Hello,
before uploading my apps to Mas, I usually test them, following this routine:
I wrap the app with AppWrapper and install it on my machine, without launching it
in App Store Connect I add a new instance and fill all the METAs.
I launch the newly installed app
after a few seconds, I get prompted to enter tester-login and pw
after a few seconds the app appears.
The last time I followed this procedure was November 2020, and as usual it worked.
Now, following the same procedure, after installing the app and filling the METAs, when I launch the app, I do not get any prompt, but a message shows up saying that the app is corrupted and to download it from the Store.
At first I thought the problem was related to the āAppStoreReceiptā code (by Sam Rowlands) in my app, but that would mean that between last Nov and now Apple has changed the way they deal with MAS-receipts. It could be. By the way, what changed from my side was that my MBP now runs BigSur (and Iām building with Xojo 2021v3).
But I thing that the reason is that Apple has changed the āSandbox Testerā procedure in App Store Connect. Moreover, in App Store Connect, I noticed the TestFlight tab: I selected it and tried entering my ātestersā data, but I cannot figure out how I can test my app without uploading it. See screenshot below [No Builrds Available]. Something I never did before. Besides, I guess the TestFlight is intended for iPhone/iPad, while I only upload Desktop apps.
Iād appreciate if somebody could be so kind and give me some clear suggestion how to proceed.
BTW, what about removing from the app the appStoreReceipt code?
Before uploading with Transporter, I do not use testers, I myself only want to test it.
So, from what you say, I should upload it to the Store without starting the Review Process and download it using TestFlight. Right?
First, move the application to the āApplicationsā folder and try again.
You need to ensure your test user over at developer.apple.com is configured, not the App Store settings. Confusing I know, Iāll dig our the correct link tomorrow.
I need to update the next prerelease of App Wrapper (as the current one has expired). It adds support for āProvision Profilesā so you can use TestFlight, however for some customers, it means they can no longer test their app store apps on their local machines. Iāve been working with Apple over this and so far have not found a solution that allows certain profiles and receipt verification to take place locally, they appear to need to be tested separately, or tested via Appleās TestFlight process.
This warning about missing provisioning profiles is send since Testflight for Mac left its beta status. I did ignore it, as I donāt want to use testflight.
In the last three weeks Apple changed the behaviour of testing apps for MAS - on 7. Nov. I was able to test an app before submitting to review using the test profile from my developer account, but on this weekend the test ended up in āApp is corruptedā¦ā. The app was reviewed and accepted, but it looks like we have to use those provisioning profiles on a Mac, too.
@Sam_Rowlands - would be fine if AppWrapper can help with those profiles, too.
Yes, it is there.
Then I uploded the pkg to MAS
And Transporter Warning still came up (bundle lacking provisional profile)
And in TestFlight, still āno builds availableā
āConfusing I know, Iāll dig our the correct link tomorrow.ā
Thanks.
By the way, for this testflight thing, does one need, for desktop apps, to get the iOS Certificates too? I never downloaded them since I build Desktop apps only.
Meanwhile, since at this stage (uploading to MAS) Iām supposed to be the only one to use TestFlight, I wonder if I really need to do such testing.
That is, to start the Review process avoiding TestFlight.
Yep, it sounds like the fox not being able to get the grapes and saying āNondum matura estā.
So they changed the place to configure āSandbox Testersā since I last configured an account. It is now at the following link. Accounts created here should only be used for testing the application on a local machine, if you can even get it to run
The prerelease can embed and test Provision Profiles to make sure that youāre using the correct one and not using any entitlements that are not allowed.
Iāve delayed the release of App Wrapper 4.4 because of problems testing App Store apps with some profiles and receipt validation, Iād written some new help, but then I got enough reports from Monterey users where help doesnāt work them, that Iāve now written my own help system
Yes, I had found it, but for some reason I was not able to have things work.
I put myself at rest and forget about flighttests.
This was actually my main concern when I started this topic: since testing my app (with receipt validation) in the old way brings up a message saying that the app is corrupt etc. etc., my fear is: what happens to customers downloading the app from the Store?
Will they get the same message or will the old receipt code work OK?
Absolutely, I have the same fear. I am told that as long as it works for āTestFlightā testers and the App Store gate keepers, it should work for customers.
It should just work, but if they get the same message, re-downloading it doesnāt help and thereās so little information to glean when it fails, that it makes it hard to trap in the real world, which is why being able to test it locally is so important.
Not a problem, I just hope that I can make it all work, because I do not like the idea of losing the ability to test my apps before I release them (maybe as Apple expects Appleās paying customers to be QA agents, they think we all operate in this way).