Get Apple TestFlight: Download the official, free TestFlight app from the App Store on your iPhone. TestFlight is Apple's official platform for distributing pre-release software securely. Make sure your device is updated to modern system software (iOS 27+, iPadOS 27+, macOS 27+, watchOS 27+, or visionOS 27+).
Tap "Join Beta" on CodeWing: Return to this page and tap the Join Beta button above. Safari will trigger the official TestFlight invitation link. If prompted with "Open in TestFlight?", tap Open.
Accept Developer Invitation: TestFlight will launch and display the latest build notes and tester information for Birding Local. Tap Accept to register your Apple Account into the beta testing group.
Install & Start Testing: Tap Install (or Update) to download the build directly to your device. You'll receive instant notifications inside TestFlight whenever Cornell University pushes new builds, bug fixes, or feature updates.
Essential Beta Testing Tips:
Apple 10,000 Tester Cap: Apple limits public TestFlight groups to 10,000 active users. If slots are currently full, tap Get Slot Alerts above to be notified the second a slot opens.
100% Free Sandbox Purchases: In-app purchases, subscriptions, and pro features in TestFlight are simulated in Apple's sandbox environment at $0.00 — your Apple Account is never billed.
90-Day Build Lifespan: Each build expires after 90 days. Developers periodically push updates that reset the countdown, and your personal app data is preserved.
Revert to App Store Anytime: You can switch back to the public release at any time by redownloading Birding Local directly from the regular App Store.
About Birding Local
eBird Mobile makes it easy to record the birds you see in the field, and seamlessly link these observations with eBird--a global online database of bird records used by hundreds of thousands of birders around the world. This free resource makes it easy to keep track of what you see, while making your data openly available for scientific research, education, and conservation. eBird Mobile is the only app that passes information directly from the iOS device to your eBird account on the web.
Features
Enter bird observations from any location around the world.
Full global taxonomy based on The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World.
Common names available in local languages (e.g., Portuguese names in Brazil or in Portugal).
Checklists customized for your location and time of year, showing most likely species based on eBird data.
Rare species flagged during data entry and on the checklist.
"Record as you go" functionality for incremental list keeping and counting while birding.
GPS enabled location plotting to ensure accuracy.
Map tools that enable selecting from hundreds of thousands of eBird "Hotspots."
Full offline functionality, enabling use in places with limited or no Internet connection.
Trip and Day list functionality that makes it easy to keep track of your species list on a particular outing.
Support for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
Entire app translated to German, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Turkish, and Dutch.
How do I join the Birding Local TestFlight beta on iOS?
First, download Apple's official TestFlight app from the App Store on your iPhone. Then return to this page and tap the "Join Beta" button above. Your device will automatically open TestFlight and prompt you to accept the developer's beta invitation. Tap "Accept" and then "Install" to start testing Birding Local. If it says "This beta is full", tap "Get Slot Alerts" to be notified instantly when a slot opens.
Is testing Birding Local on TestFlight safe and free?
Yes, testing Birding Local is 100% safe and free. Every public TestFlight build must strictly follow Apple's App Review Guidelines and passes Apple's automated and manual security checks before public invitation links can be distributed. All betas operate within Apple's secure operating system sandbox and cannot access your device data without explicit permission. The beta is developed and maintained by Cornell University.
Do in-app purchases or subscriptions cost real money during TestFlight beta testing?
No. In TestFlight, Apple connects all transactions to its free Sandbox environment. Any in-app purchase, pro feature tier, or subscription inside Birding Local will display "[Environment: Sandbox]" and costs $0.00. Your Apple Account or credit card will never be billed for purchases made within a TestFlight beta build.
Does Birding Local work on iOS 27 and the latest iPhone models?
Yes, Birding Local is fully compatible with iOS 27 and iOS 26 across modern iPhones, including iPhone 18, 17, 16, 15, and 14 series. It supports modern iOS 27 capabilities including Siri AI, Dynamic Island, Lock Screen widgets, StandBy mode, and Apple Intelligence where applicable.
What should I do if the Birding Local TestFlight beta says "This beta is full"?
Apple enforces a strict cap of 10,000 public testers per TestFlight app. Popular betas fill up quickly, but spots reopen regularly because Apple automatically purges inactive testers, and Cornell University frequently clears inactive seats before dropping new beta builds. Tap the "Get Slot Alerts" button on this page to receive instant Email and Telegram alerts from CodeWing the moment an open slot is detected. You can also discover trending alternatives in the Reference category.
Will installing the beta replace my current App Store version of Birding Local, and will I lose my data?
Installing the TestFlight beta will replace the App Store version on your iPhone, but all your local app data, documents, logins, and configurations are safely preserved. If you ever want to switch back to the stable public release, you can simply redownload Birding Local directly from the App Store at any time without losing your data.
How long does a TestFlight beta build last before it expires?
Each TestFlight build has a maximum lifespan of 90 days from the day the developer uploaded it to Apple. You can see the countdown days directly beneath Birding Local's title in your TestFlight app. Developers regularly release new builds with improvements, which automatically resets the 90-day timer so your testing is uninterrupted.
How do I send feedback or report bugs for Birding Local?
You can send feedback directly to Cornell University by taking a screenshot while using Birding Local and tapping "Share Beta Feedback", or by opening TestFlight, tapping Birding Local, and selecting "Send Beta Feedback". You can include notes, screenshots, and system logs to help the developer fix issues before the official App Store launch.