What Is TestFlight?

TestFlight is a tool for end-to-end iOS app testing to help ensure a successful end-user experience. A pre-launch app test is essential since it can unmask bugs and errors that may otherwise slow down or impair your app's performance. Beta testing is necessary because it demonstrates how real users will interact with your app, which can sometimes differ from how your team anticipated and tested it during development. You can also use beta testing to gain valuable user feedback, helping you improve or tweak your app before releasing it to a larger audience. 

Explore the features of Apple’s beta testing tool, Testflight, and how it differs from other beta testing tools to learn more about it and assess whether it’s the right tool for your next project.

Read more: How to Become a Beta Tester: Career Guide

What is TestFlight? 

TestFlight is Apple’s native tool for beta testing iOS apps. Large-scale external testing, or beta testing, is a process where you can release your app to a select group of users who can provide feedback, look for errors in the code, and generally prove whether or not your product will meet approval in your target market. TestFlight offers a solution for beta testing before releasing applications in the Apple store. 

Other than being a native solution for iOS, TestFlight also stands out because it allows you to conduct external and internal testing. You can use TestFlight to ensure quality among your team of developers and release it to groups of individual users.

What is beta testing?

Beta testing refers to the stage of development where you allow a group of users who are not involved with the development process to use your app. These beta testers use your application in a real-world environment, providing critical insight into how users will ultimately interact with your application and where you can improve your design. 

While developing your app, your development team will perform automated and internal testing. Internal testing refers to members of your development team testing your code’s functionality. While all testing is essential to application development, beta testing gives you feedback from your target market to determine how well your application is likely to perform after release. The exercise reveals flaws that past developers or testing teams have not discovered while the product is still in a relatively controlled environment that you can correct before a wider release. At its core, beta testing helps secure raw feedback about an app’s functionality, performance, and usability. 

Read more: What Is an iOS App Developer? A Guide

Public vs. private, open vs. closed beta testing

You can choose between two main beta testing approaches: public (open) and private (closed). Both methods provide you with honest user feedback in a real environment, but the two methods differ in who you allow into your pool of beta testers. 

• In open testing, you invite anyone from the public to test your app. It can include a larger group of members, and you can use it to generate interest in a product by offering a “preview” or “early access.” If you invite influencers to test your product, they may be willing to positively review your product and help create more excitement within your target market for the full release. 

• A closed beta test is a smaller, more controlled environment where a select group of prescreened users test the application. Many private beta testers have to apply for the position or be otherwise chosen by the company, such as an exclusive group of early adopters or premium customers. 

Sometimes, a closed beta test is preferable when the developers want feedback about an application’s features but don’t want to release too much information to the target market before they finalize the product. In other cases, companies will choose a private beta test to gather feedback from a specific market segment. For example, a company might select its beta testers based on their purchase history. 

External vs. internal testers 

TestFlight allows you to invite up to 100 internal and 10,000 external testers to test each app. Adding external testers is as simple as sharing an invitation link or adding them via email. Internal testers must be registered with App Store Connect and designated as Admin, Marketing, Account Holder, Developer, or App Manager.

Beta testing tools

TestFlight is Apple’s only beta testing tool, but it’s not the only tool you can use to beta test applications that you will later distribute on iOS devices. Other potential solutions include TestFairy, Centercode, Instabug, and BetaTesting.com.

• TestFairy: TestFairy is a mobile app and beta testing platform that can distribute apps on iOS and Android devices. It includes options for internal and external testing and integrates with additional tools like CI/CD, Trello, and Slack.

• Centercode: Centercode provides many types of user testing, including alpha and beta testing, product launch testing, and competitive testing. This platform manages the delivery of your app to users and provides tools to connect you with users for your beta test. 

• Instabug: Instabug is a platform to help you gather feedback at all stages of product development, including beta testing. Instabug also includes a wide range of integrations with platforms like Asana, GitHub, and Slack to add functionality.

