Leave it to Apple to screw up Testflight
The_Gamesalad_Guru
Member Posts: 9,922
New rules in iOS 8
- TestFlight
28.1
Apps may only use TestFlight to beta test apps intended for public distribution and must comply with the full App Review Guidelines
28.2
Apps using TestFlight must be submitted for review whenever a build contains material changes to content or functionality
28.3
Apps using TestFlight may not be distributed to testers in exchange for compensation of any kind
Comments
Not sure I understand the implications of 28.2 fully, but 28.1 and 28.3 sound reasonable to me.
@pHghost, all of this makes custom projects for a small select group, like a custom time management app for the staff in your own company, much more involved to release.
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Seems to like there were people selling their apps using testflight and apple caught on to it. They want their 30%.
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@raycur09, if that was the motive, then Apple would be very short sighted.
You can't distribute on a large scale through testflight.
If anything it promoted Apple devices, and the lifetime value of a new convert would be vastly more than the 30%.
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That's what I think as well.
At the same time, Apple is undoubtedly relying on some internal data, not just making up the rules on a whim.
Absolutely, there may be workarounds or abuse of the testflight system that allows for publishing on a large scale. These vulnerabilities should then the fixed.
There are many cases where apps get created for a select group, and the app itself should not be accessible on the store.
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@The_Gamesalad_Guru You have got to be kidding me.
@!
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True that. Such a disappointment. It use to be very easy to send out build, even if not sending to a group. It looks like it may be quicker to take the "long" way around.
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Join me on this thread on Apple Developer forum and let Apple know not to screw with testflight.
https://devforums.apple.com/message/1034076#1034076
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Done, including threat.
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I think it's a brilliant idea!
Apple seems to be really taking a step forward with quality control. Things are going to be a bit more difficult but I would say have an open mind and see exactly what the long term plan is.
They have to start somewhere with having more control of the quality of apps and this is definitely a step towards it. Whether people disagree with it or not - if you don't like it you can always move to a different platform if you don't want to follow the rules.
I don't know if you understand, this has nothing to do with quality in fact it will hurt quality. The harder it is to test an app the less likely it will be repeatedly worked on. It will just get submitted in a that'll do state because it is just too hard and too much trouble to test and improve it more.
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Yes I understand - I also have been using test flight for a while now. Despite some of its drawbacks, it's demostrting that Apple is taking more control of the apps that get made, if they don't get approved when using test flight then that's good indication it may not be approved onto the AppStore.
And if it's too hard or too much trouble to take the time then the people will stop using or publishing. That's even better because chances are, those people were most likely not taking the time to make better quality apps or games anyway. They have no short supply of apps.
On the flip side, it is a downside, but if you look at some of the longer term goals it actually is acceptable until we see future plans from Apple.
My 2 cents - no hate
This makes no sense and I don't think you even believe it. Every time you post in a thread you take an opposing view to stir the pot. I can't swear to that but it something I have noticed. I don't necessarily think that's terrible but at the same time I can't take you seriously.
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@colander if I don't believe it or support it I wouldn't have written it. It's not stirring the pot, nor do I ever intend to. This is something a lot of people, including myself, have been requesting for years. Not so much with flight control but with a different attitude towards their AppStore. Instead of the lets get more apps than android approach, they have seem to be in the process of switching to a lets be more about uniqueness and quality rather than quantity.
This means changes have to be made - controlling test-flight is like baby steps. Not everyone has to use test flight to release an app. To me, it's like testing the waters to then make and modify for the actual AppStore. Of course I could be wrong and they are just being a pain because they can, but for now that doesn't seem to be the case.
Your trend that you believe I have is non existent - if there is something negative to say about a product without being constructive it shouldn't be said.
@Jeromy ok I'll bite. Explain to me how not testing an app on as many devices as possible before submitting it to the store improves quality?
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This is truly a pain. The whole point of TestFlight is that I can quickly test an app at various stages of development (i.e. day one, day 216, etc.) and get feedback. Why the need for a review? I don't get it but then I guess I haven't figured out how people are abusing the system.
