First App.
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CHAPTER 09Lesson 30 of 36

Invite family through TestFlight

TestFlight is Apple’s free app for trying an app before release. Invite family as external testers, so they can test without managing your developer account.

On your Mac8 min read & do
By the end of this lesson

Send a small group a private testing invitation after Apple permits external testing.

Apple’s beta review has no guaranteed completion time. Invitations become useful once the build is available.

Let’s do this

  1. 1
    On your Mac

    Create an external group

    Open your app in App Store Connect → TestFlight. Add a group under External Testing and give it a name such as Family. Do not add relatives as App Store Connect team members just to test the app.

  2. 2
    On your Mac

    Add the build and testing details

    Open the group, choose Add Builds and select the processed build. Explain what needs testing. Complete the beta description, contact details and review information. Provide a working review account and clear steps if signing in is needed.

  3. 3
    On your Mac

    Send it for beta review

    Follow the prompts to submit the build for TestFlight App Review if required. The first external build normally needs review. Resolve any questions and wait until the build is available for testing. This is separate from App Store release review.

  4. 4
    On your Mac

    Invite a few people by email

    In the external group choose Invite Testers and use the email invitation option. Tell family to install TestFlight from the App Store, open the invitation on their iPhone and accept it. A TestFlight build expires after 90 days; upload another when needed.

    Invite external TestFlight testers (opens a new tab)
TestFlight External Group page with Add Builds and Invite Testers links.View larger
Apple’s current guide uses this example. Your app’s name and version will differ.Screenshot source (opens a new tab)

A message for Codex

Write a friendly TestFlight “What to Test” note for my first iPhone app. Its main job is [describe the problem my app should solve], and its starting features are [choose up to three small features]. Give family three short tasks and ask what felt confusing. Include a reminder that this is a test version and sample information is best.

Make this message fit your idea.

What you should see

A relative can accept an invitation in TestFlight and open the correct build on their iPhone.

If you get stuck

Go at your own pace. There is no test to pass.

Checked 7 September 2026. Screens can change; the official guides below have the latest steps.

Invite external TestFlight testersTestFlight overview