Fastlane is now supported by CodeBuild AWS for macOS.
Fastlane is now available in your AWS CodeBuild for macOS environments. AWS CodeBuild is a fully managed continuous integration solution that creates software packages that are ready for deployment by compiling source code and conducting tests.
An open source toolkit called Fastlane was created to automate certain parts of creating mobile applications. It gives creators of mobile applications a centralized suite of tools to handle things like code signing, creating screenshots, distributing beta versions, and submitting apps to the app store. It supports both iOS and Android development processes and connects with well-known continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) solutions.
Even though Fastlane has a lot of automation features, developers could run into problems setting it up and keeping it running. Fastlane configuration may be challenging, especially for teams who are not comfortable with Ruby’s syntax and package management system. It takes constant work to keep Fastlane and its dependencies current since changes to third-party services or mobile platforms may call for modifying current procedures.
AWS was aware that installing and maintaining Fastlane in your build environment was one of your concerns when AWS released CodeBuild for macOS in August 2024. Fastlane might be installed manually in a bespoke build environment, but with AWS, it takes the undifferentiated hefty lifting out of your infrastructure so you can focus more on the things that are important to your company. You may use the well-known command fastlane build in your buildspec.yaml file as of right now, as Fastlane is installed by default.
Code signing and the Fastlane
Developers must use a private key created on the Apple Developer portal to sign their binary in order to release an application on the App Store. Throughout the build process, this private key and the certificate proving its validity must be available. Development teams may find this difficult as team members must exchange the development private key, which permits deployment on specific test devices. Before uploading the binary to the App Store, the distribution private key, which permits publishing on the App Store, must also be accessible during the signing process.
Because it assists developers in managing development and distribution keys and certificates, Fastlane is a flexible build system. Developers may safely and conveniently distribute signing documents on individual developers’ computers and in the continuous integration environment by using fastlane match. match makes it possible to store mobile provisioning profiles, private keys, and certificates on a secure shared storage device. It ensures that the shared storage and the local build environment whether it’s a cloud server or a developer laptop remain in sync. It safely downloads the necessary certificates to sign your application at build time and sets up the build system so the codesign tool can retrieve them.
Through GitHub, GitLab, Google Cloud Storage, Azure DevOps, and Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), match enables the exchange of signing secrets.
You don’t need to do anything if you’re moving your projects to CodeBuild AWS and already utilize one of them. All you have to do is confirm that the shared storage is accessible to your CodeBuild AWS build environment.
Cost and accessibility
In every region where CodeBuild for macOS is accessible, Fastlane is now pre-installed on all macOS images that CodeBuild AWS utilizes at no additional cost. As of this writing, these are Europe (Frankfurt), Asia Pacific (Sydney), US West (Oregon), and US East (Ohio, N. Virginia).
Properly configuring fastlane match takes some time. It is rather simple to get it to function on CodeBuild once it is configured. Make sure it functions on your local computer before doing this on CodeBuild AWS. Verify that CodeBuild AWS has access to your secrets on AWS Secrets Manager and double-check the environment variable settings if something goes wrong with CodeBuild AWS.
Go ahead and build (on macOS) now!
Fastlane
Well-executed app automation
- The simplest method for developing and releasing mobile applications.
- Fastlane takes care of time-consuming jobs so you don’t have to.
Automate the process of development and release
- Fastlane is an open-source platform designed to make the deployment of iOS and Android more straightforward.
- You can automate every step of your development and release process using Fastlane.
Take screenshots automatically
Create screenshots of the local app store in a matter of minutes.
- Take translated snapshots automatically for every language and device that your software is compatible with.
- To enable everyone in the team to create screenshots, configure it once and save the setup.
- Fastlane takes screenshots without interfering with your other work, so focus on anything else.
Distribute beta versions
New beta builds may be easily distributed to testers, allowing you to quickly obtain insightful input.
- Automate the most laborious processes involved in beta distribution, such as generating and uploading the application, incrementing the build version, code signing, and creating a changelog.
- Support for more than 15 beta testing platforms, including as Play, Hockey, Crashlytics Beta, and TestFlight
- Switch between beta services at will without having to change the fastlane configuration.
Press a button to publish your app
Automate the deployment procedure in the app store.
- Establish a recurring, unique process for developing, uploading, and distributing new versions to the app store.
- Upload and control every piece of metadata for your app, including screenshots.
- Send updated versions of your software for evaluation automatically.
iOS code signing that happens automatically
Steer clear of the aggravating task of controlling code signing identities.
- To safely sync your code signing identities and profiles between computers, keep them in your own private, encrypted git repository.
- Every developer on your team can replicate signed builds on any machine once it’s configured.
