TestFlight Now Lets Developers Set Testing Criteria and Include App Screenshots

by

Apple today updated its TestFlight app, adding new features that are designed to streamline the app beta testing process. TestFlight is the app that developers can use to distribute their app to beta testers ahead of when the app is released.

New TestFlight
The app has also been redesigned on the iPhone and iPad.

Invites to beta test an app include an app description, plus developers can opt to include screenshots and information about their app category.

To narrow down potential testers, developers can set tester criteria that must be met in order to join a beta. Testers who decide not to join a particular beta can provide feedback to a developer explaining why. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update includes several key improvements to enhance your testing experience:

  • Invitations include a beta app description and developers can now also choose to include screenshots and their app category.
  • Developers can now set tester criteria you must meet in order to join a beta.
  • You can share with developers why you decided not to join a beta through a new feedback option.

Additionally, this update includes stability improvements and bug fixes.

TestFlight is a free app for ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Mac, and Vision Pro, and it can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: TestFlight

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Top Rated Comments

Seoras Avatar
Seoras
17 months ago
App developer here. Trying to get my users to use test flight - what a nightmare. No one wants to touch it.

Even the ones who asked for a feature or a bug fix. "Oh yeah sure I'll test it." I send them the invite. No install.
I chase them up. No reply.
I eventually release it. It doesnt work right or crashes unexpectedly.
They re-appear and complain, like they are software development experts, "why didn't properly test your software you #$%..."
For 99.9% of users, testing is my problem and beta testing is someone else's (Some mythical unicorn user(s)).
The only thing I use testflight, and not by choice, is to test it myself on myself or immediate family members at home.

So new test flight features, all very nice I'm sure, but try fixing the users please.
Maybe just integrate TestFlight into iOS so they don't need to install anything?

EDIT: the fact that I'm the only one to comment here speaks volumes about Apple user interest in TestFlight.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
loopy123
17 months ago

App developer here. Trying to get my users to use test flight - what a nightmare. No one wants to touch it.

Even the ones who asked for a feature or a bug fix. "Oh yeah sure I'll test it." I send them the invite. No install.
I chase them up. No reply.
I eventually release it. It doesnt work right or crashes unexpectedly.
They re-appear and complain, like they are software development experts, "why didn't properly test your software you #$%..."
For 99.9% of users, testing is my problem and beta testing is someone else's (Some mythical unicorn user(s)).
The only thing I use testflight, and not by choice, is to test it myself on myself or immediate family members at home.

So new test flight features, all very nice I'm sure, but try fixing the users please.
Maybe just integrate TestFlight into iOS so they don't need to install anything?

EDIT: the fact that I'm the only one to comment here speaks volumes about Apple user interest in TestFlight.
Another developer here.... It's really hard to get people to beta test software, no matter what platform they are on. People say they are interested , then never install or run the beta software. And then complain when it has bugs.
Motivating people to test is tricky - they need some motivation.

TestFlight seems to work perfectly well, so I am not sure there is any purpose in complaining about it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
grantishere
17 months ago

App developer here. Trying to get my users to use test flight - what a nightmare. No one wants to touch it.
Same here. No one will use the TestFlight apps. If they had an easier integration such as not having to go through the app store too add TestFlight to a device, it would be more streamline.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
gk_brown
17 months ago
They should focus on fixing "App Store Connect" first. Forget about the tester experience - the developer experience is terrible.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
TychoX
17 months ago
I feel like TestFlight on iPadOS now has a significant setback. Before, I could easily see my list of TestFlight apps, and their unique status (Update, Install, Open). Now, all of that at-a-glance information is gone. You have to individually tap on each app to see if it needs an update or not.

Not a fan.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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