Launch an app test (Classic experience)

On this page:

• Create a new test
• Select a test type
• How participants access the app
• Select audience
• Create a test plan
• Review and launch your test
• How to create an unreleased iOS app test

Create a new test

Note: With iOS 18, participants must trust the installed application in their device settings before they can start the test. 

To “trust” the application, follow these steps: 

• Install the application using the link provided.
• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
• Go to General → VPN & Device Management. Depending on your iOS version, this may appear as Device Management or Profiles & Device Management.
• Under Enterprise App or Developer App, tap the profile associated with the application you installed.
• Tap Trust “[Developer/Organisation Name]”.
• Tap Trust again to confirm.
• Return to the Home Screen and open the application.

Once you have confirmed the application opens successfully, return to UserTesting and start the test. Click here for the instructions for a participant taking the app test on an iOS device. 
 

Note: Testing unreleased apps is not currently supported in the new test experience.

To launch an app test, follow the steps below:

• Select the Create test dropdown from your dashboard, then select Think-out-loud test.

Select a test type

This is an example of the setup process in UserTesting's Classic experience.

1. Select App.
   
2. Choose your audience. For this example, we'll choose the UserTesting Contributor Network.
   
3. Since this is an app test, you'll need to upload the unreleased app file (APK) for Android, or link to your app in Google Play or TestFlight. Learn more about how we keep your app secure.

• When conducting an iOS App test, you will not be able to directly upload .ipa files (these are iOS app files) into the test plan editor unless they fulfill the following requirements: They must include the UserTesting SDK. Their IPA must be signed with an Apple Enterprise Certificate.
• If you do not have an Enterprise Certificate, you can use our TestFlight offering and utilize the “Link App” option in the App Test screen to test your apps. 

How participants access the app

• If participants already have the app installed on their device, the test opens directly in the app.
• If the app is not installed, participants are prompted to download it from the App Store or Google Play before continuing.
• If needed, include setup instructions or login credentials in the test plan.

Select audience

• Once you click on Select Audience, you will be directed to a page dedicated to choosing your target audience.
• If you have questions about creating an audience with the UserTesting network, please visit this article to learn more.
• Select the filter(s) that you need by checking the box(es) in the right sidebar and then adjusting each filter as needed.

• Scrolling down, you can also add screener questions by dragging the Screener Question element in from the right sidebar.
• Screeners help you pinpoint the precise audiences you are seeking.
  Example: 
  
  
  
• When you are happy with your filters and screeners, you can click the Done button to return to the overview page.

Create a test plan

1. Once you have returned to the overview page, select Build Test Plan to get started on test creation.
2. Provide a starting URL as well as any scenario-related details to set the stage for your test contributor.
3. Then, select the elements that you want to include by dragging them into your test plan from the right sidebar. 
4. Once you are done creating your test plan, you can click the Done button to return to the overview page.

This is a Test plan image from UserTesting's Classic experience.

Review and launch your test

• The overview page should now display your audience targeting as well as the test plan.
• Review the information carefully and remember to give your test a name.
• You can also preview your test to check your contributors' mobile experience.
• When you are satisfied, click the Launch Test button.
• You can also schedule your test to launch at a later time.
• For a contributor's view, please review this article.

How to create an unreleased iOS app test

To create an iOS app test, follow the steps below:

1. Click Create test from the dashboard.
2. Select Think-out-loud test, then Classic experience. Note: the new test experience does not support unreleased app testing. 
3. Choose App as your test type.
   
4. Select how you want to recruit participants:
   1. UserTesting Contributor Network – Recruit from UserTesting’s panel 
   2. Custom Network – Use your own contributors 
   3. Invite Network – Share a link with external participants

Note: To test an unreleased app with Invite Network contributors, you must use a TestFlight public beta link.

Add a link or upload the app

If you are using the UserTesting Network audience:

• There are two ways to add your unreleased iOS app file (APK):
  • Link to your app on TestFlight (RECOMMENDED). 
    
  • Upload the app and install the .ipa file (see note below).
    
     

Note: With iOS 18, participants must trust the installed application in their device settings before they can start the test. During this trust process, iOS may require the participant to restart their device. When the device restarts.

• The UserTesting mobile app is closed.
• Upon reopening the app, participants are returned to the test-in-progress screen.
• Participants are unable to successfully resume the session.
• We recommend using the "Link app" option with a TestFlight link instead.

If you are using Invite Network:

• You must use a TestFlight public beta link.
  • To learn how to create a public beta link with TestFlight, see Beta Testing Made Simple with TestFlight at Apple.
  • See our additional documentation if your developers have questions about provisioning, and learn more about how we keep your app secure.
  •  When conducting an iOS App test, you won't be able to directly upload .ipa files (these are iOS app files) into the test plan editor unless they fulfill the following requirements:
    • They must include the UserTesting SDK.
    • Your APK must have an enterprise signed IPA with an Apple Enterprise Certificate.
    • If you do not have an Enterprise Certificate, you can use our TestFlight offering by selecting the Link App option in the App Test screen.
       

Note: You cannot test both iOS and Android apps simultaneously. To test the same app on both iOS and Android devices, create a test for one platform, then create a duplicate test for the other. 

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