Distributing Apps with AppAmbit
Learn how to automate your mobile app distribution workflow with AppAmbit. This 8-minute tutorial covers CI/CD integration, automatic build distribution from GitHub, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps, and seamless deployment to testers and teams.
Watch the full tutorial or read the summary below
Overview
Automate your mobile app distribution workflow with AppAmbit's CI/CD integration. Learn how to set up automated builds, distribute to testers, and manage releases efficiently.
What You'll Learn
- Setting up CI/CD pipelines with AppAmbit
- Automating build uploads from GitHub Actions
- Configuring Bitbucket Pipelines integration
- Using Azure DevOps for automated distribution
- Managing distribution groups and testers
Supported Platforms
AppAmbit integrates seamlessly with:
- GitHub Actions - Automate iOS and Android builds
- Bitbucket Pipelines - Built-in YAML configuration
- Azure DevOps - Complete CI/CD workflow
- GitLab CI - Custom pipeline integration
Quick Setup Example
GitHub Actions
Create a workflow file .github/workflows/deploy.yml:
name: Deploy to AppAmbit
on:
push:
branches: [main]
jobs:
deploy:
runs-on: macos-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v3
- name: Build iOS App
run: |
xcodebuild archive -scheme MyApp
- name: Upload to AppAmbit
run: |
curl -X POST https://api.appambit.com/upload \
-H "Authorization: Bearer ${{ secrets.APPAMBIT_API_KEY }}" \
-F "file=@MyApp.ipa"
Distribution Groups
Organize your testers into groups:
- Internal Team - Daily builds for QA
- Beta Testers - Weekly releases
- Stakeholders - Milestone builds
Advanced Features
Automatic Notifications
Configure automatic notifications when new builds are available:
- Email notifications to testers
- Slack/Discord webhooks
- In-app update prompts
Release Notes
Generate release notes automatically from:
- Git commit messages
- JIRA ticket descriptions
- Custom markdown files
Version Management
Track versions with:
{
"version": "1.2.0",
"build": "42",
"releaseNotes": "Bug fixes and performance improvements"
}
Best Practices
- Use semantic versioning (e.g., 1.2.3)
- Tag releases in your repository
- Automate release notes from commits
- Test builds before wide distribution
- Monitor crash rates after deployment
Resources
Duration: 8 minutes 15 seconds Difficulty: Intermediate Updated: December 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can I distribute builds automatically like I did in App Center?
Yes, you can automatically distribute builds from GitHub, Bitbucket, or Azure DevOps using the build and upload scripts included with each SDK.
Q How do I upload builds to AppAmbit?
Uploading is simple. See our comprehensive guide for step-by-step instructions.
Once uploaded, AppAmbit automatically distributes the build to your testers or release channels.
Q Do you provide CI/CD examples?
Yes. AppAmbit provides ready-to-use examples for GitHub Actions, Bitbucket Pipelines, and Azure DevOps. You can paste these directly into your workflow to automate builds and uploads.
Check out the CI/CD documentation for examples.
Q Do I need an existing CI pipeline?
No. Each SDK includes template pipelines for GitHub, Bitbucket, and Azure. You can paste one in and start building immediately, even if you've never configured CI before.
Q Which platforms are supported for distribution?
AppAmbit supports distribution for:
- iOS apps (.ipa files)
- Android apps (.apk and .aab files)
- .NET MAUI apps (iOS and Android)
- Flutter apps (iOS and Android)
Q How do testers install distributed builds?
Testers receive an email or notification with a link to install the build directly on their device. For iOS, we provide enterprise distribution and TestFlight integration. For Android, testers can install directly from the AppAmbit portal.
Ready to get started with AppAmbit?
Monitor your mobile apps with real-time crash reporting, analytics, and app distribution.
Start Free Trial