Where to find app url link in App Store Connect for beta app in the year 2019?

Question

Let me start with my is approved for external beta testers.

I looked for the answer to this question and kept coming across old answers that referenced iTunes Connect and were posted in 2015, 2016, 2017.

This is now 2019 and iTunes Connect has been renamed to App Store Connect and the layout has changed.

When my previous app was in beta, to get the App Store url I would have to go to iTunes Connect > MyApps (select the app I wanted) > App Information > and at the bottom there was a link that said View on App Store. Clicking that link would bring me to a blank page with my not yet live url as the url for my beta app.

At one time on iTunes Connect there was a More button that brought you there

The new App Store Connect layout doesn't have the View on App Store at the bottom anymore nor a More button listed in any visible area

I understand the App Store url link is formatted as follows and I can manually enter in the data myself:

"https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/MY_APP_NAME/idMy_APP_ID?mt=8" // this is what I previously used that worked fine

or

"itms-apps://itunes.apple.com/app/[appName]/[appID]" // I never used this, I found a couple of answers that said this is the new format??? I can't the link in App Store Connect to verify if this is true or not

But this is prone to typographical error. Who's ridiculous idea was it to change/remove/hide the View on App Store link and I now have to go to Stack Overflow to get a link and manually type or c+p this data in which can lead to an incorrect character being entered???

Anyhow where can I find the link to my beta app in App Store Connect in 2019 and presumably in 2020 unless they change it again for no apparent reason?

Answer 1

After updating new design of iTunes connect, apple has removed "View on App Store" button option to see your app link.

It's only display when your app is Approved by apple (first time). after it will always visible for that app.

Another option for us until apple will enable that option:

https://apps.apple.com/app/id{{appId}}

Reference: https://help.swiftic.com/hc/en-us/articles/201574352-Add-Your-App-s-Apple-App-Store-URL-to-your-Landing-Page

Answer 2

Short answer: It's only there once the app has at least one live version (= version that got approved by Apple).

I'm not sure why they removed it and you might file a bug report with Apple over here: https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/

The easiest way to construct the link is:

https://apps.apple.com/app/id{{appId}}

App name is optional and can be different for different languages. Same goes for the storefront identifier. (https://apps.apple.com/de/app/id529479190 -> German vs. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id529479190 English (U.S.)

Answer 3

I contacted Apple about this issue and this isn't an answer but the response they sent me fo far. I'll add the rest to it after they respond to my response:

Hello Lance,

Thank you for contacting Apple Developer Program Support. My name is Leo and I was glad to review your case. I understand that . You've come to the right place and I will be glad to help you. So that we can best assist you, what URL are you trying to find? Are you looking for an URL that leads to your app for a customer to find on the App Store? Or, are you looking for an URL that is in your scope as a developer?

Also, please provide the following, if applicable:

• Steps to reproduce the issue • Approximate date and time the error occurred (including the time zone) • Full-window screenshots or video illustrating the issue • Username of each user experiencing the issue • Web browsers that you were able to reproduce the issue in • Web browser version numbers

After we receive the requested information, we will investigate further and let you know when we have an update. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

https://developer.apple.com/contact/

For your reference, the case number for this correspondence is xxxxxxx88535.

Best regards,

Leo Apple Inc.

My Response

Hello Leo,

My app is currently in beta, it isn't live in the App Store yet so I have no customers and even if I did they wouldn't be able to download the app in beta via the App Store.

iTunes Connect has been renamed to App Store Connect. I would like to know where did you move the link that was initially under iTunes Connect > MyApps > App Information > and at the bottom there was a link that said View on App Store.

Even while in beta that link gave me the eventual link to my app inside the AppStore once it went live so customers would be able to download it. The url was constructed as: "https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/MY_APP_NAME/idMy_APP_ID?mt=8"

Where can I now find the "View on App Store" link inside App Store Connect?

Here is their final response

Hello Lance,

My name is Austin and I am a Senior Advisor with Apple Developer Program Support. I will be your new point of contact for this case.

I understand you are inquiring about the “View on App Store” option not showing for your app records. As your account does not have any apps on the App Store, this is expected behavior as this would not provide any function until an app is available on the App Store.

Please let me know if you have any further questions and I will be happy to assist you further.