Deploy AppSheet Application

[Shourya_Tomar]

Audience: Beginner

In the AppSheet ecosystem, it is critical to distinguish between sharing and deploying, as they serve fundamentally different operational purposes. Sharing is primarily a permissions-based action that grants specific users access to view or edit the application during the development phase. Conversely, deploying is a formal transition that moves the application from a “Prototype” (where features are limited and watermarked) to a “Deployed” state.

When Deployment is Required

You should move your app to a “Deployed” state when it is ready for broad distribution and professional use. Deployment is necessary for:

• Scaling Beyond 10 Users: Prototype apps are restricted to a maximum of 10 unique users (including the app creator). To share with a larger team or organization, deployment is required.

• Full Automation Functionality: In Prototype mode, automation emails and notifications are always sent only to the app owner for testing. To send alerts to actual users or external customers, the app must be deployed.

• Whitelabeling: If you intend to publish your app as a standalone brand on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, deployment is a prerequisite.

When Deployment is NOT Required

You do not need to deploy your application if you are still in the development or testing phase. You can effectively use Prototype mode for:

• Collaborative Building: You can add Co-authors to your app via the Share menu. This allows other developers to edit the app structure or view the logic without requiring a paid deployment plan.

• Prototype Testing: You can share the “Install Link”, “Browser Link” or “Edit App Link” with up to 9 other people (10 total) to test the app’s functionality on their own devices.

Here is the step-by-step guide to deploy your application:

1. Run a Deployment Check

Before deploying, AppSheet runs an automated audit to ensure your app is functional and secure.

• In the App Editor, go to Manage > Deploy.

• Click on Deployment Check.

• Click Run deployment check.

• Review the report: AppSheet will flag errors (which must be fixed) or warnings (which are suggestions). Common issues include missing app descriptions or security concerns.

2. Move to Deployed State

Once the check is clean or you are satisfied with the warnings:

• In the same Deployment Check panel, click the button: Move app to deployed state.

• Your app is now officially live. This removes the “Prototype” watermark and enables features like automated emails or scheduled reports.

3. Branded Apps (White-Labeling)

For a professional experience, you can “White-Label” your app to remove all AppSheet branding and distribute it as a standalone file.

• Android: Generate an .apk or .aab file to upload to the Google Play Store.

• iOS: Generate an .ipa file for the Apple App Store.

• How: Go to Manage > Deploy > Branded Apps. Note that this requires an AppSheet Core or Enterprise plan and individual developer accounts with Google/Apple.

4. Share with Users

After deploying, you need to grant access to your users:

1. Click the Share icon (person with a plus sign) in the top right of the editor.

2. Enter the email addresses of your users.

3. Choose their role.

4. Toggle Notify users so they receive the installation link automatically.

For more information, visit the Deploy: The Essentials.

[Steve]

@Shourya_Tomar

watermarked

How so?

[Steve]

@Jose_Arteaga, why is your coworker unresponsive? And why is their profile private?

[Jose_Arteaga]

Hello @Steve,

I understand @Shourya_Tomar was doing some research before replying.

Thanks for bringing the profile issue to our attention, we’ll get that resolved.

[Steve]

Any update?

[Shourya_Tomar]

Hello @Steve, thank you for your inquiry. To clarify, the watermark mentioned in the post refers to the system indicators visible within the application during the prototype phase or when a deployed app has not yet been branded.

When you build your app with AppSheet, there are a few different places where the AppSheet brand is normally visible to the users of the app. Many of these are suppressed in a branded app, but for technical reasons, some are not:

1. In the menu of the app, there are options to Go to the App Gallery or to Create a New App. These do not appear in a branded app.

2. The splash screen shown when the app is launched features the AppSheet logo. This does not appear in a branded app when distributed as a standalone native app. For iOS deployment you can provide your own icon instead, however the phrase “Powered by AppSheet” does still appear in small print at the bottom of the screen.

3. In email sent from the Share dialog or automations there is a “Sent from AppSheet” email suffix. This does not appear in a branded app.

For more information, please refer to the support article.

Thank you so much for your support!