How to Distribute an iOS App with TestFlight

This page explains how to distribute an iOS app for testing using TestFlight with your Apple Developer Program account.

To distribute an iOS app via TestFlight, you must be enrolled in the paid Apple Developer Program. For more details, see About the Apple Developer Program.


Let's go through the steps required to distribute an iOS app using TestFlight.

Table of Contents
  1. What Is TestFlight?
  2. How to Create an iOS App Store Distribution Certificate
    1. Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on Mac
    2. Create an App Store Distribution Certificate
    3. Install the App Store Distribution Certificate on Mac
  3. How to Create an App ID for Your iOS App
    1. Set the Bundle Identifier in Xcode
    2. Create an App ID in Apple Developer
  4. How to Create an App Store Provisioning Profile
  5. How to Configure the App Store Provisioning Profile in Xcode
  6. How to Add Your iOS App in App Store Connect
  7. How to Upload an iOS App to App Store Connect with Xcode
  8. How to Distribute and Test an iOS App Using TestFlight
    1. Internal Testers vs. External Testers in TestFlight
    2. Add Testers in App Store Connect via Users and Access
    3. Register Internal Testers in App Store Connect TestFlight
    4. Install and Test the App with TestFlight on iOS Devices

What Is TestFlight?

TestFlight is Apple's official platform for beta testing iOS apps. It allows developers to distribute pre-release versions of their apps to testers and gather valuable feedback before publishing on the App Store.

To distribute apps via TestFlight, you must have an active Apple Developer Program account.


Developers upload their iOS apps to App Store Connect and invite testers. Testers install the TestFlight app from the App Store, where they can download and test the app.

TestFlight provides crash reporting and lets testers send direct feedback to developers.


Note: iOS apps distributed via TestFlight are valid for 90 days from the upload date to App Store Connect.

Compared to other distribution methods, TestFlight is relatively simple, making it especially useful for sharing apps during development or before final release.

Internal testers can access the app without review, while external testers require Apple's review process before distribution.


While Apple's site and Xcode UI may change over time, the fundamental steps remain the same. I hope this guide is helpful as you set up TestFlight distribution.