Testers open TestFlight and see no build, or only an old one. A build passes through a few states, and it only reaches testers in the last one. Find the state, and you know who has to act.
The three states
Uploaded -> Processing -> (Review, first external build) -> Available to testers
- Processing. After upload, App Store Connect processes the build. It is not testable until this ends. Check the build's status in App Store Connect. (Apple's page does not describe this state; it is practical knowledge.)
- Review. Apple's page says: "When you add the first build of your app to a group, the build gets sent to App Review", and "Testing can begin once a build is approved" (retrieved 2026-10-24). It also says "A review is required only for the first build. Subsequent builds may not require a full review." The page adds that a beta build "may require review" if you invite external testers.
- Available. The build is assigned to a group and testers can install it.
Where is yours stuck?
| What you see | Meaning | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Still processing | Wait; if it never ends, upload again | You / Apple |
| Waiting for review | First external build in review | Apple |
| Approved, but testers see nothing | Build not assigned to the group, or tester not in the group | You |
| Only an old build | New build not added to the group, or tester has not updated | You / tester |
| Build gone | Older than 90 days | You |
Fix checklist
- Open the build in App Store Connect and read its status.
- Open the external group. Is the build added? Are the testers in the group?
- Internal testers (App Store Connect users, up to 100) are a separate group type; Apple describes the review for external testers. For a quick check, use them while the external review runs.
- Ask the tester to pull to refresh in TestFlight and check the app's page in the list.
- If the build is older than 90 days, upload a new one. See build expired.
- If the tester never got access, check the invitation: invitation not received.
Plan ahead
Do not upload the first build for external testers the evening before you need it. The review time has no fixed number on Apple's page. See why the first build waits.
Want testers with structured feedback once the build is live? Start here.
Related: App testing problems: causes and fixes, TestFlight build expired, Beta App Review waiting.