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Browser Overview

Build with a Browser

  • Loop 3 can be built with a web browser using GitHub Actions
  • The app is then installed by you on your phone using the TestFlight app
  • If you prefer to use Xcode on your Mac, head over to Build with Mac
  • As long as you use the same Apple Developer account, the app you build is the same regardless of build method
    • When you install the app on your phone, settings and history are preserved; pump and CGM remain attached; selected Services are maintained

Requirements

Phone, CGM and Pump

To use the Loop app, you need:

Accounts

To build the Loop app using a browser, you need:

  1. Free GitHub account: (instructions found at New GitHub Account)
  2. Paid Apple Developer account: ($99/year; instructions found at Apple Developer Account)

Instructions to Build with a Browser

The Short Version

Complete instructions are found at this link for those comfortable with using GitHub and navigating the Apple Developer and Apple App Connect pages.

How-to Video to Build with a Browser

In addition to the pages linked below in Configure to use Browser, there is a narrated video of each step needed to build using a browser. (This video shows build steps for version 3.2.3 or older. Some items are simplified for version 3.4.1 and newer.)

Configure to use Browser

The steps on these pages must be completed (in order) for you to build an app using a browser:

  1. Introduction and Summary
  2. Collect Secrets
  3. Prepare Fork
  4. Identifiers
  5. Prepare App
  6. Create Certificates
  7. Build the Loop App
  8. TestFlight Users

The pages of instructions listed above give detailed steps on how to build the Loop app. If you are building a different app, you can follow the detailed instructions but will need to know the Fork, App Name, Identifiers and in some cases App Group for the App you intend to build. Once you build one app, subsequent apps are much easier to build.

Install on Phone

Instructions to install on a phone are found at:

What if I get stuck?

Try to:

  • Scroll back in the directions and see if you missed a paragraph or step
  • Compare your display with the graphics in LoopDocs
    • Is something different or does yours have an error message?
    • Does the Error message guide you to the problem and solution?
    • Be aware that GitHub sometimes updates displayed names or locations for menu items - search for GitHub directions if your display looks different than our documentation

Errors while Configuring and Building

If you get an error that you cannot figure out, reach out for help before you get frustrated or begin to delete things - let a mentor help you:

Update the App

Instructions to make updates are found at:

There is also a helpful video for this process. Once again, this was prepared for an earlier version 3.2.3 or older. With version 3.4.1 and newer, the update and build is automatic:

Other Topics

Building the Development Version of the App

For experienced and/or advanced users who want to build the development version of the app, there is additional information at the link below. If you have not built using the browser build method before, it is suggested you first build the released version. Once you have a successful build, then follow the steps for the development version. Building the app is independent of installing the app on your phone from TestFlight.

Mac vs Browser

These considerations were prepared when most people were using a Mac computer to build the Loop app.

  • Mac computer is not required to build or install the app
    • Anything with a browser works to build the Loop app: PC, Tablet, Mac or iPad
    • The TestFlight app is used to install the Loop app on your iPhone
  • Compatible version of Xcode is provided by GitHub
    • The time required for the initial setup to build with a browser may take less time than one macOS and Xcode version update for those using Build with Mac
  • Automatic Updates are loaded into TestFlight
    • With version 3.4, builds are automatically prepared at least once a month
    • You choose when to install the new app from TestFlight onto your phone
  • Manual Updates are easy
    • Starting an update takes a few minutes of your time; it can be done from your phone; the rest is automatic and is done in about an hour
  • After the GitHub Build starts, your app is ready to install on your iPhone in about an hour
  • The app is delivered to your phone via TestFlight
    • The app is considered "Beta" by Apple and expires after 90 days
    • Loop 3.4  and later versions provide automatic build as the default
  • Customization methods are documented at Customize with Browser