App Store Deployment (iOS)

Guide for deploying TrickBook to the Apple App Store via TestFlight.

Prerequisites

• Apple Developer Account ($99/year)
• Xcode installed (for local testing)
• EAS CLI installed (npm install -g eas-cli)
• Logged into EAS (eas login)

Current Status

Item	Status
Bundle ID	com.thetrickbook.trickbook
Current Version	1.0.8
App Store	Live
TestFlight	Available

Deployment Steps

Step 1: Pre-Flight Checks

cd TrickList

# Ensure dependencies are up to date
npm install

# Verify app.json configuration
cat app.json | grep -A5 '"ios"'

# Check EAS configuration
eas build:list --platform ios --limit 3

Step 2: Build for TestFlight

# Start the build
eas build --platform ios --profile testflight

# Monitor build progress
eas build:view

Build takes approximately 15-30 minutes.

Step 3: Submit to TestFlight

# Auto-submit to TestFlight
eas submit --platform ios --latest

# Or specify build ID
eas submit --platform ios --id BUILD_ID

Step 4: TestFlight Configuration

In App Store Connect:

1. Go to My Apps → TrickBook

2. Click TestFlight tab

3. Under Test Information:

   • Add beta app description
   • Add contact email
   • Add test notes for reviewers

4. Under Internal Testing:

   • Add internal testers (up to 100)
   • Testers receive invite via email

5. Under External Testing (requires review):

   • Create test group
   • Add external testers
   • Submit for Beta App Review

Step 5: App Store Submission

When ready for production:

1. In App Store Connect → App Store tab

2. Create new version (e.g., 1.0.9)

3. Fill out:

   • Version description / What's New
   • Keywords
   • Support URL
   • Marketing URL
   • Screenshots (required sizes)
   • App Preview videos (optional)

4. Select build from TestFlight

5. Submit for App Review

App Store Connect Checklist

App Information

• App name: TrickBook
• Bundle ID: com.thetrickbook.trickbook
• SKU: trickbook
• Primary language: English

Privacy

• Privacy Policy URL
• Data collection declarations
• No encryption (ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption: false)

App Review Information

• Contact name
• Contact phone
• Contact email
• Demo account (if login required)

Screenshots Required

Device	Size	Required
iPhone 6.7"	1290 x 2796	3 minimum
iPhone 6.5"	1284 x 2778	3 minimum
iPhone 5.5"	1242 x 2208	Optional
iPad 12.9"	2048 x 2732	If supporting iPad

iOS-Specific Configuration

Info.plist Permissions

// app.json
"ios": {
  "infoPlist": {
    "NSCameraUsageDescription": "This app uses the camera to access photos for a profile image.",
    "ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption": false
  }
}

Capabilities

Currently configured:

• Push Notifications: Not enabled
• Sign in with Apple: Not enabled
• Background modes: Not enabled

Troubleshooting

Build Failures

# View build logs
eas build:view --logs

# Clear cache and rebuild
eas build --platform ios --profile testflight --clear-cache

Signing Issues

# Regenerate certificates
eas credentials --platform ios

# Reset and recreate
eas credentials --platform ios --reset

Submission Rejection

Common reasons:

1. Missing privacy policy - Add URL in App Store Connect
2. Crasher/bug - Test thoroughly before submission
3. Incomplete metadata - Fill all required fields
4. Guideline violation - Review Apple's guidelines

Version Bumping

EAS handles version increments automatically with autoIncrement: true.

Manual override:

# Set specific version
eas build:version:set --platform ios --build-number 15

Monitoring

View Analytics

App Store Connect → Analytics:

• Downloads
• Sales
• Usage
• Crashes

Crash Reports

App Store Connect → App Analytics → Metrics → Crashes

Or integrate crash reporting:

# Add Sentry
npx expo install @sentry/react-native

Release Checklist

Before each release:

• Test all features on physical device
• Test on multiple iOS versions (15, 16, 17)
• Verify API endpoints work
• Check push notifications (if enabled)
• Update version number
• Write release notes
• Take new screenshots (if UI changed)
• Submit for review
• Monitor for issues after release