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Install on Phone

General Installation Information

This is only available with Loop 3.

The Loop app must be built at least every 90 days when using a browser to build. With version 3.4.0 and later, the build is automatic. It is recommended you manually install the new build using TestFlight at your convenience.

After you Build the Loop App with a browser and it has automatically uploaded to the TestFlight app, you are ready to install on as many phones as you and your family members need.

  • If you later need to add an adult family member to your list, refer to Set Up Users and Access (TestFlight).

  • Children (under 13 in US, varies by country) cannot use TestFlight with their ID. When you use TestFlight for a Child, you will need to use your ID on their phone (not the whole phone - just the Media & Purchase portion), so send the TestFlight invitation to the email associated with your ID.

Install TestFlight

If you already have the TestFlight app installed on your phone, skip ahead to Install App with TestFlight.

To install TestFlight, refer to the GIF below:

  • On the phone, open the App Store and Search for TestFlight
  • Install or Download to that phone TestFlight
    • Hint: On child's phone, do this while logged in as yourself for Media & Purchase
    • Logging in as an adult is explained in TestFlight for a Child

search for and dowload TestFlight

Install App with TestFlight

Once you get an email that the TestFlight processing completed, you can install the app on your phone. Note this can be half-hour to an hour after the build displays the green check mark on your browser.

The first time you use TestFlight on any phone associated with a given email, you must Redeem the code sent to that email inviting you to test the app. The GIF below is for someone who has never used TestFlight.

  • Initial screen indicates there are no Apps available to test, tap on Redeem
  • Enter your code and tap redeem to enter it
  • Click on OK to acknowledge
  • Click on Install

redeem the code from email in testflight

If you already have the Loop app on the phone, you'll see the warning about possible loss of data. Don't worry, all your settings remain. Go ahead with the installation.

  • If you are building Loop 3.x over Loop 2.x, you will be required to go through Onboarding

Subsequent Times on Phone

  • Open the TestFlight app and find the name you used for your Loop app in the Create Loop App in App Store Connect step
  • Tap on Install
    • If you already have the Loop app installed on this phone, you will be warned that the app already exists on your phone and that you might lose data
    • Click Install again (your pump connection and all your data will be fine)
  • Choose Open
  • Make sure the Loop app is operating as expected

install Loop from TestFlight

Automatic Update, Build, Install

The instructions on the Configure to Use Browser page will, unless you make a change, automatically take the following actions for released versions 3.4.0 and later:

  • Update the version of your fork within a week of the change
    • When an update to the default branch, typically main, is detected, a new build is created automatically and uploaded to TestFlight
  • Build the app at least once a month and upload to TestFlight

It is already true that, unless you make a change, the default setting will:

  • Install each new build from TestFlight on the phone as soon as it is detected

Recommendation

Recommended settings:

If you are running the development code, you may prefer to turn off the automatic update, but keep the automatic build. To read more about modifying automatic update and build options, please read Automatic Update & Build.

Disable Automatic Install from TestFlight

Once the app is available in TestFlight, you can adjust whether it is automatically installed when updated versions are available. We recommend you disable automatic installation so you can choose when to switch to a newer build, which in some cases, may be a newer version.

Go back to the TestFlight app on your phone and tap on your app name in the list to see an expanded screen similar to the graphic below. The row to enable or disable automatic updates is highlighted in the graphic, which shows the feature disabled. This is recommended for all users.

  • If you leave automatic update enabled (default), then whenever a new build is created and uploaded to TestFlight , it will be installed immediately (see Unexpected TestFlight Beta Expiration)
  • WARNING: If you switch between Building with Browser and Mac, you must disable automatic update or Xcode will not be able to install to your phone

enable or disable automatic update for Loop

When you are ready to install, just open the TestFlight app and click Install to get the most recent build and then click Open when it completes the installation. All your settings and connections to CGM and Pump are maintained.

Previous Builds

If you tap on the bottom row that says Previous Builds, highlighted by the dashed-green rectangle, you can view and choose an older (or lower version number) build (as long as it has not expired).

  • In some cases, you need to do this to see the newest build
  • For example, it you build version 3.5.0 (dev branch) accidentally and then switched to 3.4.x (main branch), TestFlight shows you the 3.5.0 version on the screen and you need to go to previous builds to find your newer 3.4.x build

Unexpected TestFlight Beta Expiration

Apple TestFlight Bug

It doesn't happen to everyone but it has happened a few times over the years and only for people who have Automatic Update enabled for their TestFlight app.

Symptom:

  • App has plenty of time before expiration
  • A new build becomes available, for example from the automatic monthly rebuild
  • User is told Loop Beta is not available

Solution:

  • Open TestFlight and turn off automatic installation for your app
  • Install the previous version of the app on the phone manually (with monthly build, it should still be ok)
  • Manually start a new build (if there were updates you want to get)
  • Manually install the new update

More information:

TestFlight for a Child

The adult (Apple Developer Account owner) can log into Media & Purchase (see steps below) without affecting the child Apple ID associated with a phone (and thus their health records used by the Loop app). After the adult installs or updates the app using TestFlight, they probably should reverse those steps to remove their credentials from Media & Purchase.

Media & Purchase affects access to the App Store, Books, Music and Podcasts.

On the Child phone:

  • Tap on Settings
  • At the very top of Settings, tap on the Name of the phone, for example, my kids phone
  • Apple ID Screen appears
    • Tap on Media & Purchases
    • Tap on Sign Out, and confirm
    • Sometimes the phone requires a reboot before you can sign in with a different ID
  • Sign in with the adult (Apple Developer Account owner) Apple ID and password
  • Install or Update the app from TestFlight on child phone
  • Repeat the process to sign out the adult and (if needed) sign back in the child

Change the App Store Connect Name

Suppose you really don't like the name you picked initially for the Loop app that shows up in the TestFlight app.

You can change it.

Open this link: App Store Connect Apps and log in as needed.

  • Click on your app name.
  • Click on App Information on the left side (make browser wider if you don't see this).
  • Modify the Name under Localizable Information and click on the Save button (upper left)
  • If you chose a name that is in use, you'll see the warning screen - try again