🧪 Tester Guide
Welcome to Catch Vault testing! This guide will help you access and test the app on both iOS and Android platforms.
📋 Quick Navigation
🍎 iOS Testing via TestFlight
Testing Catch Vault on iOS is done through Apple's TestFlight platform. This allows you to test the app before it's released to the App Store.
Download the TestFlight app from the App Store if you haven't already. TestFlight is Apple's official beta testing platform that allows you to test apps before they're publicly available.
Search for "TestFlight" in the App Store and install the official Apple app
You'll receive an email invitation to test Catch Vault. The email will contain a link to join the testing program. Click the "Start Testing" button in the email, or open the TestFlight link directly on your iOS device.
Email from Apple with "Start Testing" button and testing instructions
✅ Pro Tip
Make sure to open the invitation on the same iOS device you want to test on. The invitation is tied to your Apple ID and device.
Once you've accepted the invitation, open the TestFlight app on your device. You'll see Catch Vault listed as an available test. Tap "Install" next to Catch Vault to download and install the app.
TestFlight app showing Catch Vault with "Install" button and version information
Note: The installation process is similar to installing any app from the App Store, but you'll see a "TestFlight" badge on the app icon.
When you first open Catch Vault, you'll be asked to grant permissions for:
- Camera: For taking photos of your catches and tackle
- Location: For GPS tracking, venue mapping, and weather data
- Notifications: For app updates, reminders, and fishing alerts
- Photo Library: For saving and accessing photos
iOS system dialogs asking for Camera, Location, and Notifications permissions
⚠️ Permission Requirements
All permissions are required for full app functionality. Without location access, you won't be able to use GPS features or weather data. Without camera access, you can't take photos of your catches.
On first launch, Catch Vault will guide you through:
- Creating your account or signing in
- Setting up your profile
- Configuring notification preferences
- Taking a tour of the main features
App onboarding screens showing account setup and feature introduction
While testing, you can provide feedback directly through TestFlight:
- Shake your device to open the TestFlight feedback form
- Take screenshots and add annotations
- Report bugs or suggest improvements
- Rate your testing experience
TestFlight feedback interface with bug reporting and rating options
⚠️ Important Notes for iOS Testing
- Expiration: TestFlight apps expire after 90 days and need to be renewed
- App Limit: You can only have 10 TestFlight apps installed at once
- Functionality: TestFlight apps may have limited functionality compared to production apps
- Updates: Always use the latest version available in TestFlight
- Data: Test data may be reset between versions
- Performance: Beta versions may have performance issues or bugs
✅ Testing Checklist for iOS
- Test app installation and first launch
- Verify all permissions are granted correctly
- Test core features: logging catches, taking photos, GPS tracking
- Test offline functionality (airplane mode)
- Test app updates through TestFlight
- Test app behavior when backgrounded and reopened
- Test on different iOS versions if possible
🤖 Android Testing via Google Play
Testing Catch Vault on Android is done through Google Play's internal testing program. This allows you to test the app before it's released to the public.
You'll receive an email invitation to join the internal testing program for Catch Vault. The email will contain a link to join the testing program. Click the link in the invitation email to join.
Email from Google Play with testing invitation and "Join Testing" button
✅ Pro Tip
Make sure you're signed into the same Google account on your Android device that received the invitation. The testing program is tied to your Google account.
Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device and search for "Catch Vault" or use the direct link provided in the invitation. You should see the app with a "Testing" badge.
Google Play Store showing Catch Vault with "Testing" badge and "Install" button
Note: The app will show as "Testing" rather than the regular app listing, indicating you're accessing the beta version.
Tap "Install" to download and install Catch Vault on your Android device. The installation process is the same as any other app from the Play Store. The app will appear in your app drawer once installed.
Google Play Store showing installation progress and "Open" button after installation
⚠️ Installation Requirements
Make sure your device meets the minimum requirements and has sufficient storage space. The app requires Android 6.0 (API level 23) or higher.
When you first open Catch Vault, you'll be asked to grant permissions for:
- Camera: For taking photos of your catches and tackle
- Location: For GPS tracking, venue mapping, and weather data
- Storage: For saving photos and app data
- Notifications: For app updates, reminders, and fishing alerts
- Microphone: For voice notes and audio features
Android system dialogs asking for Camera, Location, Storage, and Notifications permissions
⚠️ Permission Requirements
All permissions are required for full app functionality. You can grant permissions individually or all at once. If you deny a permission, you can later enable it in Android Settings > Apps > Catch Vault > Permissions.
