Bield's iOS beta runs through TestFlight, Apple's official pre-release platform. It's free, takes about two minutes to install, and you can leave at any time. Android is coming.
You'll need iOS 16.4 or later and the TestFlight app from the App Store.
Open in TestFlight →Android beta coming soon. If you're on Android, join the cohort and we'll email you the moment the Google Play closed beta opens (target Q3 2026).
The first time you install a beta via TestFlight there are a few taps. After this the app updates automatically.
A beta is a build that's been internally tested but not battle-tested by hundreds of users in the wild. Specifically, the Bield beta:
Two ways. Either works, both are reversible:
If you also want your Bield account deleted, go to Settings → Account → Close account inside the app, or email privacy@bield.run.
The Bield beta requires iOS 16.4 or later. iPhone 8 and earlier can't run iOS 16, so the beta won't install. We support back to iPhone XR / SE 2nd-gen and newer.
If you're on a supported phone but iOS is out of date, go to Settings → General → Software Update.
Open TestFlight → Bield → "Stop Testing" at the bottom. That removes the app. Your account stays — close it from inside the app or email privacy@bield.run if you want the account deleted too.
Two reasons. First, TestFlight is the only way to ship in-progress features to a controlled group on iOS — the App Store is for public, finished builds, and the review process is geared around that. Second, TestFlight makes it cheap for us to ship fast: we can push a new build every few days, fix bugs found by real users, and only graduate to the App Store when the experience is ready for everyone.
We'll launch on the App Store in autumn 2026.
No. The whole beta is free for everyone — runners, pacers, crewers, organisers. When we hit public release, runners on long stuff will be invited to upgrade to Premium at £4.99/mo (or £49.99/yr). Founding-cohort members get 12 months of Premium on the house.
Android beta opens via Google Play closed beta, target Q3 2026. Join the founders cohort and we'll email you the invite the day it opens.
Yes. Email press@bield.run and we'll put you on the press review-build track, which gets slightly earlier access plus a one-page changelog with each build.
Open TestFlight → Bield → Send Feedback → Crash Report. That ships us a sysdiag log we can debug from. In the meantime, try: (1) close TestFlight and the app entirely (swipe up to dismiss from app switcher), (2) reopen, (3) if still crashing, uninstall and reinstall via TestFlight. If it's still bad, email beta@bield.run with your iPhone model + iOS version.
Mostly yes. We'll keep your account, profile, verification status, and race history. We may reset features that are still actively being designed (the share-pack staircase will be the last to stabilise) and we'll tell you in advance if so.
The list below is current as of the most recent TestFlight push. Inside the app, the same list lives under Settings → About Bield → Known issues.
The fastest way: inside the app, tap any screen with three fingers and the feedback sheet opens with a screenshot pre-attached. Or use TestFlight's built-in "Send Beta Feedback" from the app's TestFlight page. Or email beta@bield.run — we read every one personally during the beta.
Thanks for being one of the first 500. Run together, run smarter.