Distributing Builds with Firebase App Distribution
Firebase App Distribution is a cross-platform, cloud-based solution for deploying app builds to testing devices quickly to enable feedback early and often. If the app is already utilizing Firebase Crashlytics, stability metrics will automatically be provided for all builds.
Getting Started
To get started, you will need a separate project for each environment in your app (Production, Staging, QA). Your Big Fish producer will coordinate with the our CentralTech Support team to create your projects and complete the Firebase configuration.
In order to distribute a build for testing, you need to add testers to a project then upload a build. Once a build is uploaded, you need to add testing groups or individual testers to a testing pool. Finally you can then distribute your build to the testing pool.
Adding Firebase to your Apps
To use Firebase App Distribution, you first need to add Firebase to each of your apps. The steps for this will vary depending on whether you're using Android or iOS.
Adding Firebase to an Android Project
Using Firebase requires the following pre-requisites:
- A Firebase account. If you require an account or Firebase access, reach out to your Big Fish producer.
- Separate Firebase projects for each of your app's environments (Production, Staging, and QA), which meet the following requirements:
- Targets API 21 (Lollipop) or later
- Uses Android v5.0 or later
- Uses JetPack (AndroidX), including
com.android.tools.build:gradlev7.3.0 andcompileSdkVersionv28 or later
- The latest version of Android Studio
- A physical Android device or emulator to run your app
You can connect your Android app to Firebase using either the Firebase console (recommended) ↗️ or the Firebase Assistant ↗️.
Adding Firebase to an iOS project
Using Firebase requires the following pre-requisites:
- A Firebase account. If you require an account or Firebase access, reach out to your Big Fish producer.
- Separate Firebase projects for each of your app's environments (Production, Staging, and QA) that target iOS 13 or later
- Xcode 15.2 or later
- A physical iOS device or emulator to run your app
You can connect your iOS app to Firebase using the Firebase console ↗️.
Adding Testers to Your Project
To add testers to a project:
- In the Firebase Console, select App Distribution located in the left sidebar.
- Ensure that the landing page shows the correct platform for your build, located to the right of the page title.
- Select Get Started, opening the Release Screen.
- Navigate to the Testers and Groups tab.
- Click Add tester next to the search bar.
- Enter the tester's email address then click Add tester.
Once a tester is added, you can assign them to groups to manage their access to releases. Keep in mind that any tester that is removed from a Firebase project will lose access to all releases in your project. For more information on creating and managing groups or removing testers, see Add, remove, and search for testers in App Distribution ↗️.
Firebase App Distribution has the following tester limits:
- Maximum of 500 testers added to a Firebase project
- Maximum of 200 testers added to an App Distribution group
Distributing a New Build
To upload your build to Firebase:
- On the Release screen, select the app you want to distribute from the dropdown menu located at the top of the page.
- Drag and drop your app's IPA/APK file to the console.
- Add any testers or groups you want to receive the build and click Next.
- Add release notes for the build.
- Click Distribute to testers to make the build available.
If you wish to share links to any specific releases with testers who have access, click the Copy button for the URL.
All testers must accept the invitation emails from a mobile device. The Firebase console will update the testers results as they receive, accept, download or provide any feedback on the release.
Firebase has a build retention period of 150 days. Any archiving or repository needs should be considered outside of the Firebase App Distribution.