Glossary · Hosting & DevOps
TestFlight
Overview
What TestFlight is
TestFlight is Apple's official service for distributing beta versions of apps before they go live on the App Store. It is part of App Store Connect, and testers install a free TestFlight app to receive builds. Developers can invite up to 100 internal team members who hold an App Store Connect role, and up to 10,000 external testers by email or a public link.
How the testing process works
You upload a build to App Store Connect, and internal testers can try it almost immediately. Builds for external testers go through a lightweight Apple beta review first. Each build stays available for up to 90 days, and testers can submit feedback and screenshots directly from the TestFlight app, which developers see alongside crash and usage data.
Why it matters for mobile app projects
Shipping a mobile app straight to the public App Store is risky: bugs reach every user at once, and fixes take review time. TestFlight lets a team validate a release with real users on real devices first. In mobile app development and ongoing app maintenance and support, it is the standard staging step for iOS, catching device-specific issues before a public launch.
Where we use it
Related Zen in Tech services
How our team puts TestFlight to work in real projects.
FAQ
TestFlight — common questions
Is TestFlight free?
Yes. TestFlight is free to use, but it requires membership in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year, to upload and distribute builds.
How many testers can TestFlight have?
TestFlight supports up to 100 internal testers who hold an App Store Connect role, and up to 10,000 external testers invited by email or a public link. External builds require a brief Apple beta review before they are distributed.
TestFlight vs. Firebase App Distribution?
TestFlight is Apple-only and integrates tightly with App Store Connect and the eventual App Store submission, while Firebase App Distribution is cross-platform for iOS and Android and popular for internal QA. Teams building for both platforms often use Firebase for early internal builds and TestFlight for iOS beta rounds.
Keep exploring
Related terms
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