Introducing Manus App Sharing and Testing: Streamlining Mobile Development

Introduction

Building a mobile app is only half the battle. For many developers and product builders, the most significant friction occurs after the code is written: the complex process of packaging, configuring, and distributing the app for testing. Navigating the requirements of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store can be a multi-day ordeal that kills momentum and delays critical user feedback.

Manus has addressed this bottleneck with its new App Sharing and Testing feature. This update aims to turn a technical maze into a streamlined, guided workflow, allowing creators to move from a finished build to a live testing environment on real devices with minimal overhead.

Streamlined Publishing Workflows

The new feature provides platform-specific solutions to automate the most tedious parts of the app distribution cycle.

For iOS: Direct TestFlight Integration

The integration with Apple's ecosystem is particularly robust. Manus handles:

• App Creation: Automatically setting up the app entry in your Apple developer account.
• Build Packaging: Preparing the iOS build without manual configuration.
• Automated Upload: Sending the build directly to App Store Connect.
• TestFlight Initiation: Triggering the review process and sending invitations to your developer email.

For Android: Automated AAB Packaging

For the Google Play ecosystem, Manus simplifies the technical requirements by:

• AAB Generation: Automatically packaging your app into the modern Android App Bundle format.
• Seamless Handoff: Providing direct links to the Google Play Console for final management and release.

How to Use App Sharing and Testing

Getting started with the new capabilities is designed to be intuitive for all Manus users with the "Develop Apps" capability.

Testing on iOS

1. Ensure you have an active Apple Developer account.
2. In Manus, navigate to the Publish section and select the iOS tab.
3. Click Create app and follow the guided on-screen instructions.
4. Once processed, check your email for the TestFlight invitation to install the app on your device.

Testing on Android

1. In your workspace, go to Publish to Google Play.
2. Allow Manus to package your app in the AAB format.
3. Use the provided link to navigate to your Google Play Console.
4. Upload the generated bundle to manage your internal or external testing tracks.

Why This Matters for Creators

The primary goal of this feature is speed and focus. By abstracting away the "release engineer" requirements, Manus enables:

• Accelerated Feedback: Gather real-world insights in minutes rather than days.
• Reduced Technical Debt: Avoid hours spent debugging build configurations or platform-specific documentation.
• Guided On-Ramps: Provides a clear path toward final app store submission by handling the initial, often most difficult, steps.

Conclusion

The journey from idea to a functional, testable mobile application should be seamless. With the introduction of App Sharing and Testing, Manus is making "move fast and iterate" a reality for mobile developers. By automating the logistical hurdles of the App Store and Google Play, creators can stay focused on what matters most: building great products.

Sources

• Introducing App Sharing and Testing: Your Path to Google Play Store and App Store