When you are onboarding or updating your app on Pugpig Bolt, we'll send you builds for you to review and sign off, plus conduct any testing you need to on your side. iOS, Android and Amazon devices all have different methods and capabilities, so unfortunately there's not one single method for all devices.

iOS (Apple devices)

Apple have an app called TestFlight which is used for installing and testing app builds, both internally and externally. Those with accounts on App Store Connect (ASC) are able to invite themselves and other ASC users to install a build, and also access a shareable public link for those who do not have an account on ASC.

To install a test build on iOS, users will need to download the TestFlight app from the App Store.

TestFlight for App Store Connect Users

How to add users to App Store Connect:

1. Login to App Store Connect: Visit App Store Connect and log in using your Apple developer account credentials.
2. Go to Users and Access: From the App Store Connect dashboard, click on Users and Access.
3. Add New User: In the Users section, click on the + button to add a new user.
4. Fill in User Details: Enter the user’s first name, last name, and email address. Make sure the email address is the one the user will use to receive the invitation. Set the Role to App Manager, Developer or Marketing. View role permissions.
5. Send Invitation: Once all the details are filled in, click Invite. The user will receive an email invitation to join App Store Connect. The invited user must accept the invitation to App Store Connect. After that, they can add themselves to the TestFlight build.

Invite an App Store Connect user to install a TestFlight build

App Store Connect users can invite themselves, or other ASC users to test a build, using Testflight.

1. Once signed in to App Store Connect, navigate to My Apps: In the App Store Connect dashboard, click on My Apps, then select the app for which you want to add testers.
2. Open TestFlight: Under the selected app, go to the TestFlight section. You’ll see options for both internal and external testing.
3. Go to the Internal Testing tab: You can select from existing team members who have the TestFlight role assigned to them. Once the testers have been invited, they will receive an email with a link to install the TestFlight app and access the build.
4. Install the TestFlight App: Testers should download the TestFlight app from the App Store, which is free. This app is required to install and manage the TestFlight builds.
5. Accept the Invitation: Testers will receive an email invitation containing a Start Testing button. When they tap this button, it will open the invitation in the TestFlight app.
6. Install the Build: Once the invitation opens in TestFlight, testers will see your app’s name and details about the available build. To install the app, testers can tap the Install button. After installation, the app will appear on their home screen, and they can start testing.

Invite an user to install a TestFlight build with a link

Alternatively, we can share builds via TestFlight Public Link, which allows testers to install the app without the need to be added manually to App Store Connect.

1. Enable External Testing: If you haven’t already, enable external testing by going to the External Testers section and selecting the build you want to distribute.
2. Create a Public Link: Under the External Testers section, click on Enable Public Link. This will generate a unique public link for your app.
   You’ll have options to set a limit on the number of testers and specify whether testers need to be approved before installing the build or if they can install the app directly. Once you've set the desired parameters, click Create Link.

Key information:

• TestFlight public links take 24-72 hours to generate once submitted.
• After the link is generated, it will be shared with you. You can use the link to download and install the build via the TestFlight app.

Android 

1. Google Play Internal Testing

For Android, we share builds via Google Play Internal Testing. This method allows internal testers to download and install the app directly through the Google Play Store once they’ve been added as testers.

Your Support Engineer will upload the app to Internal Testing.

How to Add Internal Testers for Google Play:

Login to Google Play Console:

• Visit Google Play Console and log in using your Google developer account credentials.

Go to Your App:

• Navigate to the specific app you want to share with internal testers.

Internal Testing Track:

• Go to the Testing section in the menu and select Internal Testing.

Add Testers:

• Enter the email addresses of the testers you want to add. You can upload a list of testers or manually enter them.
• Assign testers to the Internal Testing Track.

Invite Testers:

• After adding the testers, share the testing link with them. They will receive an invitation via email to join the internal testing.

Testers' Action:

• Once invited, testers can click the link and sign in with their Google account.
• They will be directed to the Google Play Store where they can install the internal testing version of the app. They must be signed into Play Store with the same email adrress as set up on internal testing.

2. Bitrise Public Links

We can generate public links for Android builds via Bitrise. These links allow users to install the build directly on their Android devices.

Instructions for installing from Bitrise:

• Download the APK file directly to your Android device.
• To install apps from sources outside of the Google Play Store, you will need to enable a setting on your device.

Enabling installation from other sources:

1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap on Security.
3. Look for the option called Unknown Sources and toggle it on.
4. Confirm the warning message and allow installation from unknown sources.

After this, you can install the APK directly from the Bitrise public link.

Please make sure your kaldor.android@gmail.com is added with admin permissions to your Google Play console 

Amazon

For Amazon devices, we use Live Testing via the Amazon App Store, specifically for Amazon Fire Tablets.

Key Steps for Live Testing:

• We will Submit the App through the Amazon Developer Console for Live App Testing.
• Add Testers by entering their Amazon account email addresses in the console.
• Testers Receive an Invitation to install the app on their Amazon Fire Tablet.
• Install on Fire Tablets using the invitation link, which directs to the Amazon App Store.

Requirements:

• An Amazon Fire Tablet is needed for live testing.
• The review process for live testing may take up to 48 hours.

Please make sure your android@kaldorgroup.com is added with admin permissions to your Amazon Developer Console.