On first launch, Catch Vault will guide you through:
- Creating your account or signing in
- Setting up your angler profile
- Configuring notification preferences
- Taking a tour of the main features
- Setting up your first fishing venue
App onboarding screens showing account setup and feature introduction
While testing, you can provide feedback through Google Play Console:
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Go to "My apps & games" > "Testing"
- Find Catch Vault and tap "Send feedback"
- Report bugs or suggest improvements
- Rate your testing experience
Google Play Console feedback interface with bug reporting and rating options
If you prefer to install the APK directly (for advanced users):
- Download the APK file from the provided link
- Enable "Install from unknown sources" in Android settings
- Tap the APK file to install
- Follow the installation prompts
Android APK installation dialog with "Install" button and permission warnings
⚠️ APK Installation Warning
Only install APK files from trusted sources. Direct APK installation bypasses Google Play's security checks and may pose security risks.
⚠️ Important Notes for Android Testing
- Unknown Sources: Enable "Install from unknown sources" if installing APK directly
- Version Numbers: Android testing apps may have different version numbers than production
- Functionality: Some features may be limited in testing versions
- Updates: Always check for updates in the Google Play Store
- Data: Test data may be reset between versions
- Performance: Beta versions may have performance issues or bugs
- Device Compatibility: Test on different Android versions if possible
✅ Testing Checklist for Android
- Test app installation and first launch
- Verify all permissions are granted correctly
- Test core features: logging catches, taking photos, GPS tracking
- Test offline functionality (airplane mode)
- Test app updates through Google Play
- Test app behavior when backgrounded and reopened
- Test on different Android versions if possible
- Test both portrait and landscape orientations
- Test with different screen sizes and densities
⭐ Key Features to Test
Catch Vault is a comprehensive fishing companion app with advanced features designed for serious anglers. Here are the key features you should test during your testing period.
🎣 Core Fishing Features
Test the complete catch logging workflow:
- Species Selection: Choose from the comprehensive fish species database
- Weight & Measurements: Record weight, length, and girth measurements
- Photo Capture: Take multiple photos with the advanced camera system
- Location Recording: GPS tracking and venue selection
- Weather Data: Automatic weather conditions at time of catch
- Session Linking: Connect catches to fishing sessions
Complete catch logging interface showing species, weight, photos, and location
Test the sophisticated photo management system:
- Multiple Photos: Upload up to 10 photos per catch
- Photo Cropping: Crop and edit photos before saving
- Photo Organization: Automatic categorization and tagging
- Photo Quality: Test different lighting conditions and angles
- Storage Management: Check photo compression and storage efficiency
Photo management system with cropping tools and multiple photo options
📍 Location & Mapping Features
Test the comprehensive venue management system:
- Create Venues: Add new fishing locations with GPS coordinates
- Edit Venues: Modify existing venue information
- Venue Search: Find venues by name, location, or proximity
- Venue Analytics: View catch statistics per venue
- Private Venues: Create private venues for exclusive access
Venue management system with GPS mapping and venue details
Test the advanced lake mapping features:
- Swim Marking: Mark specific fishing spots on lake maps
- Feature Recording: Record underwater features and structures
- Depth Mapping: Record water depth at different locations
- Compass Navigation: Use the built-in compass for navigation
- Offline Maps: Test map functionality without internet connection
Interactive lake map with marked swims and recorded features
🎒 Tackle & Equipment Management
Test the comprehensive tackle management:
- Add Tackle: Create detailed tackle items with photos
- Organize Tackle: Categorize and organize tackle by type
- Tackle Tracking: Track tackle usage and effectiveness
- Rig Builder: Create custom fishing rigs with detailed diagrams
- Bait Management: Track bait types, effectiveness, and usage
Tackle management system showing tackle items, categories, and organization
Test the fishing session tracking system:
- Create Sessions: Start new fishing sessions with location and time
- Session Tracking: Track session duration and conditions
- Catch Linking: Link catches to specific sessions
- Session Analytics: Review session performance and statistics
- Session Sharing: Share session data with other anglers
Session tracking system with active session and catch logging
📊 Analytics & Reporting Features
Test the comprehensive analytics system:
- Catch Statistics: View detailed catch statistics and trends
- Venue Performance: Analyze catch rates by venue
- Seasonal Analysis: Review catch patterns by season and weather
- Species Analysis: Track success rates for different fish species
- Personal Records: View and track personal best catches
Analytics dashboard showing catch statistics, trends, and performance metrics
Test the data export and sharing capabilities:
- Export Data: Export catch data to CSV or PDF formats
- Photo Export: Export photos with catch data
- Report Generation: Generate detailed fishing reports
- Social Sharing: Share catches and achievements on social media
- Backup & Sync: Test cloud backup and data synchronization
Export options showing CSV, PDF, and social sharing capabilities
🏆 Competition & Social Features
Test the competition and social features:
- Join Competitions: Participate in fishing competitions
- Leaderboards: View competition rankings and standings
- Competition Rules: Review and understand competition rules
- Prize Tracking: Track prizes and achievements
- Community Features: Interact with other anglers
Competition system showing active competitions, leaderboards, and rules
✅ Comprehensive Testing Checklist
- Core Functionality: Test all major features and workflows
- Device Compatibility: Test on different screen sizes and orientations
- Network Conditions: Test with poor internet connection and offline mode
- Data Persistence: Verify data persistence after app restart
- Photo Quality: Test photo capture, editing, and storage
- GPS Accuracy: Check location accuracy in different environments
- Performance: Test app performance with large amounts of data
- User Experience: Evaluate ease of use and navigation
- Error Handling: Test app behavior with invalid inputs
- Accessibility: Test accessibility features and usability
⚠️ Testing Environment Considerations
- Real-World Testing: Test the app in actual fishing conditions when possible
- Different Weather: Test in various weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, rainy)
- Time of Day: Test during different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening)
- Location Variety: Test at different types of venues (lakes, rivers, ponds)
- Data Volume: Test with both small and large amounts of existing data
🐛 How to Report Bugs & Feedback
📝 What to Include in Bug Reports
- Device Information: iPhone/Android model, OS version
- App Version: Current version of Catch Vault
- Steps to Reproduce: Detailed steps that led to the issue
- Expected Behavior: What should have happened
- Actual Behavior: What actually happened
- Screenshots/Videos: Visual evidence of the issue
📧 How to Report Issues
Go to Settings → Contact Developer in the Catch Vault app to send feedback directly.
