mobile-staging-production

Mobile Staging and Production

The Three Environments

Environment	Firebase Project	EAS Profile	RevenueCat	Distribution
Development	firebase-dev	development	Sandbox	Your device only
Staging	firebase-dev	preview	Sandbox	TestFlight / Internal Track
Production	firebase-prod	production	Live	App Store / Play Store

Two Firebase Projects

Create separate Firebase projects for dev and production:

my-app-dev        # Development + staging
my-app-prod       # Production only

Why separate?

• Dev data doesn't pollute production
• Can test destructive operations safely
• Different security rules for each

Switching Firebase Projects

Using google-services.json / GoogleService-Info.plist

Keep both config files:

config/
  firebase-dev/
    google-services.json
    GoogleService-Info.plist
  firebase-prod/
    google-services.json
    GoogleService-Info.plist

In eas.json, copy the right config at build time:

{
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "env": { "APP_ENV": "development" }
    },
    "preview": {
      "env": { "APP_ENV": "staging" }
    },
    "production": {
      "env": { "APP_ENV": "production" }
    }
  }
}

In app.config.ts:

const IS_PROD = process.env.APP_ENV === 'production';

export default {
  // ...
  android: {
    googleServicesFile: IS_PROD
      ? './config/firebase-prod/google-services.json'
      : './config/firebase-dev/google-services.json',
  },
  ios: {
    googleServicesFile: IS_PROD
      ? './config/firebase-prod/GoogleService-Info.plist'
      : './config/firebase-dev/GoogleService-Info.plist',
  },
};

RevenueCat Environments

RevenueCat automatically detects sandbox vs production based on the receipt:

• Sandbox purchases (from test accounts) are marked as sandbox
• Real purchases are marked as production
• Same API key for both - no switching needed

Testing Distribution

iOS: TestFlight

# Build for preview
eas build --profile preview --platform ios

# Submit to TestFlight
eas submit --platform ios

• Testers install via TestFlight app
• Requires Apple Developer account
• Reviews take a few minutes (much faster than App Store)

Android: Internal Testing Track

# Build for preview
eas build --profile preview --platform android

# Submit to internal testing
eas submit --platform android

• Share via Google Play Console internal testing link
• Testers install via Play Store (after accepting invite)
• No review process for internal track

Checklist: Dev -> Staging -> Production

Development

• Firebase dev project connected
• Development build on your device
• RevenueCat sandbox account created
• Push notifications working (real device only)

Staging (Preview)

• Preview build uploaded to TestFlight / Internal Track
• Test full purchase flow with sandbox accounts
• Test push notifications
• Test offline mode
• Get feedback from beta testers

Production

• Firebase production project created with separate data
• Security rules reviewed and tightened
• Production build signed and submitted
• App Store / Play Store listing complete (screenshots, description)
• Privacy policy URL set
• RevenueCat products linked to store products
• FCM server key configured for production