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And that's what it is really about. I can imagine little ecosystems out there with developers making a 100% instead of 70%. This could occur in a small businesses where mass availability is not required or wanted.
They are sacrificing quality for control.
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I have no idea what the heck jeromy is talking about. Testflight is for sharing early builds with testers you define to get feed back on the direction of an app and bugs. This has nothing to do with craps or getting approved. This is about testers finding bugs and being able to release a corrected build the next day. No offence but you have no idea what you're talking about. If Apple wants to weed out crap then they do it when in review for the store not during development. Plus you can simply send your testers a PP and send them the download yourself. Testflight just made it easier for the tester not the developer.
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@The_Gamesalad_Guru I am completely aware of test flight - Been involved with it for years.
My view is how I see it and I simply stated that I support this decision at this point of time.
Agreed, the changes they made to test flight are not going to affect the quality of the apps on the AppStore. The is no connection between the two.
Any business knows you can't make major changes to something and expect it to work how you want it to. Testflight is like a test AppStore. They can get people to submit apps and apple can then go through deciding which ones to reject and approve. Whether this is to see if makes developers add to their games or test to make sure the reviewers are doing their correct job or anyway to improve their reviewing system.
From my view it's simply using testflight to test ways to better insure only quality apps get approved and by doing it through testflight means no developer is going to be at losing money or business as it's not limiting their ability to get approved on the AppStore.
If this is the case and we see an updated guidelines for the AppStore and a different approach to reviewing apps, maybe Apple will the go back and make testflight more easier because they now have a working quality control system.
They were simply my thoughts with this,
Thanks
@Jeromy I want to apologise for my tone in previous posts to you it was leaning towards antagonistic. I am starting to think you might be a younger member because your arguments aren't making good sense. This is not meant to offend you and I apologise in advance if I got your age wrong. This why I formed this view.
It will because anything that reduces testing will leave bugs in the apps which are often missed in the store submission process and end up in the store with the bugs still in them. As you can imagine Apple doesn't play the entire game that could take any amount of time so they do some basic checks and if it passes it is approved. They don't judge whether the game is crap or not only that it mets their standards.
TestFlight is a method to distribute apps to your testers it is not a test AppStore. As a tester I receive an email from a developer with a link to download and install the app which I test for him/her. That's it there is no store.
Apple doesn't do any testing they are only giving you permission to test your app on TestFlight and do what you are currently doing already with you testers. Apple tests your app when you submit it to the store not TestFlight.
They already have a quality control system when you submit. How good and effective it is is another argument but it will now come under more pressure as testing time is reduced.
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I am going to walk away from this -this is turning into a train wreck - either I missed the point completely or have failed to communicate my own opinion strongly enough. But We seem to be at that stage where people now feel its fine to start making judgement comments about others because they simple disagree. I deal with this 6 days a week, It how I make my living. I make my opinions based on my experience with companies. For now - I will still stand by my comments that there is really more going on behind the scene then just simply making things difficult for developers.
What pisses me off on this is that Apple need to get their mitts off our software until we are ready to give it to them. They don't need to be in the involved in the development process. We don't need policing of this nature. Just think about this. Anytime you want to send out an in-progress quick alpha the'll want to review it for approval? Imagine peeps reviewing your brain-storm and denying it because they don't they don't understand the contents, when it makes perfect sense to the developers and testers working on the app.
MIND BLOWN.
@Jeromy it's a conspiracy.
Man this really sucks!
email from Apple.
TestFlight Beta Testing
You can now distribute your prerelease builds to up to 25 trusted internal users before you make your app available on the App Store. To get started, enable Internal Testing in Users and Roles on iTunes Connect for up to 25 of your team members with the Admin or Technical user roles. An email will be sent to your testers inviting them to test your app in the TestFlight app. Your testers can accept invites, install and update builds, and provide feedback directly in the TestFlight app.
TestFlight Beta Testing for external testers will be coming soon.