Internal Distribution

Internal distribution allows you to share your app with team members and testers before submitting to public app stores. This is essential for quality assurance, stakeholder reviews, and beta testing.

Distribution Methods Overview

EAS Build Internal Distribution

Best for: Quick sharing with small teams

Direct download URLs for builds
No app store accounts needed for testers
Works on both iOS (ad hoc) and Android (APK)
Install via QR code or link
Up to 100 iOS devices per year (Apple limitation)

TestFlight (iOS)

Best for: Large-scale iOS beta testing

Up to 10,000 external testers
Distributed through App Store infrastructure
Automatic updates for testers
Crash reports and feedback
Requires App Store Connect account

Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

Best for: Android beta testing via Play Store

Up to 100 internal testers
Distributed through Play Store
Fast updates (available within minutes)
Automatic crash reporting
Requires Google Play Console

EAS Build Internal Distribution

Setting Up Internal Distribution

Configure Build Profile

Add internal distribution profile to eas.json:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "internal",
      "channel": "preview",
      "android": {
        "buildType": "apk"
      }
    }
  }
}

Setting "distribution": "internal" automatically:

Android: Builds APK (directly installable) instead of AAB
iOS: Uses ad hoc or enterprise provisioning

Register iOS Devices (Ad Hoc Only)

For iOS ad hoc distribution, register test devices:

# Register a new device
eas device:create

This opens a webpage where testers can:

Visit the registration URL
Download configuration profile
Install profile to share UDID

Alternatively, manually add UDID:

eas device:create --apple-team-id YOUR_TEAM_ID
# Enter device name and UDID when prompted

Find device UDID:

Connect device to Mac
Open Finder > Select device
Click on serial number to show UDID
Right-click UDID to copy

Create Internal Build

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eas build --platform android --profile preview

This creates an APK that can be installed directly.

eas build --platform ios --profile preview

EAS automatically:

Creates ad hoc provisioning profile
Includes all registered device UDIDs
Signs the build for distribution

eas build --platform all --profile preview

Builds for both platforms simultaneously.

After build completes, EAS provides:

Build URL: https://expo.dev/accounts/[account]/projects/[project]/builds/[id]
QR Code: For easy mobile access
Direct download link: For installing the app

To share:

Copy build URL from EAS CLI output
Send to testers via email/Slack
Testers scan QR code or visit URL on device
Click Install button

iOS Installation:

Tap Install on build page
Confirm installation in Settings
Trust enterprise certificate if needed

Android Installation:

Download APK from build page
Allow installation from unknown sources
Install APK

Managing Device Access

List registered devices:

eas device:list

Remove device:

eas device:delete

This prompts you to select device to remove. Optionally disables it on Apple Developer Portal.

Disabled devices still count toward Apple’s 100-device limit per year per app. Limit resets annually.

Rename device:

eas device:rename

Gives friendly names to devices for easier management. Add device to existing build: After registering new devices, rebuild to include them:

eas device:create
eas build --platform ios --profile preview

Access Control

By default, internal builds are accessible to anyone with the URL. Require authentication:

Go to Project Settings
Find Unauthenticated access to internal builds
Toggle OFF

Now testers must:

Have Expo account
Be added as collaborators to project
Sign in to download builds

Add collaborators:

Go to project settings
Navigate to Collaborators
Add by Expo username or email
Assign role (Admin, Developer, View Only)

TestFlight Distribution (iOS)

TestFlight is Apple’s beta testing platform built into App Store Connect.

Setting Up TestFlight

Build for TestFlight

TestFlight requires App Store builds (not ad hoc):

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "store",
      "channel": "preview",
      "ios": {
        "buildConfiguration": "Release"
      }
    }
  }
}

Build and submit:

eas build --platform ios --profile preview --auto-submit

Or submit separately:

eas build --platform ios --profile preview
eas submit --platform ios

Wait for Processing

After submission:

Build appears in App Store Connect
Status: Processing (10-15 minutes)
Status changes to Ready to Submit or Ready to Test
Build available in TestFlight

Add Internal Testers

Internal testers (up to 100):

Must be added to App Store Connect
Can test immediately without review
Receive automatic updates

To add internal testers:

Go to App Store Connect
Select your app > TestFlight
Under Internal Testing, click + next to Internal Testers
Create group or add individual testers
Select build to test
Testers receive email invitation

