Test and publish a new branded iOS app for public distribution

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated February 12, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Test and publish a new branded iOS app for public distribution

    This guide details the essential steps for ServiceNow customers to test, set up, approve, customize, and publish a new branded iOS app for public distribution after initiating a request in Mobile Publishing. It ensures your app meets branding, functionality, and compliance requirements before it becomes publicly available on the Apple App Store.

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    Test the app

    • After a successful build, download the iOS testing file from the Request details page under Mobile Branding.
    • If using Microsoft Intune MAM, register the app with Microsoft Entra ID as required before login.
    • Provision the app by creating an app ID and distribution certificate, editing and signing the XCArchive file, and uploading it via Xcode to App Store Connect. Refer to KB0997467 for detailed instructions and a helpful walkthrough video.
    • Add testers to a TestFlight group in App Store Connect and publish the build to that group to enable testers to receive testing invitations.
    • Use TestFlight to verify correct app name, icon, splash screen, branding, theming, default instance login, and legal policies (EULA and privacy policy).

    Set up the app

    • Optionally configure push notifications by creating an Apple push certificate (p12 file) and uploading it to your app's push application record. See KB1506609 and KB0829093 for guidance.
    • Optionally configure deep links and universal links by downloading and uploading the universal links file (AASA) to support seamless navigation within the app. Refer to KB1273622 and KB0831613 for details.

    Approve or reject the app

    • After testing, reject the app if branding, app name, app type, or third-party information needs changes. Use the Duplicate option to create a new app request with copied information.
    • Approve the build to proceed with publishing the app to end users.

    Customize your app's workflows

    Use Mobile App Builder to tailor your branded app’s workflows to meet your organizational needs. This customization enhances user experience and app functionality.

    Publish and distribute your app

    • Complete your Apple App Store listing on App Store Connect and submit the app for Apple’s final review before public release.
    • For any issues, file a Now Support case.
    • Refer to KB1649415 for metadata and app privacy instructions relevant to public distribution.

    Keep your app updated

    Maintain your app by updating it before major ServiceNow version upgrades or at least annually. Regular updates ensure push notifications remain functional and allow you to leverage the latest ServiceNow mobile capabilities.

    Learn the next steps to test and publish a new branded iOS app for public distribution after you request it in Mobile Publishing.

    1. Test the app

    After the build successfully completes and your app is ready for testing:
    1. (Optional) If you use Microsoft Intune mobile application management (MAM), Microsoft requires that iOS apps be registered with Microsoft Entra ID before anyone can log into the iOS app. For more information, see the following ServiceNow® Knowledge Base articles:
    2. Navigate to the Request details page by selecting All > Mobile Branding > Manage Mobile Publishing Apps > Your recent app requests.
    3. Select the card for your mobile app build request. The Request details page appears.

    4. Select the iOS testing file link and the file is downloaded to your local system for testing:

      Mobile Publishing UI showing the testing file download link

    5. Provision the app by doing the following:
      1. Create an app ID and distribution certificate.
      2. Edit and sign the XCArchive file.
      3. Use XCode to upload the app to the App Store Connect.
      See KB0997467 for step-by-step instructions.
      Note:
      Don't miss the walkthrough video ("Video Walkthrough.mp4") that is attached to KB0997467. It contains a lot of helpful information.
    6. Your testers receive an email from Apple TestFlight with a link to test your branded app.
      Note:
      You must add your testers to a TestFlight group on your AppStoreConnect account and then publish the TestFlight build to the testing group. Only after you perform these steps, do your testers receive an email from TestFlight.

      Use TestFlight to check the following:

      • App has the correct name, icon, splash screen, branding, and theming. For morning information, see Create a theme with Theme Builder.
      • App uses the default instance you specified for login if you selected the instance pre-fill option when you requested the branded app.
      • EULA and privacy policy listed in the mobile app Settings tab under Legal link to the policies you specified.

      See Apple documentation for information about using TestFlight.

    2. Set up the app

    After your Testflight testers have validated the branding and functionality of your app, you can set up your app for use. These configurations are optional.
    1. Set up push notifications by downloading the Apple push certificate (p12 file) and uploading it to your app's push application record:
      1. Create your push notification certificate (p12 file). For instructions, see KB1506609. When you perform this step, you create a push certificate password that you must use in Step 1c. below.
      2. Access the Push Applications table on your instance by navigating to All > Push Application.
      3. Configure your push applications. For instructions, see Configure push applications for iOS branded apps using certificate based authentication.
      4. (Optional) Test your push notifications by using out-of-the-box configurations. For more information, see KB0829093.
    2. (Optional) Set up deep links and universal links for your app by downloading the universal links file (AASA) in the Your app's info tab under the App info section.
      • See KB1273622 for more information about deep links and universal links.
      • See KB0831613 for information about how to upload your universal link AASA file.

    3. Approve or reject the app

    Once your TestFlight testers have tested your app for branding requirements and functionality:
    • Reject the app to edit the branding, app name, app type, or any third-party information. Use the Duplicate option to copy information over to a new app request after you have rejected the app.
    • Approve the build to move forward with publishing the app to your end users.

    4. Customize your app's workflows

    Use Mobile App Builder to customize your app. See Mobile App Builder for detailed information about how you can customize your branded app.

    5. Publish and distribute your app

    After you have tested your app, set it up, customized its workflows, and approved it, you are ready to publish your branded iOS app for public distribution:
    • Fill out your Apple app store listing on App Store Connect and publish the app.
    • Apple conducts a final review before posting the app to the public App Store. Please file a Now Support case for any issues.
    For instructions:

    6. Keep your app updated

    Update your app before you update your ServiceNow family version, or at least once per year to keep your push notifications working and to leverage the most up to date ServiceNow mobile features. For more information, see Tested devices and supported versions for ServiceNow mobile apps.