How to Test Your App with TestFlight

TestFlight is Apple's official beta testing platform that lets you install and test your iOS app on real devices before it goes live in the App Store. This guide walks you through the complete process from adding testers to interpreting test results.

In this article:

What is TestFlight
Adding users to App Store Connect
Setting up a TestFlight testing group
Installing and testing the app
What to look for when testing
Troubleshooting

What is TestFlight?

TestFlight is a free Apple app that allows you to install pre-release builds of your app on an iPhone or iPad. It's the best way to experience exactly what your customers will see when your app goes live.

Download TestFlight from the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/testflight/id899247664

Step 1: Add Testers to App Store Connect

Before someone can access your TestFlight build, they need to be added to your App Store Connect account.

Go to App Store Connect and log in
Select Users and Access
Click the + button to add a new user
Enter their name, email address, and set appropriate permissions
Click Invite

The invited user will receive an email to accept the invitation and set up their App Store Connect access.

Step 2: Set Up a TestFlight Testing Group

In App Store Connect, go to My Apps and select your app
Click the TestFlight tab in the top menu
Under Internal Testing, click the + button next to create a new group
Name the group (e.g., "App Store Connect Users" or "Internal Testers")
Click Create
Click the + button next to Testers within the group
Select the users you want to add and click Add
1. Note: Users must accept their invitation sent during Step 1 to finish their account creation before they can be added to a TestFlight group.

Note: Tapcart typically creates the testing group for you during setup. If you don't see a group, follow the steps above or ask your Implementation Specialist.

Step 3: Install and Test the App

Make sure TestFlight is installed on your iOS device (download link above)
Once you've been added as a tester, you'll receive an email invitation from TestFlight
Open the email on your iOS device and tap View in TestFlight
In TestFlight, tap Install next to your app
The app will download and appear on your home screen with an orange dot indicating it's a TestFlight build

What to Look For When Testing

Go beyond a quick glance and treat this as a real shopping session:

App launches without crashing
Home screen, collections, and product pages load correctly
Navigation between tabs and screens works smoothly
Complete a test purchase through the full checkout flow
Push notifications are received (if opt-in prompt appears)
Custom Blocks or integrations render correctly
App icon and launch screen match your branding
Account creation and login work properly

Troubleshooting

TestFlight invite not received

Check your spam/junk folder for an email from Apple
Confirm the email address matches the one added in App Store Connect
The app must have a TestFlight build uploaded; if no build exists, no invite is sent

Build expired

TestFlight builds expire after 90 days. If the build has expired, you'll need to request a new build from the Tapcart team.

Can't install the app

Ensure your iOS device meets the minimum version requirement for the build
Ensure you have sufficient storage space on your device
Try force-quitting TestFlight and reopening it

Android testing

TestFlight is iOS-only. For Android testing, your Implementation Specialist will provide an internal test track link or a direct APK download link.

How to Test your App with TestFlight