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Fastlane

Fastlane is an open-source toolchain that automates building, signing, testing, and releasing mobile apps — particularly useful for both iOS and Android in React Native projects.

What is it used for?​

  1. Automated Screenshot Generation

    • Capture localized screenshots across all languages and devices your app supports.
    • Define the setup once, and anyone on your team can regenerate screenshots later.
    • Runs headlessly — great for CI.
    • Perfect for App Store and Play Store submissions with proper localization.

  2. Beta Deployment

    • Publish builds to beta testers using TestFlight, Play Store internal track, or other services like Firebase App Distribution, HockeyApp, etc.
    • Automates: version bumping, code signing, building the app, uploading builds, setting changelogs

  3. App Store and Google Play Deployment

    • Fully automate release submissions.
    • Automatically submit new app versions for review.
    • Great for repeatable and reliable deployment workflows.

  4. Automatic Code Signing (iOS)

    • Handles provisioning profiles and certificates via match.
    • Stores them securely in a private, encrypted git repo.
    • Ensures every dev on the team can generate signed builds.

  5. CI/CD Integration

    • Integrates with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI).

Example: A simple Fastlane setup​

lane :release_ios do
  match(type: "appstore")           # Fetch provisioning profiles
  increment_build_number            # Bump build number
  build_app(scheme: "MyApp")        # Build the .ipa
  upload_to_testflight              # Send to TestFlight
end
lane :release_android do
  gradle(task: "clean assembleRelease")
  upload_to_play_store(track: "beta") # Push to Google Play beta track
end
Advantages
  • Repeatable: Makes the release process predictable across teams.
  • Reliable: Cuts down on human error in releases.
  • Time-saving: Automates the boring bits so you can focus on writing features.
  • Cross-platform: Works equally well for iOS and Android in React Native projects.
  • Team-friendly: Easy handoff for builds and distribution between devs and QA.