Send detailed bug reports to our support email with all the information listed above.
Use the built-in feedback systems in TestFlight (iOS) or Google Play Console (Android) for quick reports.
⚠️ Before Reporting
- Try restarting the app
- Check if you have the latest version
- Test on different devices if possible
- Check your internet connection
- Clear app cache if issues persist
📸 Screenshot Requirements
To help us improve Catch Vault and create better documentation, we need specific screenshots from your testing experience. Here's what we need and how to capture them.
📱 iOS Screenshots Needed
Capture these screenshots during TestFlight setup:
- TestFlight Invitation Email: Screenshot of the invitation email you received
- TestFlight App Installation: Screenshot of TestFlight app being installed
- Catch Vault in TestFlight: Screenshot of Catch Vault listed in your TestFlight apps
- Installation Progress: Screenshot of Catch Vault being installed via TestFlight
Email invitation showing TestFlight setup instructions
Capture these screenshots during first app launch:
- Welcome Screen: First screen when opening Catch Vault
- Permission Requests: Camera, Location, Notifications permission dialogs
- Onboarding Flow: Any tutorial or setup screens
- Main Dashboard: Main app interface after setup
First app launch showing welcome screen and permission dialogs
🤖 Android Screenshots Needed
Capture these screenshots during Google Play setup:
- Internal Testing Invitation: Screenshot of the invitation email or link
- Google Play Store: Screenshot of Catch Vault in the Play Store
- Installation Process: Screenshot of the installation progress
- App Permissions: Screenshot of permission requests during installation
Google Play Store showing Catch Vault installation process
Capture these screenshots while testing app features:
- Main Navigation: Screenshot of the main app navigation
- Catch Logging: Screenshot of the catch logging form
- Photo Capture: Screenshot of the camera interface
- Venue Management: Screenshot of venue creation/editing
- Settings Menu: Screenshot of app settings and options
Various app screens showing key features and functionality
📸 Screenshot Guidelines
Follow these guidelines for high-quality screenshots:
- Device Orientation: Use portrait mode for most screenshots
- Screen Cleanliness: Ensure screen is clean and free of personal information
- Full Screen: Capture the entire screen, not just portions
- Good Lighting: Ensure good lighting when taking photos of the screen
- Stable Hands: Keep device steady to avoid blurry images
Example of good vs. bad screenshot quality
Organize your screenshots for easy submission:
- File Naming: Use descriptive names (e.g., "testflight-invitation.jpg")
- Folder Structure: Create folders for iOS and Android screenshots
- Chronological Order: Number screenshots in the order they were taken
- Size Optimization: Compress large images for easier sharing
Folder structure showing organized screenshot files
📤 How to Submit Screenshots
Submit your screenshots through these methods:
- Email: Send screenshots to feedback@catchvault.app
- TestFlight: Include screenshots in TestFlight feedback
- Google Play: Attach screenshots to Google Play feedback
- Cloud Storage: Share via Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar
Email or feedback form showing screenshot attachment options
✅ Screenshot Checklist
- ✅ TestFlight/Google Play setup screenshots
- ✅ App launch and permission screenshots
- ✅ Main app interface screenshots
- ✅ Key feature testing screenshots
- ✅ Bug report screenshots (if applicable)
- ✅ Screenshots properly organized and named
- ✅ Screenshots submitted via preferred method
⚠️ Privacy Considerations
- Personal Information: Avoid capturing personal information in screenshots
- Location Data: Be careful not to capture sensitive location information
- Account Details: Don't include account numbers or sensitive data
- Other Apps: Ensure no other app data is visible in screenshots
📞 Contact & Support
Need Help?
If you encounter any issues or have questions about testing Catch Vault, we're here to help!
Email: support@catchvault.app
Response Time: We typically respond within 24 hours
Testing Updates: We'll keep you informed of new testing versions and features