How To Test App With Live Users- Beta iTunes

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Beta iTunes
An app is not called successful, as long as it does not provide the seamless experience to its users.
I know I am not talking of something unusual and creative here, and you all must be aware with the facts that are involved with the successful mobile app. But one of the key factors which are often taken for granted and sends the jitters of frustration to the app developers and the app owners respectively, and that factor is Testing.

But testing is opted by every app development company, what’s new are you talking even about???
I knew this question is much asked and much answered too, but one factor which is often been taken for granted that is Beta Test for your iPhone mobile app.

What is Beta Test for your iPhone app??

Hmmm, I would like to call the beta test as one of the many but significant steps in your app release cycle.

But Why ???

Yes, the reasons are many but due to constraints of time I would like to address only the one which has the maximum worth and that suggests that when an app is tested on the built-in stimulators or on the personal devices, there are certain bugs which remain saved in their cocoon and come out in fully grown from when this app is served to the users.

And this same set of bugs can be identified and worked upon when the app runs through the beta test. With the TestFlight, you can invite users to test your apps and receive their valuable feedback on your app and make it an impeccable piece before it gets released on the App Store.

HOW IT HELPS???

The process of beta testing allows a limited set of users on your mobile app, who are the potential app users, such as blog followers, colleagues, friends and family members.
The concept of the beta testing is very simple, which lets a small group of users access your app, test it and give the valuable feedback.

The process of beta testing involves Internal Tester & External Testers and Groups.
Within the Internal Tester, the app can be tested by up to 25 members and each of the members can test on up to 30 devices.

On External Testers and Groups, you can invite up to 10,000 external testers. They can be from different groups, who would be sharing the different builds with each group, and you can bifurcate the features you want to get checked specifically.

What You Have To Keep In Mind???

Before letting the external testers to test your app, the app must be submitted to Apple for review, just the way it gets done for the normal App Store submission.
Once Apple approves it, you can proceed further with the external testers to test your app.
As far as the internal testers are concerned they get instantly notified as soon as the new builds are uploaded and processed within iTunes Connect.

How You Can Control The Internal Tester Accessibility
Click on Users and Roles section in iTunes Connect
Click the + button to add a new user
Fill in the new user info, using the email address and simply click Next
You can assign a role to the new user
You can select to limit access to a single app via the Apps drop-down, or leave the default All Apps access
You can also get the assistance with App Manager for assigning the roles and click Save

How New User Can Access
iTunes Connect would send an invitation to the new user.
The new user needs to verify his or her email address.
Go to inbox for the new user’s email address and access the email entitled Welcome New iTunes Connect User and click activate your account.

Now once the internal beta tester is created, the very next step involved is to invite the tester to test your latest build.

How to Start Beta Testing (Internal Testers)
The process of beta testing is very simple and you need to follow only a few steps, like:
Go to the My Apps section on the iTunes Connect
Click on your app and select the Activity tab
Click the TestFlight tab
It would come with a yellow warning sign next to the build, click the warning sign and complete the required steps
On completing the build status would reflect Ready to Test
Now, you must click Add iTunes Connect Users on the left side menu
It will give a huge list of your internal testers. Pick the one you would like to proceed with and click Add

How to Start Beta Testing (External Testers)
Click on Test Information in the left side menu
Fill the required information; Beta App Description, Feedback Email, Contact Information
On completed details, click on Save button
Now the very next step, click on Add External Testers in the left side menu.
Here, iTunes Connect would ask you to create a new testing group. You can make the group as per your preference.
On making the group, you can start adding external testers to it
Click Add Testers in the pop-up
Add their email addresses, first and last names of any external testers and simply click the add button
The + sign gives you the option to add a number of external testers, and the limit of external testers is 10,000 
Now you can select a build for your external testers
On the Builds tab, click the + button
Select the build and click Next

What To Consider???

iTunes Connect might ask you for some additional information.
Provide testing information to display to the external testers.
iTunes Connect checks the Automatically notify testers checkbox by default.
If you don’t want this then simply you need to uncheck this box.
Once completed, click on Submit for Review.
iTunes Connect adds the app to the review queue and changes its status to Waiting for Review.
For the approval, the build must comply with the full App Store Review Guidelines.

When Approval Comes???

The Approval usually takes not more than 48 hours. On being approved the app would not require a review until the version number gets changed.

WHAT’S NEXT???

Once your app clear the Beta App Review, a confirmation mail is sent to you, and after which the app can initiate the external testing.

Although, if you have already checked the ‘Automatically Notify’ testers checkbox, then your external testers would be notified.

Else, you would require to land again on iTunes Connect to start testing.
No prize for guessing after these steps a magic start to build in your app, which would eradicate the iota of rejection fear from your users, and your app will make its presence n the robust app platform.
But one thing which I forgot to mention herewith that if your mobile app does not offer that OOMPH factor to the testers to like it further, then this entire process is nothing but futile.
Thus it is highly recommended to get your mobile app concept get the reality platform with a leading iPhone app development company in India, and help your business to get a successful app solution.

Ankit Singh
Ankit Singh is the Founder and COO of Techugo, one of the fastest-growing mobile application development companies, based in India, USA & UAE. Follow him on FB and Twitter...

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