Add External Testers (Optional)

External testers (up to 10,000):

Anyone with Apple ID
Requires Beta App Review (1-2 days)
Great for public beta testing

To add external testers:

Go to TestFlight > External Testing
Click + to create new group
Add build and release notes
Enable Automatic Distribution for future builds
Add testers by email
Submit for Beta App Review
After approval, testers receive invitations

Testers Install App

Testers need TestFlight app:

Install TestFlight from App Store
Open invitation email on iOS device
Tap View in TestFlight
Tap Install or Update
App installs like any App Store app

TestFlight features for testers:

View release notes
Send feedback via screenshots
Check for updates
Stop testing anytime

TestFlight Best Practices

Release notes: Include clear notes for each build:

eas.json

{
  "submit": {
    "preview": {
      "ios": {
        "ascAppId": "1234567890",
        "appleId": "your@email.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add notes in App Store Connect or via EAS:

eas submit --platform ios --latest
# EAS prompts for release notes

Version management:

Increment build number for each TestFlight upload
Keep version number consistent (1.0.0) during testing
Only increment version for App Store release

Testing windows:

TestFlight builds expire after 90 days
Upload new builds regularly for ongoing testing
Testers automatically get updates if enabled

Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

Setting Up Internal Testing

Create Internal Testing Track

Go to Google Play Console
Select your app
Navigate to Testing > Internal testing
Click Create new release

Build and Submit

Configure submission in eas.json:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "preview": {
      "distribution": "store",
      "channel": "preview",
      "android": {
        "buildType": "app-bundle"
      }
    }
  },
  "submit": {
    "preview": {
      "android": {
        "serviceAccountKeyPath": "./google-service-account.json",
        "track": "internal",
        "releaseStatus": "completed"
      }
    }
  }
}

Submit build:

# Build and submit
eas build --platform android --profile preview --auto-submit

# Or submit separately
eas submit --platform android --profile preview

Add Internal Testers

Create tester list:

Go to Testing > Internal testing
Click Testers tab
Click Create email list
Enter list name
Add tester email addresses (comma-separated)
Save list

Assign list to release:

Go back to Internal testing
Under release, click Manage testers
Select your email list
Save

Google Play provides unique opt-in URL:

Copy URL from Internal testing page
Share link with testers
Testers open link on Android device
Tap Become a tester
Download app from Play Store

Link format:

https://play.google.com/apps/internaltest/[encoded-id]

Internal Testing Features

Fast deployments:

Updates available within minutes
No review process for internal track
Unlimited releases

Automatic updates:

Testers get updates via Play Store
Standard Play Store update flow
Can disable auto-update per app

Testing limits:

Up to 100 testers on internal track
For more testers, use Closed Testing (Alpha/Beta)

Crash reporting:

Automatic crash collection
View in Play Console > Quality > Crashes
Pre-launch reports available

Advanced Internal Distribution

Multiple Testing Tracks

Manage different testing stages:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "distribution": "internal",
      "channel": "development",
      "android": { "buildType": "apk" }
    },
    "staging": {
      "distribution": "store",
      "channel": "staging"
    },
    "production": {
      "distribution": "store",
      "channel": "production"
    }
  },
  "submit": {
    "staging": {
      "android": {
        "track": "internal"
      },
      "ios": {
        "ascAppId": "123456789"
      }
    },
    "production": {
      "android": {
        "track": "production"
      },
      "ios": {
        "ascAppId": "123456789"
      }
    }
  }
}

Workflow:

Development: EAS internal distribution for quick team testing
Staging: TestFlight/Internal Testing for wider QA
Production: Full store release

Automated Internal Releases

Use EAS Workflows to automate internal builds:

.eas/workflows/preview.yml

name: Preview Build

on:
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  build_preview:
    name: Build Preview
    type: build
    params:
      platform: all
      profile: preview

Using Expo Orbit

Expo Orbit is a macOS/Windows menubar app for managing builds: Features:

View all EAS builds
One-click install to simulator/emulator
Download builds locally
Launch apps quickly
Perfect for team testing

Install Orbit:

# macOS
brew install expo-orbit

# Or download from
https://expo.dev/orbit

Enterprise Distribution (iOS)

