TestFlight distribution

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Goal

Archive the app, export an IPA, upload to App Store Connect, and distribute via TestFlight to internal and external testers.

Prerequisites

• Instruments profiling
• An active Apple Developer account ($99/year or org membership)
• App Store Connect record created (bundle ID, app name, screenshots)

Step 1: Archive

In Xcode: Product → Archive.

Or via command line:

xcodebuild archive \
  -scheme ListApp \
  -sdk iphoneos \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath ListApp.xcarchive

The archive bundles the compiled binary, dSYM symbols, and asset catalog into a .xcarchive package.

Step 2: Export IPA

Create ExportOptions.plist:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
  "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>method</key>
    <string>app-store</string>
    <key>teamID</key>
    <string>YOUR_TEAM_ID</string>
    <key>uploadSymbols</key>
    <true/>
    <key>compileBitcode</key>
    <false/>
</dict>
</plist>

Export:

xcodebuild -exportArchive \
  -archivePath ListApp.xcarchive \
  -exportPath . \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist

This produces ListApp.ipa.

Step 3: Upload to App Store Connect

Using Xcode

In the Archives organizer (Window → Organizer), select the archive and click Distribute App → App Store Connect → Upload.

Using command line (CI)

xcrun altool --upload-app \
  -f ListApp.ipa \
  -t ios \
  -u "$APPLE_ID" \
  -p "$APP_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD"

App-specific passwords are generated at appleid.apple.com → App-Specific Passwords.

Using notarytool (preferred for CI)

Modern authentication uses App Store Connect API keys:

xcrun notarytool submit ListApp.ipa \
  --apple-id "$APPLE_ID" \
  --team-id "$TEAM_ID" \
  --password "$APP_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD" \
  --wait

Step 4: TestFlight

Once uploaded, go to App Store Connect:

1. My Apps → ListApp → TestFlight tab
2. The uploaded build appears under iOS Builds (processing takes 5–30 minutes)
3. Enable the build for testing
4. Add internal testers (up to 100, added by Apple ID email)
5. Optionally submit for External Testing (Beta App Review required, 1–2 days)

Step 5: Install TestFlight build

Testers install TestFlight from the App Store, then tap the invitation link or redeem code. The build downloads and installs alongside your development version.

Checkpoint

• Archive completes without errors.
• IPA exports successfully.
• Upload to App Store Connect succeeds (HTTP 200 / no errors).
• Build appears in TestFlight under "iOS Builds" within 30 minutes.
• Testers receive the invitation and can install the app.

You've completed the iOS Advanced tier. The intermediate MVVM list has grown into a full-featured iOS app with SwiftData persistence, Sign in with Apple, secure token storage, unit/UI tests, CI/CD, push notifications, Instruments profiling, and TestFlight distribution.