Creating a New Release
To start a new release, click "Create New Release" from the Release Manager sidebar. This opens the release creation form where you'll configure everything about your update — from build type and version number to app listing details and screenshots.
At any point, your progress is automatically saved. If you close the page and come back, your form data will be restored.
Choosing a Build Type
Build Type | iOS | Android | Description |
Production | App Store release | Google Play release | Pushes your app live to the store |
Development | TestFlight build | APK download | For internal testing only |
If a platform has an account blocker (e.g., an unsigned agreement), the Production option will be disabled for that platform. For Android, APK builds remain available even when production is blocked.
Choosing a Release Type
Next, choose how your build should be submitted:
Manual — You control when the release goes live after it's approved
Automatic — The release goes live as soon as it's approved by Apple or Google
Automatic release is only available for Production builds. If you've selected TestFlight or APK, the Automatic option will be disabled with a message: "Switch to Build Type: Production to enable automatic submission."
Selecting Target Platforms
Choose which platforms to include in this release — App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android), or both. At least one must be selected. If a platform is blocked, it will be unavailable as a target.
Updates to the App Listing
Branding Assets
Upload your app's visual assets. These are set per platform, so iOS and Android can have different assets.
Asset | Required Size | Format | Max File Size |
App Icon | 1024 × 1024 px | JPG | 10 MB |
Launch Screen | 1125 × 2436 px | JPG | 10 MB |
Placeholder Image | 750 × 750 px | JPG | 10 MB |
Each asset has a drag-and-drop uploader. You'll see a preview after uploading, and an error if dimensions don't match.
App Listing
This is the information customers see on your app's store page. All listing fields are per platform — you can customize them separately for iOS and Android.
Field | Max Length | Required |
App Title | 30 characters | Yes |
App Subtitle / Tagline | 30 characters | Yes |
Primary Category | — | Yes |
Secondary Category | — | Yes |
Keywords | At least 1 | Yes |
App Description | 4,000 characters | Yes (min 10 characters) |
Screenshots
Requirement | iOS | Android |
Minimum | 3 | 3 |
Maximum | 8 | 8 |
Format | JPEG only | JPEG only |
Dimensions | 1242 × 2688 px | 1444 × 2880 or 1242 × 2688 px |
Max file size | 10 MB | 8 MB |
Auto-import: If your credentials are connected, the Release Manager will automatically fetch your current screenshots from App Store Connect or Google Play the first time you visit the form. You can then add, remove, or drag to reorder them. If auto-import doesn't work, you'll see a message explaining why — but you can still upload screenshots manually using the upload area.
Business Information
These URLs are shared across both platforms (all optional but recommended):
Marketing URL
Support URL
Privacy Policy URL
Terms of Service URL
Version and Build Info
Platform | Version Format | Increment Logic | Example |
iOS | Decimal (X.Y) | +0.1 | 1.0 → 1.1 → 1.2 |
Android | Whole number | +1 | 1 → 2 → 3 |
Your new version must be higher than the current live version. The form validates this in real time. If a build is currently in progress, version fields are locked and a banner appears: "A build is in progress. Fields are locked."
Release Notes (What's New)
Platform | Character Limit |
iOS (App Store) | 4,000 characters |
Android (Google Play) | 500 characters |
A character counter tracks your progress. At 90% of the limit, the counter turns yellow. At the limit, it turns red with "Character limit reached."
Submitting Test Builds
TestFlight Testers (iOS Development Builds Only)
When you select a TestFlight build for iOS, a testers panel appears where you can manage beta testing:
Beta Groups — Create and switch between tester groups using tabs
Add Testers — Add testers by email or select from your App Store Connect team members
Public Link — Toggle a shareable link that lets anyone join your TestFlight beta (with optional tester limit)
APK Distribution (Android Development Builds Only)
When you select an APK build for Android, a distribution panel appears:
Before the build completes: A message explaining that a signed APK will be generated and a download link will appear once it's ready
After the build completes: A download URL you can copy or open directly to distribute to testers
APK builds are for manual distribution only — they are not published to Google Play.
Submit Release
When you're ready, click "Submit Release" at the bottom of the page. The button is disabled if no target platform is selected or required fields are incomplete. If all platforms are blocked, the button changes to "View Blockers" and opens a modal showing what needs to be resolved.
Submission Process
Once you've filled out the release form, here's what happens when you hit "Submit Release".
Pre-Submission Checklist
Before the release is sent, the Release Manager runs a series of checks automatically.
Check | What It Validates | Error Message |
Version number | New version must be greater than the current live version | "[Platform] version must be greater than current version ([version])" |
Screenshots (iOS) | At least 3 screenshots required if iOS is targeted | "Please upload at least 3 iOS screenshots" |
Build in review (iOS) | No existing iOS build can be in Waiting for Review, In Review, or Pending Developer Release | "Cannot create new release. Please remove your current App Store submission (currently in review) before creating a new update." |
Required fields | All required fields must be complete for each targeted platform | Button disabled with tooltip |
What Happens After You Submit
The button changes to "Submitting..." and is disabled to prevent duplicate submissions
Your form data is sent to the backend
On success: You'll see a "Release created successfully!" toast notification, then you're redirected to the dashboard to track your build
On failure: You'll see an error toast with details, and stay on the form to fix the issue
Tracking Your Build After Submission
After a successful submission, head to the Build Progress card on your dashboard. Your new build will appear there with real-time status updates. The dashboard polls for updates every 15 seconds while builds are active.
Build Progress & Statuses
After you submit a release, the Build Progress card on your dashboard tracks each build in real time. You don't need to refresh the page — it updates automatically.
Build Statuses
Status | Badge Color | What It Means |
Building | Blue | Your app is being compiled, signed, and packaged |
In Review | Amber | Apple or Google is reviewing your submission |
Succeeded | Teal/Green | Build completed successfully and submitted to the store |
Failed | Red | Something went wrong during the build (click for details) |
How Progress Works
Build progress is estimated based on elapsed time using a ~20-minute build window. Progress is capped at 95% until the build actually completes — the final jump to 100% happens when the system confirms success.
When a Build Succeeds
The progress bar fills to 100% and turns green. Click the card to open the Build Details modal, which shows the full build pipeline, build details, source code info, and a link to view in App Store Connect or Play Console.
When a Build Fails
The progress bar turns red and a "View Details" link appears. The Build Details modal includes a user-friendly error message, suggested next steps, and a "Get Help" button linking to the Building and Deploying Releases help article.
Build Timeouts
If a build runs for more than 30 minutes without completing, it's automatically marked as failed: "Build timed out after 30 minutes. The build may have failed in Bitrise without sending a webhook notification." Try submitting a new release. If timeouts persist, reach out to support.
Auto-Refresh Intervals
Condition | Poll Frequency |
Active builds in progress | Every 15 seconds |
No active builds | Every 60 seconds |
Need Help?
Please reach out to us through LiveChat on your Tapcart Dashboard or email us at [email protected]!