple today announced that TestFlight, which allows developers to public test their apps before launch, will be coming to the Mac as part of wider tools meant to improve app development.

IMG 05D35D96ED74 1
TestFlight for the Mac is part of a wider set of tools for developers, including Xcode Cloud, which offers "continuous integration and delivery cloud service designed specifically for Apple developers." With the new service, developers in teams can now easily test, develop, and deploy apps more efficiently. Xcode Cloud also allows developers to build apps in the cloud, freeing up local space on the Mac.

Xcode Cloud is a new continuous integration and delivery cloud service designed specifically for Apple developers. Built into Xcode 13, Xcode Cloud offers a fast and simple way for developers and teams of all sizes to build, test, and deliver high-quality apps even more efficiently. Xcode Cloud can automatically build apps in the cloud to free up developers’ Macs for other tasks. Parallel testing in the cloud means developers can test on a simulated version of every current Apple device, then easily deploy a build of the app for internal testing, or deliver to external beta testers through TestFlight for instant feedback.

Apple also announced changes coming to augmented reality, including Object Capture, which offers an easy way to capture real-world objects and create photo-realistic models with the iPhone, iPad, and DSLR cameras. Swift Playgrounds 4, which allows users to build and distribute apps to the App Store from the ‌iPad‌, was also announced.

More information about these new developer features can be found in Apple's press release, and other announcements from WWDC can be found using our roundup.

Top Rated Comments

llirik Avatar
33 months ago
Xcloud Cloud lol

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dgdosen Avatar
33 months ago
I've watched the first 3 minutes and 57 seconds of the Platform State of the Union. With respect to Xcode Cloud, Apple is saying that I need to code, test, integrate and deliver all through Xcode.

First off - they say, right off the bat, this is only works for "The Apple Platform". While a org like BearApp might use this, because they're tightly coupled to the Apple platform, orgs like 1Password, Instagram, Evernote, Paper or any other org that has sights on multiple platforms (including the web?) will be introducing more complexity into their CI/CD process. I'm not saying it won't work, but it's kind of trying to sherlock other providers of these services - and those are providers that already work well on other platforms.

Second, they're saying this all needs to be done in Xcode, because context switching is a killer. Now if I'm slinging code, I want my code window easily accessible. And a test window, maybe a git window, maybe a window to my CI process, maybe a database view, maybe some streaming logs, maybe other windows. Now I'll agree it's context switching to 'take my eyes off my code' - but what's worse? Command tabbing through already open windows, or opening up some modal view in XCode and thus covering up my code.

Context switching is in the eye of the beholder.

I only have an hour and 9 minutes to go.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4487549 Avatar
32 months ago
Or continue selling / testing / trialing your apps outside the App Store where we can still install them on macOS (thank god).
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amartinez1660 Avatar
33 months ago

Xcode Cloud looks like Apple's way of saying - "We missed the boat on everything GitHub/GitLab, so please use our platform specific answer."
But does it mean that I don’t have to deal with local build machines running gitlab agents and monitoring git commits?
I’m actually quite curious about what the service offers to be honest
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple card 1

Apple Ending Apple Card Partnership With Goldman Sachs

Tuesday November 28, 2023 3:09 pm PST by
Apple is ending its credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple plans to stop working with Goldman Sachs in the next 12 to 15 months, and it is not yet clear if Apple has established a new partnership for the Apple Card. Apple and Goldman Sachs will dissolve their entire consumer partnership, including the Apple Card and the Apple Savings account....
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.2 Beta 4

Tuesday November 28, 2023 12:18 pm PST by
Apple is wrapping up development on iOS 17.2, with the update expected to come out in December. While we're getting to the end of the beta testing period, Apple is still tweaking features and adding new functionality. We've rounded up everything new in the fourth beta of iOS 17.2. Default Notification Sound Under Sounds & Haptics, there's a new "Default Alerts" section that allows you to ...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
Apple 5G Modem Feature Triad

Apple to Discontinue Custom 5G Modem Development, Claim Reports

Wednesday November 29, 2023 4:19 am PST by
Apple is discontinuing in-house modem development after several unsuccessful attempts to perfect its own custom 5G modem chip, according to unconfirmed reports coming out of Asia. According to the operator of news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, supply chain sources related to Apple's 5G modem departments claim that the company's attempts to develop its own modem have...
All New CarPlay Five New Features Article 2

What to Expect From All-New CarPlay, Still Listed as Coming 'Late 2023'

Tuesday November 28, 2023 7:44 am PST by
At WWDC in June 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, increased personalization, and more. Apple's website still says the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in "late 2023," but it has not shared...
Apple Logo

Apple Discontinued These 5 Products This Year

Monday November 27, 2023 7:03 am PST by
As the end of 2023 nears, now is a good opportunity to look back at some of the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Apple products discontinued in 2023 include the iPhone 13 mini, 13-inch MacBook Pro, MagSafe Battery Pack, MagSafe Duo Charger, and leather accessories. Also check out our lists of Apple products discontinued in 2022 and 2021. iPhone Mini ...
iOS 17

iOS 17.1.2 Update for iPhone Likely to Be Released This Week

Monday November 27, 2023 8:24 am PST by
Apple will likely release iOS 17.1.2 this week, based on mounting evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs in recent days. As a minor update, iOS 17.1.2 should be focused on bug fixes, but it's unclear exactly which issues might be addressed. Some users have continued to experience Wi-Fi issues on iOS 17.1.1, so perhaps iOS 17.1.2 will include the same fix for Wi-Fi...
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...