Skip to main content

Testing Updates

Before you ship an OTA update to production, test it end-to-end in a development environment. This guide walks you through the process.

Step 1: Enable Debug Mode​

Turn on verbose logging so you can see exactly what the SDK is doing:

export default withSwiftPatch(App, {
  debug: true,
});

Step 2: Build a Release Version​

You need a release build -- debug builds use Metro bundler and skip SwiftPatch entirely.

# iOS
npx react-native run-ios --mode Release

# Android
npx react-native run-android --mode release

Step 3: Deploy a Test Update​

swiftpatch deploy -p ios --hermes -n "Test update"

Step 4: Verify​

  • Open the app
  • The SDK detects and downloads the update
  • Restart to apply
  • Confirm your changes are visible
tip

Watch the console logs for [SwiftPatch] entries to follow the update lifecycle in real time.

Testing Scenarios​

Rollback​

Step 1: Deploy an update that crashes on launch.

Step 2: Open the app -- it crashes.

Step 3: Open again -- the SDK rolls back automatically.

Step 4: Verify the app runs on the previous version.

Step 5: Check the dashboard for a ROLLBACK_PROD event.

Mandatory Updates​

Step 1: Deploy with --mandatory:

swiftpatch deploy -p ios --hermes --mandatory

Step 2: Verify availableUpdate.isMandatory is true.

Step 3: If using InstallMode.IMMEDIATE, the app restarts automatically.

Offline Behavior​

Step 1: Install the app with network connectivity.

Step 2: Disable network.

Step 3: Verify the app works with the current bundle.

Step 4: Re-enable network and verify update checking resumes.

Differential Patches​

Step 1: Deploy an initial update (the first one is always a full download).

Step 2: Make a small change and deploy again.

Step 3: Check availableUpdate.isPatch -- it should be true.

Step 4: Verify the download size is much smaller than the full bundle.

Debug Logging​

Check the native logs for detailed SDK output:

# iOS
xcrun simctl spawn booted log show --predicate 'subsystem == "com.swiftpatch"' --last 5m

# Android
adb logcat -s SwiftPatch

Expected log output:

[SwiftPatch] Checking for updates...
[SwiftPatch] Update available: v1.2.0
[SwiftPatch] Downloading patch: 204800 bytes
[SwiftPatch] Download complete
[SwiftPatch] Bundle hash verified
[SwiftPatch] Update installed, restart required