If we are using TestFlight Beta Testing Tool for testing, It has a beta app review stage where the the Apple team performs the review of the app.
If the app gets passed in the app beta review, what are the chances that the app gets cleared in the final app review from the Apple so that it can be published to the AppStore.
Is the beta app review really helpful?
Just want to share recent experience, my app recent built passed TestFlight beta review (usually takes a day or so ) but it failed apple submission process (after 8 days in waiting).
They both seems to be completely independent review process, and TestFlight beta review process seems to be have no effect on default apple submission review process.
You are confused with the TestFlight beta review process.
TestFlight Beta Testing is to release a beta version of App to testers (which you can pre-register their email in iTunes Connect), not to Apple. Quoted from the official documentation (the reference link at the bottom):
With TestFlight beta testing, you can distribute prerelease builds of
your app to testers to collect feedback and prepare your app for
release in the App Store. TestFlight beta testing is optional; you can
submit your app for review without using it. However, it’s easy to do,
free, and a valuable way to improve your app before releasing it in
the App Store. TestFlight beta testing in iTunes Connect is available
only for iOS apps. You can enable TestFlight beta testing for up to 10
apps at one time in your developer account. See TestFlight Beta
Testing in the developer portal.
Reference: TestFlight Beta Testing (Optional)
Related
We have an alpha (pre-beta) version of an app in development that we would like to distribute to five external testers via TestFlight, so they can give us feedback as we develop.
We uploaded the build and added our external testers. Upon doing so, the TestFlight build was marked Waiting for Review, as explained in this answer.
Then it got rejected. Now, when trying to Submit again, it's asking for everything needed to submit to the App Store (screenshots, etc).
This is a beta - not ready for the App Store.
How do I resubmit for a TestFlight beta review?
You have to compile another build with different number and upload it again.
But before doing that i have to tell you: an external testing with TestFlight requires a mostly complete app.
Apple TestFlight documents for external testing:
When you add the first build of your app to a group, the build gets sent to beta app review to make sure it follows the App Store Review Guidelines.
This means you have to pass App Store Review Guidelines which is basically means your app should be good enough to release in the AppStore.
Is it possible to submit a prototype app to the app store while still developing the finished product?
According to the App Store Review Guidelines: no.
2.2 Beta Testing
Demos, betas, and trial versions of your app don’t belong on the App Store – use TestFlight instead. Any app submitted for beta distribution via TestFlight should be intended for public distribution and should comply with the App Review Guidelines. Note, however, that apps using TestFlight cannot be distributed to testers in exchange for compensation of any kind, including as a reward for crowd-sourced funding. Significant updates to your beta build should be submitted to TestFlight App Review before being distributed to your testers. To learn more, visit the TestFlight Beta Testing.
But if you call it a finished product and if it's as good as a finished product then yes. If you're marketing as a prototype, then refer to Apple's message above.
Yes.You can submit your app to app store. But, you want to make sure that you want to publish your App to Normal user or Not. IF you want to distribute for External tester then no need to send application for Approval. You can upload .ipa file and distribute to External Testers.
Having submitted a beta version of my IOS App trough Itunes Connect and Testflight to INTERNAL users, and selected it for testing to EXTERNAL users, it displays "waiting beta app verification" (from Internal users) and I don't know how to release the app for EXTERNAL User. (see pict enclosed).
It did worked on past version but I don't know how ... times, upload from Internal users, approval from them (but don't know how).
Need to re-test then submit my app quickly, any help welcome !
NOTE : Apple displays help on old itune connect versions, and don't see where this can be done. See here
Apple says:
Upload a build for the app. See Uploading a Build for an App.
Add App Description and What to Test to the build. This step is optional for releasing your builds to internal testers, but required
when submitting your app to Beta App Review for external testing. See
Add Metadata for your Prerelease App.
Distribute the app to internal testers.
Submit the app for Beta App Review, and distribute it to External users.
You need to have every build reviewed from apple for distribution to external testers.
I'm not sure how it worked earlier, but for now
All builds distributed to external testers must pass through an Apple review. While these reviews do not fall into the same queue as those submitted for App Store release, they can take time.
In other words, you have to use button "submit for beta app review" ;)
You can find guides here: Ray Wenderlich or kyleclegg.com
Follow-up question to: this question
I submitted version 3.4 of my app for app store review. Then I enabled beta testing for that same build. Apple has (imo incorrectly) rejected that beta review build, while my app store submission still says "Waiting for Review".
My question is: does the beta rejection in any way affect the app store submission? In other words, can I ignore the beta rejection and plunge ahead with the app store build? (I don't want to wait 2 weeks only to find out that their web-site does not correctly handle this case.)
Apple's review process applies to all beta builds sent through their TestFlight service on iTunes Connect. Your build has failed this review process.
The AppStore process is identical. Your build will also fail there (if they even let you submit for review).
Only a single data-point, but I have had exactly the same binary fail the Testflight Beta review and pass the full app store review. Both were in review in parallel (I had a good release candidate but wanted to use the Beta process to get a version out quicker for some additional translation testing).
In this specific example, the app was slow(ish) to start (it downloads a lot of data for offline use) and I think the Testflight Beta reviewer was just less patient!
I received a message from Apple indicating that External Testers feature is now available in Itunes Connect. I followed the next steps:
Added a new External Tester.
I switched on the Beta Testing option, and sent to Beta App Review.
Filled the form and sent.
When I open the Testflight app there are no builds for testing and the person who I added as External Tester didn't receive any e-mail.
Did I forget any step? Am I doing something wrong?
For the external beta testing, you need to pass the Beta app review. The app will be available to testflight and External testers will get mails only after your app is approved for beta testing.
Apps made available to external testers require a Beta App Review and
must comply with the full App Store Review Guidelines before testing
can begin. A review is required for new versions of your app that
contain significant changes. Up to 10 apps can be tested at a time,
internally or externally.
Reference : Beta testing
Image from iTunes Connect, when you create a beta testing.