• BetaTesting.com: BetaTesting.com is specific to beta testing. It connects you with potential testers and offers the tools to conduct robust user tests. BetaTesting.com is a good choice when you don’t need a whole functionality platform but want to focus on comprehensive beta testing. 

Pros and cons of using TestFlight

Testflight is a natural choice for many iOS developers because it is the only tool that offers an integrated delivery and beta testing environment, allowing you to run beta testing through the App Store seamlessly. It is also free with your Apple Developer membership, so it may be a cost-effective solution for your beta testing needs. 

At the same time, TestFlight is not a comprehensive user testing tool and doesn’t offer the suite of features you may find in other beta testing tools.

Benefits

• Practical: Testflight allows for integrated delivery and beta testing for iOS devices.

• Free: TestFlight is a free tool for Apple Developers.

• Adaptable: TestFlight offers solutions for both internal and external testing. 

Disadvantages 

• Limited functionality: TestFlight is designed for iOS and doesn’t include the same features you might find in other beta testing tools. 

• Approval delays: If you introduce major changes to your beta build, you may need to go through Apple’s 48-hour beta app review process. 

Who uses TestFlight? 

TestFlight is exclusive to subscribers of the Apple Developer Program, a required program for anyone who wants to distribute apps on iOS devices. If you’d like a career that works with beta testing programs like TestFlight, a few job titles to choose from include iOS developer, product manager, and CX/UX researcher. 

1. iOS developer

Average annual salary (US): $99,203 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 25 percent [2]

Education requirements: To become an iOS developer, you may need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer information technology or a related field. 

As an iOS developer, you will develop software projects for iOS devices. In this role, you may work with a team of other developers, and your exact tasks will vary. You may write code, test code and troubleshoot problems, maintain active applications, develop new features, and more. 

Read more: What Is an iOS App Developer? A Guide

2. Product manager

Average annual salary (US): $123,294 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 15 percent [4]

Education requirements: To become a product manager, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree in business management or a related field. 

As a product manager, you will be responsible for products from ideation to delivery, helping to shape product quality, functionality, and, ultimately, how you will market them to consumers. You may use TestFlight if the product you manage is a software application specific to iOS devices. 

3. CX/UX researcher

Average annual salary (US): $88,717 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 16 percent [6]

Education requirements: To become a customer experience or user experience (CX/UX) researcher, you will likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or a related field. 

As a CX or UX researcher, you will help companies gather data and evaluate how people feel about their interactions with a company’s brand, products, or services. In either of these roles, you might use TestFlight to conduct beta testing when helping a company understand how consumers will interact with their iOS application. 

Did you know? TestFlight is a product of Burstly Inc. Formerly, the platform facilitated beta testing of both iOS and Android applications. Apple’s acquisition of Burstly in 2014 led to the discontinuation of TestFlight’s support for Android. 

How to start beta testing with TestFlight

App creation takes many steps, but beta testing with TestFlight is a simple process. After you upload your beta application, you can invite users to start beta testing. 

Step 1: Upload your beta build

The first step is to sign up for the Apple Developer Program. Once you receive approval, you may upload your beta build to the App Store Connect. You can use TestFlight on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

Step 2: Invite testers to TestFlight

Once you’re through with the development of your iOS app or App Clip, you may invite beta testers for testing in one of the following two ways:

Email

This approach is particularly useful if you’re already acquainted with a trusted group of external testers. Simply send them an email invitation with a link to download and install the beta version of your app or App Clip.

Public link

You can use public links to reach new beta testers, which may be advantageous if you’re a beginner. This is easy, too. Access the TestFlight page of your app, select an existing group, and activate the “Enable Public Link” option. You can share public links on social media, messaging apps, email campaigns, or any other platform you choose.

Beyond TestFlight: Build app development skills on Coursera

TestFlight is a practical tool for beta testing iOS applications. If you want to learn more about creating applications specifically for iOS devices, consider taking the Meta iOS Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera. This program includes topics like iOS mobile app development, UX design, React basics, and more. Upon completion, gain a Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.