Skip to main content

Apple introduces new ‘TestFlight Public Link’ feature for app developer beta testing

During a session at WWDC this week, Apple detailed a notable new improvement for how developers test their applications via TestFlight…

Apple announced a new feature called TestFlight Public Link, which relates to how developers invite people to test upcoming versions of their applications.

Up until now, developers would have to manually invite testers using their email address. This process, Apple explained, can be cumbersome for developers who invite a lot of users to try their new app, or when dealing with people who don’t want to share their email addresses.

With the new TestFlight Public Link feature, however, developers can create a unique URL to share with people. This URL represents an “open invitation” for people to join the TestFlight beta of an application. When a user clicks the TestFlight Public Link, they will be taken directly to the app’s TestFlight page to download the beta.

For developers, TestFlight Public Link creation is relatively straight forward. They can create the link using App Store Connect and choose which build they want that group of testers to access to. If the developer wants to release a new build of their app, they simply add the build to the group via App Store Connect.

TestFlight Public Link supports up to 10,000 testers, but developers can control how many testers they actually allow. By setting a “Tester Count,” the public link will cap out at a certain number of testers. Developers can also disable the public link at anytime, immediately preventing new testers from joining.

A new App Store Connect API will allow developers to:

  • Create groups
  • Assign builds to groups
  • Manage public links
  • Add and remove testers
  • Update test information

As we noted earlier this week, Apple has rebranded its iTunes Connect Platform to App Store Connect. Watch the full “What’s New In App Store Connect” session from WWDC right here.


Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications