About the Distribution Page
A Distribution Page is a feature that generates a link to allow Testers to install a specific revision of an app.
A DeployGate account is not required to install an app from a Distribution Page. Testers can install an app without being prompted to register for an account and can also receive future updates. This means that you can easily involve individuals who aren’t part of the development team and conduct app testing continuously.
Team Members with DeployGate accounts can use the Distribution Page to create links to install revisions for specific uses. For example, you can create and share a link called, “XYZ QA Test.” By using this specific Distribution Page for the original distribution and subsequent updates and revisions, you can reduce mistakes and human errors, such as QA Testers using the wrong revision. You can also integrate with CI to automatically update the Distribution Page for each Git branch and pull request.
How to Create a Distribution Page
You can create a new Distribution Page from the “Add a link for sharing” button on the App’s Details page.
You can create multiple Distribution Pages and distribute different revisions to each page. This allows you to create links for different purposes (e.g., features under development) and audiences (e.g., specific distribution members).
For detailed instructions on how to create a Distribution Page, please visit Distribute Apps with Link Distribution.
Ad Hoc iOS App Distributions
When distributing iOS apps through the Apple Developer Program, the developer will receive a UDID notification when a tester joins the Distribution Page. Users can install the app after the developer adds the UDID to the app, uploads it, and applies it to the Distribution Page.
For information on how to add UDIDs, please visit Add/Delete UDID of New Devices.
Distributing App Updates
After you’ve distributed an app through the Distribution Page, you can change the revision at a later date. This allows you to distribute an app’s updates to users who have already installed the app. iOS device users will receive updates via email, while Android device user will receive push notifications.
Differences between Member Distribution and Link Distribution
These are the differences between Link Distribution using a Distribution Page and Member Distribution.
DeployGate account requirement
Link Distribution: Testers with access to the Distribution Page’s link can install apps without registering for a DeployGate account.
Member Distribution: To install an app, users must have a DeployGate account and also the necessary permissions to access an app.
Ability for Testers to view past revisions
Link Distribution: Testers can only install a specific revision designated by the Developer and cannot access any other revision.
Member Distribution: Members can install any past revision of the same app.
It’s possible to compare past revisions and verify and app’s operations during updates
Ability to search for an app
Link Distribution: Testers can only find the app when using the applicable link.
Member Distribution: Testers can search for and install any app that their Team can access.
Ability for Tester to submit comments
Link Distribution: The Distribution Page has a feature that allows Testers to take screenshots and submit comments.
Comments can be viewed by both Developers and Testers who have joined the Distribution Page.
Comments include the Tester’s device name and OS version, and Developers can obtain the necessary information to triage, diagnose, and fix bugs and errors.
Member Distribution: Comments are not available.
With Link Distribution using a Distribution Page, users can install apps without creating a DeployGate account, making it ideal for testing a specific revision with external users or for temporary app distributions on a large scale. However, this method is limited to a specific revision’s installation and doesn’t support account management. Member Distribution is more appropriate if you want to manage access permissions on a per-user basis or want a development team’s engineers, designers, QA testers, and others to search for and install apps and revisions on their own.
Caution
For iOS, please access the Distribution Page through the Safari browser's standard mode. It may not function properly when using Safari’s private browsing mode, a non-Safari browser, or another app’s WebView.