What is it all about?
InstallFish is a system which allows app developers to distribute test versions of their apps to users in a quick and easy way.
Is it complicated?
Quite the opposite - InstallFish is designed to be as easy as possible for both the developer and installer.
What does the developer do?
Once you are registered with InstallFish it is easy to create a new app by choosing a unique URL for the app install. Then simply drag the IPA or APK into the browser to upload and then it's ready to install!
What is this unique URL?
The developer chooses a URL such as https://installfish.com/myapp. This is the URL that the testers visit to install the app. The simplicity of it means that you can allow your testers to install the app by telling them this URL.
What does the tester do?
The tester simply visits the app install URL in their mobile browser. The mobile-website will install the app.
What do I need to do to create an app?
You need the following:
1. An app binary (ipa/apk file)
2. An InstallFish account
What is the process?
Once you are logged in to InstallFish you visit the My Apps page and create a new app. Choose an app name and app URL for your testers. Then simply drag and drop your app binary and it will upload to your app URL for your testers to install.
What about the testers?
You give them the app URL to visit on their phone browser to install your app. If it needs provisioned, add /udid onto the end of your url and we will get it for you. You can then add it to your apple developer account.
What happens here?
As you develop new versions you can add them to InstallFish by dragging them into the app page. InstallFish will automatically recognise the version number of the new app or you can manually enter a new version number.
What happens to the old versions?
Previous versions are kept in the same installer page so that your users can easily install one of them. Depending on your account type you can have up to 50 different versions of the same app.
API?
You can use the API to upload new versions of an app. There are examples on your app page once you log in and we have some videos coming soon.
Why?
If you are using Continuous Integration or automated builds then you can have the system push the new version up to InstallFish so that you and your users can install the latest build.
How do I create an IPA/APK file?
You may be a little bit down the learning curve for this site if you don't know this.
What about UDIDs and provisioning?
We have a little magic going on to automatically capture the users UDID. To get it add /udid to the end of your install url, direct your tester there and we will do the rest. It will be logged to your account and we will send you an email detailing it. From there you can easily add it to your Apple developer account.
How do you process payments?
We use Stripe to process all payments. Stripe is one of the industry standards meaning your payments are always secure and private. We keep none of your payment details on our servers.
How will I upgrade my account?
From the account page in your logged-in area.
Why is there vat on the business and enterprise accounts?
By law we need to charge VAT. The rate is worked out based on your country of residence and applied at the point of sale. The premium account is vat inclusive.
How do I use my own branding?
Branding can be applied in various places. Each appstore can have its own branding that will cascade down into any apps linked to it, checkout the options on the individual appstores. Overall branding can be applied via the account page. This will be added to any internal mail sent from InstallFish and any other apps not linked to an appstore.
What are the QR codes
Just like the auto UDID collection if you append /qr to your install url it will display the QR code that links to your mobile installer. You can use these to embed the code in your own site, save it print it. Whatever you like!