Fastlane
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What is Fastlane?
Fastlane is an open-source toolkit that automates building and releasing iOS and Android apps, including code signing, screenshots and uploads to App Store Connect and Google Play.
An open-source tool suite that automates the tedious processes of building and releasing iOS and Android apps, such as generating screenshots and managing certificates.
Fastlane replaces manual app store deployment processes with automated Ruby scripts. It interacts directly with the Apple App Store Connect API and Google Play Console to automatically sign binaries, generate localized marketing screenshots, update metadata, and push beta builds without human intervention.
How it relates to Orbit
Orbit’s Mobile Builds tab uses a capable Mac and Fastlane configuration for iOS Build and Ship actions. See Project Window for details.
When you would use it
You use Fastlane when you want to remove the manual, error-prone steps of packaging and submitting a mobile app to Apple and Google for release.
Common operations
- Automating TestFlight beta distribution via a single terminal command.
- Automatically generating and uploading App Store screenshots across all device sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fastlane work on Windows?
Android lanes can, but iOS builds and signing need a Mac with Xcode.
How does Orbit use Fastlane?
For iOS, Orbit checks that a Mac on your account has Fastlane and App Store Connect configured before it offers Build or Ship. See Project Window.