iOS: TestFlight
TestFlight is part of App Store Connect. You can invite internal testers from your team and up to 10,000 external testers by email or a public link. Builds for external testers go through a short beta review, and each build expires after 90 days.
Android: testing tracks
The Google Play Console has internal, closed and open testing tracks. Testers join via an opt-in link and get updates through Google Play.
New personal developer accounts must run a closed test with at least 12 testers for at least 14 days before they can apply for production access.
What to look for
- Crashes and performance issues — your future crash rate.
- Confusing onboarding and flows.
- Features testers expect but don't find.
Beta feedback is private. Once you go live, the same feedback arrives as public app reviews — which is why watching reviews closely after launch matters.
Beta vs. soft launch
A beta uses invited testers; a soft launch is a real public release in a few countries.