Firebase Beta Testing Overview
As of January 2025, Firebase will be used by ExLibris campusM to distribute iOS and Android Beta releases to app Beta testers. (Firebase will be replacing App Center for this purpose.)
To become a Beta tester for an app, you must receive an invitation to test a specific app. The invitation will arrive as an email from Firebase and the Ex Libris account with which their project is associated will appear as the contact information of the developer (e.g., ExLibrisMobileApps@exlibrisgroup.com). It will contain a link to the app installation file on Firebase.
Before you can use Firebase on an iOS mobile device, you must provision the device by installing the Firebase profile and registering the device with Ex Libris. Once you have done this, Ex Libris must process the registration before you can download Beta versions of the app when they are made available. iOS Beta releases are available for download within 5 business days of a new device being registered. Instructions for registering are below.
Android does not require Beta releases to be provisioned for specific devices. Testers can install Android Beta releases on their device immediately, without having to wait for Ex Libris to make any changes, by selecting the link in the invitation. The only requirements are that the device's security settings allow you to install apps from unknown sources, and that you log into Firebase with a Google account. (If you do not have a Google account, you can create one the first time you log in.) For additional information about getting Firebase set up on your Android device, see Get set up as a tester with App Distribution.
Downloading a Beta App for Testing
When a Beta version of the app becomes available for you to test, you will receive an email notification with a link to the app installation file.
To download a Beta version of the app:
- Open the email invitation you received on the mobile device on which you want to install the app.
- In the email notification, select Get started. The invitation opens in your browser.
- Sign in with a Google account.
- Select the I consent to Firebase... checkbox, and then select Start testing on this device.
- Select Download to download the file.
- Open the file to install the Beta app.
Registering iOS Devices
Before you can download and install a Beta app on an iOS device, the device must be provisioned. This process requires you to perform the following actions on the device, after which Ex Libris must make certain modifications to the app itself. Only when both of these processes have been completed can you install a Beta app on the iOS device. For additional information about getting Firebase set up on your iOS device, see Get set up as a tester with App Distribution.
iOS Beta releases are available for download within 5 business days of a new device being registered. If you do not receive a notification in this time after registering a new device, contact Ex Libris.
The maximum number of each device type that you can register per membership year is:
- Apple TV: 100
- Apple Watch: 100
- iPad: 100
- iPhone: 100
- iPod Touch: 100
To set up an iOS device for Beta testing:
- Ensure Developer Mode is enabled on the device on which you want to install the app. (This mode must be enabled in order to install apps by other means than the App Store.) To enable Developer Mode on the device:
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security and select Developer Mode.
- If Developer Mode is not enabled, tap the switch to enable it. An alert appears, warning you that Developer Mode reduces the security of your device.
- In the alert, select the Restart button. The device restarts with Developer Mode enabled.
- Open the email invitation you received on the mobile device on which you want to install the app.
- Select Get started. The invitation opens in your browser. It is best to use Safari for this purpose.
- Sign in with a Google account. (If you do not have a Google account, you can create one at this point.)
- Select the I consent to Firebase... checkbox, and then select Start testing on this device. A list of apps available for you to download from Firebase appears.
If this is your first time accessing Firebase, an Install button appears at the bottom of the screen. Select this button if you want to add the App Distribution link to your home screen (for convenience). - Install the Firebase profile that enables the device to be added to the build manifest for distribution outside of the app store:
- Select Register device.
- Under How to install, select Download profile. A Profile Downloaded message appears when the Firebase profile has been downloaded.
- Open the device Settings, and select Profile Downloaded. The Install Profile screen opens.
- Select Install. The profile is installed. In the Safari window, a Profile installed! message appears. In addition, a notification is sent to Ex Libris that a new device has been registered. Ex Libris will then provision the app for the new device.
- Select Done. A Device registered, you're all set! message appears.