Applications for external iOS applications

Question

After reading numerous tutorials on the beta testing strategy for iOS, I'm still confused if it is allowed by the Apple Developer Program to distribute an external beta testing application without receiving its approval and using TestFlight. For example, is it allowed to create a signed AdHoc application and use a third-party tool (Crashlytics, HockeyApp, others) for beta distribution for external objects. External in this case does not mean inside your organization. Inside the organization, there are other tools that can be used as Enterprise Distribution, which have no restrictions, but cannot be used externally. The question is, does Apple allow external beta testing for an application not signed by Apple? (not Apple, unlike TestFlight, which would really sign it for external testing through the iTunesConnect view).

UPDATE: after viewing in AdHoc and going to the Apple developer page, it shows this (note the warning before the release in this image), which seems to indicate what I suspected - by Apple’s rules you cannot allow external people to test your special application:

So, if this is true, I don’t see how there is any way around TestFlight for public external beta versions.

Answer 1

Yes, using an Ad-Hoc distribution with external testers works great and has been used by thousands of developers around the world for many years. Apple Citation Application Distribution Guide :

Testers do not have to be team members or iTunes Connect users to run the application, but their devices must be registered with your developer account.

Answer 2

HockeyApp does support app distribution using the Ad Hoc profile.

You need to buy the apple dev program, then you need to create profiles and use the profile in your projects, then you need to create a new application in the control panel on HockeyApp ( https://rink.hockeyapp.net/manage/dashboard ) and integrate our SDK into your assembly, you can integrate the SDK by following these steps in this KB: https://support.hockeyapp.net/kb/client-integration-ios-mac-os-x-tvos/hockeyapp-for-ios

After that, you need to load the assembly, profile, symbols in HockeyApp. We recommend using our interactive HockeyApp SDK Integration Wizard for Mac ( https://www.hockeyapp.net/releases/mac ), which covers the steps to integrate the SDK and upload files to HockeyApp.

For more information on distribution, see here: https://support.hockeyapp.net/kb/app-management-2/how-to-organize-development-and-production-apps-for-distribution#hockeyapp-offers-four-pre -defined-release-types

Answer 3

In accordance with the current Apple Developer Program agreement (bold text is mine):

7.3 Distribution on registered devices (special distribution) In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, you can also distribute your applications for iOS, watchOS and tvOS to persons of your company, organization, educational institution, group or who is otherwise connected with you for use on a limited number of registered devices (as indicated on the program’s web portal)

See also section 7.3 of parts A and B, where they clearly allow external testing through TestFlight. Based on this, it seems that external testing is only allowed through TestFlight. Internal testing can use TestFlight, applications signed by the Enterprise Program or Ad Hoc.