TestFlight Finally Coming to the Mac

Apple today announced that TestFlight, which allows developers to public test their apps before launch, will be coming to the Mac as part of wider tools meant to improve app development.

IMG 05D35D96ED74 1
TestFlight for the Mac is part of a wider set of tools for developers, including Xcode Cloud, which offers "continuous integration and delivery cloud service designed specifically for Apple developers." With the new service, developers in teams can now easily test, develop, and deploy apps more efficiently. Xcode Cloud also allows developers to build apps in the cloud, freeing up local space on the Mac.

Xcode Cloud is a new continuous integration and delivery cloud service designed specifically for Apple developers. Built into Xcode 13, Xcode Cloud offers a fast and simple way for developers and teams of all sizes to build, test, and deliver high-quality apps even more efficiently. Xcode Cloud can automatically build apps in the cloud to free up developers’ Macs for other tasks. Parallel testing in the cloud means developers can test on a simulated version of every current Apple device, then easily deploy a build of the app for internal testing, or deliver to external beta testers through TestFlight for instant feedback.

Apple also announced changes coming to augmented reality, including Object Capture, which offers an easy way to capture real-world objects and create photo-realistic models with the iPhone, iPad, and DSLR cameras. Swift Playgrounds 4, which allows users to build and distribute apps to the App Store from the ‌iPad‌, was also announced.

More information about these new developer features can be found in Apple's press release, and other announcements from WWDC can be found using our roundup.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2024

Top Rated Comments

llirik Avatar
37 months ago
Xcloud Cloud lol

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dgdosen Avatar
37 months ago
I've watched the first 3 minutes and 57 seconds of the Platform State of the Union. With respect to Xcode Cloud, Apple is saying that I need to code, test, integrate and deliver all through Xcode.

First off - they say, right off the bat, this is only works for "The Apple Platform". While a org like BearApp might use this, because they're tightly coupled to the Apple platform, orgs like 1Password, Instagram, Evernote, Paper or any other org that has sights on multiple platforms (including the web?) will be introducing more complexity into their CI/CD process. I'm not saying it won't work, but it's kind of trying to sherlock other providers of these services - and those are providers that already work well on other platforms.

Second, they're saying this all needs to be done in Xcode, because context switching is a killer. Now if I'm slinging code, I want my code window easily accessible. And a test window, maybe a git window, maybe a window to my CI process, maybe a database view, maybe some streaming logs, maybe other windows. Now I'll agree it's context switching to 'take my eyes off my code' - but what's worse? Command tabbing through already open windows, or opening up some modal view in XCode and thus covering up my code.

Context switching is in the eye of the beholder.

I only have an hour and 9 minutes to go.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4487549 Avatar
37 months ago
Or continue selling / testing / trialing your apps outside the App Store where we can still install them on macOS (thank god).
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amartinez1660 Avatar
37 months ago

Xcode Cloud looks like Apple's way of saying - "We missed the boat on everything GitHub/GitLab, so please use our platform specific answer."
But does it mean that I don’t have to deal with local build machines running gitlab agents and monitoring git commits?
I’m actually quite curious about what the service offers to be honest
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
General Apps Messages

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

Friday March 29, 2024 7:14 am PDT by
In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the "fall...
airtag new orange

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Friday March 29, 2024 12:50 pm PDT by
Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple's AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these...
top stories 30mar2024

Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Saturday March 30, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company's next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and...
iphone 16 cases sonny dickson 1

First iPhone 16 Cases Outline New Rear Vertical Camera Bump

Friday March 29, 2024 4:09 am PDT by
Photos of the first iPhone 16 cases have been shared online, offering another preview of the rumored new vertical rear camera arrangement on the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Image credit: Accessory leaker Sonny Dickson Over the last few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models, all of which have featured a vertical ...
Apple iPhone 15 Pro spatial video capture lifestyle

$3 App Shoots Better Quality Spatial Video Than iPhone's Camera App

Friday March 29, 2024 4:48 am PDT by
A $3 third-party app can now record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models in a higher resolution than Apple's very own Camera app. Thanks to an update first spotted by UploadVR, Spatialify can now record spatial videos with HDR in 1080p at 60fps or in 4K at 30fps. In comparison, Apple's native Camera app is limited to recording spatial video in 1080p at 30fps. Shortly after Apple's Vision ...