I’m having an issue where my TestFlight build is visible to a tester, but installation fails immediately.
App details:
- Platform: iOS
- Version/builds affected: 0.3.0 (5) and 0.3.0 (6)
- Device tested: iPhone 14 running iOS 26.5
- App status in App Store Connect: Prepare for Submission
- The app has not been publicly released.
What happens: The tester can see the app in the TestFlight app under “Currently Testing”. The Install button is visible. However, tapping Install shows this error:
“Could not install "App" Workspace. The requested app is not available or doesn’t exist.”
The issue occurred with build 0.3.0 (5), then again after uploading a fresh build 0.3.0 (6).
What I have already checked/tried:
- Build uploads completed successfully in App Store Connect.
- Build 0.3.0 (5) processed successfully.
- Build 0.3.0 (6) was uploaded as a fresh build.
- Build 0.3.0 (6) includes
ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption = falsein Info.plist. - The build is assigned to the internal testing group.
- The tester invite shows as accepted.
- I tried using a separate Apple ID/email address that I control.
- The tester account can see the app in TestFlight.
- I deleted and reinstalled TestFlight on the device.
- I confirmed the device/TestFlight account is signed in with the tester Apple ID.
- Pricing has been set to Free.
- App Availability has been configured for the relevant region.
- The app is showing “Prepare for Submission”, not “Removed from Sale”.
- The build appears in TestFlight, but install still fails.
Has anyone seen this state before, where TestFlight can display the app and build to an accepted tester, but install fails with “The requested app is not available or doesn’t exist”?
Is there any App Store Connect availability, storefront, app version, or backend distribution state that can cause this? Any guidance on what to check next would be appreciated.