Before a new version of one of our apps reaches the App Store, we share it with testers through TestFlight, Apple’s beta testing app. Testing is free, and takes a few minutes to set up.
What you need
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 16 or later.
- An Apple Account signed in to the App Store.
- An invitation from us: a public link that starts with
https://testflight.apple.com/join/, or an email.
Join the beta
Install TestFlight
Open the App Store on the iPhone or iPad you’ll test on, search for TestFlight and install it.
Open the invitation
Public link: open the link on the same device. The page opens TestFlight.
Email: open the email on the same device and tap View in TestFlight. If the email gives you a redeem code instead, open TestFlight, tap Redeem and enter the code.
Accept and install
In TestFlight, tap Accept, then Install. If you already have the App Store version, the beta replaces it on this device.
Open the app
Open it from TestFlight or the Home Screen. An orange dot next to the app’s name means you’re running a beta.
If TestFlight says the beta is full or isn’t accepting testers, all the places for that link are taken. Write to us and we’ll let you know when more open.
Keep the beta up to date
When you first install a beta, TestFlight asks whether to turn on Automatic Updates. Turn it on and new versions install by themselves. Otherwise, open TestFlight and tap Update when a new build appears.
Each build works for up to 90 days. TestFlight shows how many days are left under the app’s name. When a build expires the app won’t open: install a newer build from TestFlight, or switch back to the App Store version.
Send us feedback
Feedback is the reason we run a beta, and we read all of it.
- With a screenshot: while using the app, take a screenshot, tap the preview, then tap Done › Share Beta Feedback. Add a comment and send.
- Without a screenshot: open TestFlight, choose the app and tap Send Beta Feedback. You can write up to 4,000 characters.
- After a crash: TestFlight may ask whether to send the crash details. Please say yes, and add what you were doing when it happened.
Good to know
- Purchases inside a beta are free and don’t carry over to the App Store version.
- Subscriptions in a beta renew quickly, as often as once a day, so you can test renewals.
- You can install the beta on up to 30 devices with the same Apple Account.
- Apple receives the feedback and crash reports you send through TestFlight, along with your name and email address. Testers who joined by public link can choose not to share their email address with us.
Stop testing
Open TestFlight, choose the app, open its Information page and tap Stop Testing. Then delete the beta and install the App Store version. If you joined by email, the unsubscribe link in the invitation also removes you from the list.
Questions? Write to hi@rootstudio.io.