Firebase App Distribution Setup

Firebase App Distribution Setup

Posted on by Toma Velev

I’ll give you a step-by-step guide for setting up a new device on Firebase App Distribution for both Android and iOS, including all the important details you need.

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before adding a new device:

  1. You must have Firebase project set up.
  2. You need to have App Distribution enabled in your Firebase project.
  3. You must be a tester or developer added to the App Distribution group.
  4. Have access to the device you want to add.

Step 2: Add a New Device in Firebase App Distribution

Firebase App Distribution does not automatically detect new devices like TestFlight; you need to register your device to allow app installation.

For Android Devices

A. Get the device’s information

  1. Install the app using Firebase App Distribution requires the device’s Google account if using email, but for debugging or testing, you mainly need the device’s APK compatibility.
  2. Unlike iOS, Android doesn’t require registering UDID. Any device with Google Play services can install the APK if it’s compatible.

B. Distribute the app to the device

  1. Go to the Firebase Console → App Distribution → Your App.
  2. Click “Distribute”.
  3. Select APK or AAB you want to distribute.
  4. Choose testers (you can add emails of your testers).
  5. Firebase sends an email to testers.
  6. On the Android device, open the email, click the link, and download the APK.
  7. Allow install from unknown sources if prompted.
  8. Install and run the app.

Tip: For internal testers, make sure they use the same Google account you added in Firebase.

For iOS Devices

iOS is stricter and requires the device UDID to be registered in Firebase.

A. Get the device UDID

  1. Via Mac & Finder/Xcode:
    • Connect the iPhone to your Mac.
    • Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older macOS).
    • Select the device → Serial Number → click to reveal UDID.
  2. Via iOS App:
    • Use an app like UDID Finder.
    • Copy the UDID.

B. Register the device in Firebase

  1. Go to Firebase Console → App Distribution → Your App → Testers & Groups.
  2. Click “Add tester”.
  3. Enter the tester’s email.
  4. For iOS, you also need to ensure the device UDID is in the provisioning profile:
    • Go to Apple Developer Portal → Devices → Register new device.
    • Add the UDID.
  5. Update the iOS provisioning profile with the new device UDID:
    • Download the updated .mobileprovision profile.
    • Rebuild the IPA using Xcode with the updated profile.

C. Distribute the app

  1. Go to Firebase Console → App Distribution → Your App → Distribute.
  2. Upload the new IPA built with updated provisioning profile.
  3. Select testers and send the invitation.
  4. Testers will get an email invitation.
  5. On the iOS device, open the email → tap “Open in Firebase App Tester” → install the app.

Important: If the UDID is not in the provisioning profile, the app will not install.

Step 3: Verify Installation

  1. Once the tester installs the app:
    • Firebase Console will show the device as active under the app distribution.
    • You can track crashes, feedback, and version info per device.

Step 4: Troubleshooting

Issue Android iOS
App won’t install Enable “Install unknown apps” UDID not in provisioning profile
Tester not receiving email Check correct email Check Apple ID/email mismatch
Firebase tester not recognized Sign in to Firebase App Tester Make sure provisioning profile is correct

✅ Summary:

  • Android: Just distribute APK/AAB; no UDID registration needed.
  • iOS: Must register UDID in Apple Developer Portal, update provisioning profile, rebuild IPA, then distribute via Firebase.