Time kills momentum. When you're iterating on a mobile app, every hour waiting for builds to reach testers is an hour of delayed feedback. Traditional distribution methods—TestFlight reviews, Play Store processing—add friction that slows your development cycle.
This guide shows you exactly how to send beta apps to testers instantly, for both iOS and Android.
The Problem with Traditional Beta Distribution
Standard beta testing channels were designed for formal releases, not rapid iteration:
- TestFlight — 24-48 hour review for external testing
- Play Store closed testing — Hours to process, plus review time
- Enterprise MDM — Complex setup, slow deployment
These work for scheduled releases but create friction when you need to test a quick fix or show a stakeholder the latest build.
The Solution: OTA Distribution
Over-The-Air (OTA) distribution bypasses review processes entirely. You upload a build, get a link, and testers install immediately.
How It Works
- Upload your build — IPA for iOS, APK for Android
- Get instant link — Available within seconds
- Share with testers — Any messaging channel works
- Testers install — Tap link, confirm install, done
Total time from build completion to tester installation: under 2 minutes.
Fastest iOS Distribution: BetaDrop
For iOS, BetaDrop provides the fastest path from build to tester.
Step-by-Step Process
- Build your IPA
In Xcode: Product → Archive → Export with Ad Hoc distribution
- Upload to BetaDrop
Drag the IPA file to the upload area on betadrop.com
- Copy the install link
Link is generated immediately after upload completes
- Share with testers
Send via Slack, email, WhatsApp—any channel
- Testers tap and install
No TestFlight app needed. Just tap the link on their device.
Requirements
- IPA signed with Ad Hoc or Enterprise provisioning
- Tester device UDIDs in the provisioning profile (for Ad Hoc)
For detailed OTA setup, see our guide on installing IPA files over the air.
Fastest Android Distribution
Android is even simpler—no provisioning profiles or device registration needed.
Using BetaDrop
- Build your APK in Android Studio
- Upload to BetaDrop
- Share the instant download link
- Testers download and install
Direct Sharing
For quick one-offs, you can also share APK files directly via messaging apps or cloud storage. See our complete guide on sharing Android APK files.
Comparison: Distribution Speed
| Method | iOS Time | Android Time |
|---|---|---|
| BetaDrop | <1 minute | <1 minute |
| TestFlight (external) | 24-48 hours | N/A |
| TestFlight (internal) | 10-30 minutes | N/A |
| Play Store internal | N/A | 5-15 minutes |
| Firebase | 5-10 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
Best Practices for Instant Distribution
1. Prepare Your Build Environment
Have your provisioning profiles and signing certificates ready. For iOS, this is often the bottleneck—not the distribution itself.
2. Use Automation
Set up CI/CD to automatically build and upload. Tools like Fastlane can export IPA/APK and upload to distribution platforms in one command.
3. Create a Distribution Channel
Have a dedicated Slack channel or group chat for sharing builds. Testers know where to look for new versions.
4. Include Version Context
When sharing links, always include:
- Version number or build number
- What changed since the last build
- Specific areas to test
5. Keep Tester Devices Ready
For iOS Ad Hoc distribution, ensure all tester UDIDs are in your provisioning profile before you need to send a quick build.
Use Cases for Instant Distribution
Bug Fix Validation
Tester reports a bug at 10 AM. You fix it by 10:30 AM. With instant distribution, they're testing the fix by 10:35 AM.
Stakeholder Demos
Product manager asks to see the latest feature. Upload the current build and send a link—they're seeing it on their device in under a minute.
Daily Builds
Share a fresh build with your QA team every morning. No waiting, no scheduling around review times.
Client Reviews
Client wants to see progress. Send an instant install link instead of scheduling a screen share or recording a video.
Setting Up for Success
For iOS Development
- Register all tester devices
Add UDIDs to Apple Developer portal and include in provisioning profile
- Use Ad Hoc for testing
Development builds can't be distributed via OTA
- Bookmark your distribution platform
Quick access means faster distribution
For Android Development
- Enable debug builds
Faster to compile than release builds for daily testing
- Configure Gradle for APK output
Ensure you're building APK, not just AAB
- Brief testers on sideloading
First-time Android testers may need guidance on enabling unknown sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I send a beta app to testers instantly?
Use an OTA distribution platform like BetaDrop. Upload your IPA or APK and receive a shareable install link immediately—no review process required.
Why does TestFlight take so long?
TestFlight requires Apple review for external testing, which typically takes 24-48 hours. This ensures apps meet basic guidelines before reaching external users.
What is the fastest way to share an iOS app?
OTA distribution is fastest. Upload your Ad Hoc-signed IPA to BetaDrop and share the instant link. Testers install within seconds.
Do testers need to install anything to receive beta apps?
With OTA platforms like BetaDrop, testers just tap a link to install. No additional apps needed. TestFlight requires installing Apple's TestFlight app first.
Can I send instant builds to hundreds of testers?
For Android, yes—no limits. For iOS with Ad Hoc distribution, you're limited to 100 registered devices per device type. Enterprise distribution removes this limit.
Summary
Sending beta apps to testers instantly requires bypassing traditional review processes:
- For iOS — Use OTA distribution with Ad Hoc signing. Upload to BetaDrop for instant links.
- For Android — Direct APK distribution. Upload and share—no delays.
The faster you can get builds to testers, the faster you can iterate. Stop waiting for reviews.
Ready to speed up your testing cycle? Upload your build on BetaDrop and share it with your testers in seconds.
