Setup iOS Project for Fastlane

This guide walks you through setting up an iOS project with Fastlane for code signing and uploading builds to TestApp.io for testing and distribution.

1. Install Fastlane

Create a ./Gemfile in the root directory of your project:

source "https://rubygems.org"

gem "fastlane"

Then run:

bundle install

Add both ./Gemfile and ./Gemfile.lock to version control. For more details, see Fastlane Setup Guide.

2. Initialize Fastlane

In your iOS project folder, run:

bundle exec fastlane init

Follow the wizard — it will create ./fastlane/Appfile with your Apple ID and team configuration.

3. Initialize Match

Fastlane match generates all necessary certificates and provisioning profiles and stores them encrypted in a Git repository.

First, create a private empty GitHub repository for storing certificates and provisioning profiles. Then run:

bundle exec fastlane match init

Follow the prompts and provide the new empty Git repository URL when asked. This creates the Matchfile.

4. Generate Certificates and Provisioning Profiles

bundle exec fastlane match development
# Or for ad-hoc distribution:
bundle exec fastlane match adhoc

Follow the prompts — Fastlane will generate certificates and profiles and store them encrypted in the Git repository.

Note: You will be asked to provide a match password used for encrypting the certificates and profiles. Store this password securely.

5. Select Provisioning Profiles in Xcode

The newly created certificates and profiles should now be available in your project. Open Xcode and go to Signing & Capabilities.

⚠️

Important: Do not choose Automatically manage signing. Select your provisioning profiles manually.

6. Add TestApp.io Fastlane Plugin

Install the TestApp.io plugin for Fastlane:

bundle exec fastlane add_plugin testappio

7. Upload Builds to TestApp.io

Add the upload_to_testappio action to your Fastfile:

# fastlane/Fastfile
default_platform :ios

platform :ios do
  desc "Build ad-hoc and upload to TestApp.io"
  lane :beta do
    match(type: "adhoc")
    gym(export_method: "ad-hoc")
    upload_to_testappio(
      release_notes: "New beta build",
      git_release_notes: true,
      git_commit_id: false,
      notify: true
    )
  end
end

Set these environment variables (or pass them directly):

TESTAPPIO_API_TOKEN — Get from Team Settings → API Credentials
TESTAPPIO_APP_ID — Get from your app page under Integrations → Releases

For more details, see Fastlane Plugin Guide.

ta-cli Documentation

Need help? Contact us or visit help.testapp.io.