Updraft News Summer 21: Even easier (and safer!) app distribution for iOS and Android
It's been pretty quiet on our blog post for the last few months. That has a reason: We were busy developing new features and we've been doing a lot of designing, specifying and developing. So busy in fact, that we almost forgot to provide you with all the news!
However, now that we have released the latest version, we will go into some of the new features and explain their purpose. Among those are:
- Security I: Define if an app is private or public
- Security II: Two-factor authentication
- Build history: Change already uploaded app versions
- Mobile build history
- Notifications
- User management for owners of an organization
Define if an app is private or public
Judging by the amount of feedback, an important feature for all our customers has finally been released: For each created app you can now define whether it should be private or public. This allows you to make an app and its installation link available only to selected users who have to authenticate themselves first. This way you can control access to your app at any time.
https://docs.getupdraft.com/your-projects/app-overview/security
Two-factor authentication for Updraft (Finally!)
Another very important security feature for which it was high times that it was added is two-factor authentication (2FA) of course. Finally, all your users in your organisation can configure 2FA and thus further secure access to Updraft and their account.
As the owner of an Updraft organisation, you can also enforce 2FA for all your users and all user roles. Once enforced, all users must configure 2FA before they can continue to use Updraft and access the apps in your organisation.
https://docs.getupdraft.com/dash-board/account/profile-preferences/two-factor-authentication
Build history - change already uploaded app versions
This is a well known issue many app developers have: Your Enterprise app distribution certificate expires and you want to rebuild your app with the code state from back a while ago. But in the app version history, the app with the old code and the new certificate should appear in the same entry and not as the latest app version on the top? No problem anymore! With the new feature 'Exchange app version' you can change any already uploaded app version in the build history. This way, even after several years, you still have a clean listing of all your app versions - and they actually work.
https://docs.getupdraft.com/your-projects/builds/exchange-already-uploaded-build-app-version
For app testers: Mobile build history
For a long time, only the latest app version could be downloaded from Updraft's mobile web app. Now all your users can download all app versions in the logged-in area of the mobile version of Updraft, provided they have access to your app. Regression software testing and software testing on a specific app version just got alot easier! Our customers' software testers are happy, and so are we.
Improved notifications for new app versions
Too many notifications, too few notifications about new app versions: No issue any longer. You can now set all the notifications you and your users want to receive in the app settings. We also have updated the email notifications about the new app versions, so your users can directly scan the QR code in the email and download the latest app version even faster. They also see the app and build version in the email as well as the release notes - so it is always guaranteed that your users and testers test the right version of your app.
Notifications for new project members
You can give your users specific access per project - they just diden't know about it. This was a small but obvious one: Now your users will receive an email notification as soon as you grant them access to the project.
User Management for owners of an organization in Updraft
As an owner you have the possibility to manage all the users within your organization. You can see at any time which projects your users have access to and whether they have already configured 2FA - so you always have the latest overview of what is going on in your organization and can take the right measures.
https://docs.getupdraft.com/dash-board/usermanagement
What’s next for Updraft?
We are also keeping pace with the market and are constantly looking at how app distribution can be simplified on the one hand and linked to new tools on the other. In the next weeks not only the Microsoft Teams integration will launch, but we will also support the AAB (Android App Bundle) files - our backlog is full with new features and feature requests from the Updraft community.
Stay tuned, and if you are not already registered, try Updraft for free and sign up today for the easiest app distribution of your iOS and Android apps there is.
And if you have suggestions and ideas for even more improvements, you can always file a request on github or get in touch with us via twitter, linkedin or email.