1# TestFlight
2 
3Always ship to TestFlight first. Internal testers, then external testers, then App Store. Never skip this.
4 
5## Submit
6 
7```bash
8npx testflight
9```
10 
11That's it. One command builds and submits to TestFlight.
12 
13## Skip the Prompts
14 
15Set these once and forget:
16 
17```bash
18[email protected]
19EXPO_APPLE_TEAM_ID=XXXXXXXXXX
20```
21 
22The CLI prints your Team ID when you run `npx testflight`. Copy it.
23 
24## Why TestFlight First
25 
26- Internal testers get builds instantly (no review)
27- External testers require one Beta App Review, then instant updates
28- Catch crashes before App Store review rejects you
29- TestFlight crash reports are better than App Store crash reports
30- 90 days to test before builds expire
31- Real users on real devices, not simulators
32 
33## Tester Strategy
34 
35**Internal (100 max)**: Your team. Immediate access. Use for every build.
36 
37**External (10,000 max)**: Beta users. First build needs review (~24h), then instant. Always have an external group—even if it's just friends. Real feedback beats assumptions.
38 
39## Tips
40 
41- Submit to external TestFlight the moment internal looks stable
42- Beta App Review is faster and more lenient than App Store Review
43- Add release notes—testers actually read them
44- Use TestFlight's built-in feedback and screenshots
45- Never go straight to App Store. Ever.
46 
47## Troubleshooting
48 
49**"No suitable application records found"**
50Create the app in App Store Connect first. Bundle ID must match.
51 
52**"The bundle version must be higher"**
53Use `autoIncrement: true` in `eas.json`. Problem solved.
54 
55**Credentials issues**
56```bash
57eas credentials -p ios
58```
59