For large organizations with Apple Developer Enterprise Program:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "enterprise": {
      "distribution": "internal",
      "ios": {
        "enterpriseProvisioning": "universal"
      }
    }
  }
}

Benefits:

Unlimited device installations
No device UDID management
Suitable for internal corporate apps
Cannot be distributed on App Store

Requirements:

Apple Developer Enterprise Program membership ($299/year)
DUNS number
Legal entity with 100+ employees

Troubleshooting

iOS: “Unable to Download App”

Issue: Testers can’t install ad hoc build Solutions:

Device not registered:

eas device:list
# Verify device UDID is registered

Rebuild after adding device:

eas build --platform ios --profile preview

Provisioning profile expired:
- Regenerate credentials
- Clear cache and rebuild

Android: “App not installed”

Issue: APK won’t install on Android Solutions:

Enable unknown sources:
- Settings > Security > Unknown sources
- Or per-app permission on Android 8+
Package conflict:
- Uninstall existing version
- Install new APK
Architecture mismatch:
- Ensure APK built for correct architecture
- Use universal APK for compatibility

TestFlight: “Build is missing compliance”

Issue: Export compliance warning Solution: Add to app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "ios": {
      "config": {
        "usesNonExemptEncryption": false
      }
    }
  }
}

Play Console: “Tester can’t find app”

Issue: Tester visited opt-in link but can’t download Solutions:

Check tester is on email list
Ensure release is active:
- Status should be “Available”
- Not “Draft” or “Halted”
Wait for propagation:
- Can take 5-10 minutes
- Ask tester to refresh Play Store

Build URL not working

Issue: Testers get 404 on build URL Solutions:

Check URL is complete:
- Should include full UUID
- Format: https://expo.dev/accounts/.../builds/[uuid]
Verify build completed:
```
eas build:list
```
Check access controls:
- If authentication required, tester needs Expo account
- Add as project collaborator

Next Steps

Over-the-Air Updates - Push updates to testers instantly
Build Configuration - Optimize build profiles
App Stores - Graduate from testing to production

Building

Distribution

Web Deployment

​Internal Distribution

​Distribution Methods Overview

​EAS Build Internal Distribution

​TestFlight (iOS)

​Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

​EAS Build Internal Distribution

​Setting Up Internal Distribution

​Configure Build Profile

​Register iOS Devices (Ad Hoc Only)

​Create Internal Build

​Share Build with Testers

​Managing Device Access

​Access Control

​TestFlight Distribution (iOS)

​Setting Up TestFlight

​Build for TestFlight

​Wait for Processing

​Add Internal Testers

​Add External Testers (Optional)

​Testers Install App

​TestFlight Best Practices

​Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

​Setting Up Internal Testing

​Create Internal Testing Track

​Build and Submit

​Add Internal Testers

​Share Testing Link

​Internal Testing Features

​Advanced Internal Distribution

​Multiple Testing Tracks

​Automated Internal Releases

​Using Expo Orbit

​Enterprise Distribution (iOS)

​Troubleshooting

​iOS: “Unable to Download App”

​Android: “App not installed”

​TestFlight: “Build is missing compliance”

​Play Console: “Tester can’t find app”

​Build URL not working

​Next Steps

Internal Distribution

Distribution Methods Overview

EAS Build Internal Distribution

TestFlight (iOS)

Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

EAS Build Internal Distribution

Setting Up Internal Distribution

Configure Build Profile

Register iOS Devices (Ad Hoc Only)

Create Internal Build

Share Build with Testers

Managing Device Access

Access Control

TestFlight Distribution (iOS)

Setting Up TestFlight

Build for TestFlight

Wait for Processing

Add Internal Testers

Add External Testers (Optional)

Testers Install App

TestFlight Best Practices

Google Play Internal Testing (Android)

Setting Up Internal Testing

Create Internal Testing Track

Build and Submit

Add Internal Testers

Share Testing Link

Internal Testing Features

Advanced Internal Distribution

Multiple Testing Tracks

Automated Internal Releases

Using Expo Orbit

Enterprise Distribution (iOS)

Troubleshooting

iOS: “Unable to Download App”

Android: “App not installed”

TestFlight: “Build is missing compliance”

Play Console: “Tester can’t find app”

Build URL not working

Next Steps