The TestFlight page covers everything between "the build finished processing" and "testers have it": which groups get which build, the What to Test notes, Beta App Review, and the feedback testers send back.
Open an app, then pick TestFlight under App in the left sidebar. A segmented control at the top right switches between Builds, Groups, Info and Feedback.
What you need#
- A connected team (see Add your first team) whose API key can manage TestFlight.
- At least one uploaded build. Upload one from the Build tab (Builds) or from Xcode.
Builds#
The top row shows Total, Testing (builds currently in internal or external testing), First build and Latest. Below it, builds are grouped by version and platform, newest first. Each row shows the build number, when it was uploaded, a status, and how many days are left before it expires (shown in orange in the last week).
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Processing / Processing failed | Apple is still processing the upload, or processing failed. |
| Needs export compliance | Apple is waiting for the encryption answer. |
| Ready to test | Processed; not yet in any testing. |
| Testing internally / Testing externally | Shared with an internal or external group. |
| Waiting for review / In beta review | Submitted to Beta App Review. |
| Approved for external / Beta rejected | Beta App Review's decision. |
| Expired | Testers can no longer install it. |
The right pane shows a Before beta review checklist for the open build (or the newest one): the build has finished processing, export compliance is answered, What to Test is written, the Beta App Review contact is filled in, and a demo account is given when one is required. A Beta App Review row shows where the build stands. Click a row to go to the part of the page that fixes it. The checklist is what Apple needs before Submit for Beta App Review will succeed.
Click a build to expand it:
- What to Test: type the notes testers see with this build and click Save. Slipway saves them in the app's primary language.
- Groups: every group shows as a chip. Click a chip to add this build to that group or remove it. Internal groups get the build right away. External groups need Beta App Review first.
- Mark as exempt from export compliance appears when the build is waiting for that answer. It tells Apple the build doesn't use non-exempt encryption. Only click it if that's true.
- Submit for Beta App Review appears when the build is ready to submit. After you submit, the review state shows next to the button.
- Expire Build… stops testers from installing the build. It asks you to confirm because it can't be undone.
Groups#
Every beta group for the app is listed with an Internal or External label, a Public link label if the group has one turned on, and its tester count once you expand it.
- Create a group: type a name in New group name and click Create Group. Slipway sends only the name, which App Store Connect treats as an external group.
- Add testers: expand a group, paste one or more emails into Add testers — emails, comma separated, and click Add. For external groups, Apple emails each new tester an invitation.
- Remove takes a tester out of the group. Resend re-sends the invitation to testers who are still invited or not yet invited.
- Public link (external groups only): turn it on to get a link anyone can use to join. Click Copy to put the link on the clipboard. Testers who joined this way show via public link.
- Tester feedback (external groups only): turns in-app feedback on or off for the group.
- Delete Group… (external groups only): testers in the group lose access to builds shared with it.
Note — Before testers in an external group can install anything, the group needs a beta app description (on Info) and a build approved by Beta App Review.
Info#
Beta App Information is what testers see in the TestFlight app, per language. Use the language picker to switch languages, or + to add one. Fill in the Description (up to 4,000 characters, with a live counter), Feedback email, Marketing URL and Privacy policy URL, then click Save. External testing needs a description in the app's primary language.
Beta App Review Information tells Apple's beta reviewers who to contact: First name, Last name, Email, Phone, and Notes for review. If testers have to sign in, turn on The app needs an account to sign in and enter a Demo account and Password. Click Save. The button stays disabled until App Store Connect has created review details for the app.
Feedback#
Screenshot feedback and crash reports from testers are merged into one list, newest first. Each row shows the tester's comment, device, OS version and when it arrived.
- Screenshot feedback shows a thumbnail. Open in studio switches to the Screenshots tab.
- Crash reports show a warning icon. View log copies the crash log to your clipboard so you can paste it into a file or symbolicate it.
Tips#
- Builds expire 90 days after upload. Watch the orange "expires in" label and upload a fresh build before your testers are left without one.
- Internal groups are for people on your App Store Connect team. External testers go in external groups.
- Errors from Apple (for example, adding an email that can't be invited) show as a message at the bottom of the window. Fix the input and try again.