Essential Guide to iOS Bug Tracking

In the Royal Rumble iOS app market, putting out high-quality apps is only one part, keeping the app up and running smoothly is non-negotiable.

Users demand it.

You may have done rigorous testing but even the best apps encounter bugs post-launch.

This is where bug-tracking systems and community feedback tools become critical.

Together, they help you identify issues quickly, prioritize fixes, and align updates with user expectations. This ensures continuous improvement and user retention.

What is an iOS Bug Tracker?

Bug tracking systems are platforms that log, monitor, and resolve software issues throughout the development lifecycle. For iOS apps, they serve three core purposes:

1. Capture detailed reports of crashes, glitches, and performance bottlenecks.
2. Streamline communication between developers, QA teams, and stakeholders.
3. Identify recurring problems to improve long-term app stability.

For iOS developers, these systems are indispensable for monitoring problems that arise during development and after release.

And as a product manager you have to know which tools are best for your product because when you don't have effective bug tracking:

• Development cycles stretch longer, delaying updates and new features.
• Bugs are left unchecked leading to frustrations, turning users away from your app.
• Fixing overlooked bugs will be costly in terms of resources and time.

Top iOS Bug Tracking Tools

Apple's Feedback Assistant

Apple's Feedback Assistant is a tool provided by Apple to help developers report issues and request enhancements related to APIs, tools, and services.

Accessible on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web, it streamlines the process of communicating with Apple's development teams.

Developers can use Feedback Assistant to submit detailed reports about bugs or suggest improvements.

The tool allows for the attachment of logs, screenshots, and other pertinent information, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the issue by Apple's engineers.

Instabug

Instabug is a tool for in-app bug reporting and performance monitoring for iOS applications

Its "Shake to Send" feature enables users to report bugs effortlessly, capturing screenshots and detailed logs for developers. ​

Pro tip: You can use Instabug to capture user-reported bugs with contextual data for faster debugging.

Imagine linking this data to a community feedback board like FeedBear to prioritize fixes users truly want.

Bugsee

Bugsee provides real-time bug and crash reporting by capturing video of user interactions leading up to an issue.

This visual context aids developers in reproducing and resolving problems more efficiently.​

As it records network traffic, console logs, and user actions, Bugsee offers a clear view of the app's state during a crash, simplifying the debugging process.

It is best for tracking complex, intermittent crashes.

TestFlight

TestFlight, an Apple service, enables developers to distribute beta versions of their apps to testers. This controlled environment allows for the identification and resolution of issues before public release.​

TestFlight facilitates feedback collection from external testers, providing valuable insights into app performance and usability.

You can use it to validate new features and catch bugs before public release.

Identifying Worthwhile iOS Bug Reports

Not all bug reports are worth your team's time and resources.

A good bug report speeds up the troubleshooting process and helps developers fix issues efficiently.

It is clear, detailed, and reproducible. This means providing all the necessary information for developers to understand and replicate the problem.

Elements of a good bug report:

• Specifies the device model and iOS version. Different devices might handle things differently.
• Mentions the app version. Bugs may exist only in certain versions.
• Includes any error messages or logs. These provide direct insights into what went wrong.
• Screenshots or screen recordings that offer visual evidence to illustrate the problem clearly.

The Role of Community Feedback Boards

While bug tracking tools focus on technical issues, community feedback boards capture broader user insights:

• Feature Requests: Identify missing functionality (e.g., dark mode requests).
• UX Improvements: Surface pain points in navigation or design.
• Sentiment Analysis: Gauge user satisfaction post-update.

This holistic view ensures that development efforts align with user expectations, enhancing overall satisfaction.

You even improve your overall bug-tracking process, ultimately leading to a better app experience.

Managing iOS Bug Reports Efficiently

Now that you know how to identify a good bug report, let's talk about how to handle it smoothly.

Start by assessing the bug's impact on user experience and system functionality.

Bugs that affect core features or cause crashes should be at the top of your list.

Handling duplicates is another important aspect.

Duplicate reports clutter your workflow and waste time. Use tools like FeedBear to suggest similar ideas and merge them seamlessly. This keeps your backlog organized and focused.

Transparency matters.

Keeping users informed about bug status builds trust. Update them when a bug is acknowledged, being worked on, or resolved.

Automated progress notifications in FeedBear streamlines this process, keeping communication clear without extra effort.

Engage users.

Encourage users to vote and comment, highlighting the most critical issues.

Examples of approaches to prioritize bugs include categorizing them by severity—critical, major, minor—or by user impact, such as affecting a large group versus isolated cases.

Companies like Markup Hero have leveraged FeedBear to prioritize features based on user votes, ensuring that development efforts focus on what matters most to their community.

For more insights on how bugs differ from intentional features, take a look at our detailed breakdown of bugs versus features. This can help developers allocate resources efficiently and tackle the most pressing issues first.

Combining Bug Tracking and User Feedback

Establish Clear Channels for Bug Reports and Feature Requests

Provide users with accessible avenues to report bugs and submit ideas, ensuring that all feedback is captured systematically.​

For example, use Instabug for in-app bug reports and embed FeedBear’s feedback board for feature requests.

Prioritizing Issues Based on User Impact and Feedback

Evaluate the severity of bugs and the popularity of feature requests to allocate development resources effectively.​

Use RICE scoring (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) to rank issues. Merge duplicate reports from TestFlight and Feedback Assistant.

Communicating Updates and Resolutions to the User Community

Regularly update users on the status of their feedback, demonstrating that their input is valued and acted upon.

For example, update FeedBear’s roadmap post-fix: “Issue #45 (Crash on iOS 17) resolved in v2.1!”

Thank users whose feedback led to changes.

Remember...

High-quality iOS apps require more than just code—they demand a feedback-driven culture.

If you integrae bug tracking tools like Instabug and a community feedback platform like FeedBear, your teams will:

• Resolve issues faster.
• Build features users truly want.
• Foster trust through transparency

Ready to enhance your app’s quality?

Try FeedBear Free – Prioritize feedback, share roadmaps, and turn user insights into action..

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