Scenario:
You have multiple testers or clients who need to see regular previews of the app.
Problem:
Emailing large files to each individual for every incremental version release. Recipients may have difficulty using iTunes/Xcode for installation or may not have immediate access to a PC.
Solution:
Users can install the app OTA by visiting your webserver on Safari
Create a directory called “Payload”
Copy app file into Payload
Zip Payload directory (must be done on a Mac)
Rename zip file as appname.ipa
Use Beta Builder tool to create necessary HTML files
Drop the whole lot into your webserver
Recipients visit URL via Safari and install app OTA
Step 5 only needs to be done once - I just replace the exiting ipa file on the web server. I also have the web folder linked into dropbox so it gets updated automatically.
The HTML is also easily editable so that you can have versioning information for users to read too.
You don’t need to use the Beta Builder tool after you have the HTML code you can just edit it to suit your needs - it’s just convenient. [import]uid: 11393 topic_id: 5193 reply_id: 305193[/import]
It sends out emails to the team, gathers stats in order to know who installed and who didn’t and helps registering devices and gathering UUID’s from users.
best of all - it’s a free service
My 2 cents [import]uid: 13553 topic_id: 5193 reply_id: 83563[/import]
TF is a great solution and it’s definitely easier to get running. If you want your own inhouse TF style server this is how it’s done.
We use this method because we want more control over the deployment and have a script that automates the process in one click. Since it’s working locally it’s instant and we use this to test on local devices instead of iTunes.
And because it’s off our own servers we have logins for clients which displays a customised download page for them and sends an SMS link to the download whenever there are new installations.
