Skip to content
Get packs

Guide · Open source

How to use fastlane: install, run and automate iOS and Android releases

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

fastlane is an open-source tool that helps iOS and Android developers automate repetitive work such as generating screenshots, managing provisioning profiles and releasing apps. This guide explains what it is, how to get the source, what you need before starting and where to look when something goes wrong. After reading it you will know whether fastlane fits your workflow and how to take your first steps with it.

fastlanefastlane/fastlane · ★ 42.3k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm your prerequisites. Check that Ruby is installed and that Xcode is available if you are building for iOS.
  2. 2Get the source. Clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/fastlane/fastlane.
  3. 3Install fastlane. Follow the package-manager installation steps at docs.fastlane.tools, since the excerpt does not list the exact command.
  4. 4Pick a task to automate. Start with one repetitive job, such as screenshot generation or provisioning profile management.
  5. 5Check your setup. Run fastlane env to see the details of your environment.
  6. 6Consult the docs when stuck. Look up your problem at docs.fastlane.tools before opening a GitHub issue.

What fastlane does and who it is for

fastlane is a tool for iOS and Android developers to automate tedious tasks like generating screenshots, dealing with provisioning profiles and releasing your application. It is written in Ruby and is licensed under MIT.

It suits iOS developers who repeat the same build and release steps by hand, Android developers who want scripted release workflows, and teams that want screenshot generation automated across app versions. It is driven from the command line, so it suits developers comfortable with command-line tools and Ruby-based config files.

  • Good fit: repeated iOS build and release steps, scripted Android releases, automated screenshots across versions.
  • Poor fit: a single one-time app publish done through a graphical tool, non-developers, or projects that cannot run Ruby tooling on their build machines.

Check the prerequisites before you install

The README excerpt does not specify a required Ruby version, so check the official documentation at docs.fastlane.tools for that. For iOS work you will need Xcode; this is inferred from the iOS focus and is not stated explicitly in the README excerpt.

fastlane runs on your own computer or server, so your credentials stay on that machine. You are responsible for how you use it.

  • Ruby (version not stated in the README excerpt)
  • Xcode for iOS work (inferred, not stated in the excerpt)
  • A machine you control where Ruby tooling can run

Get fastlane and set it up

The README provided here shows how to clone the repository. Clone it with the command below. Installation through a package manager is the install method listed for this project, but the excerpt does not give the exact package-manager command, so follow the instructions at docs.fastlane.tools.

After installing, the README points to the fastlane env command as the way to gather setup details when asking for help.

git clone https://github.com/fastlane/fastlane

Automate common iOS and Android tasks

fastlane targets repetitive jobs in the release process. The README names three areas: generating screenshots, managing provisioning profiles and releasing apps. Each is handled by fastlane's tooling rather than by hand in the App Store or Play Console workflow.

Because the work is scripted, the same steps can be rerun for each new app version, which is the main benefit for teams that release often.

  • Generate screenshots for app listings
  • Manage provisioning profiles
  • Release your application

Get help when something goes wrong

Before opening a new GitHub issue, check the documentation at docs.fastlane.tools and search existing issues. If that does not solve the problem, submit an issue on GitHub and include the output of the fastlane env command, which describes your setup.

  • Read docs.fastlane.tools
  • Search existing GitHub issues
  • Submit an issue with the output of fastlane env
fastlane env

What people use it for

  • Generating screenshots for an iOS app listing and regenerating them across app versions
  • Managing provisioning profiles without repeating the steps by hand
  • Scripting an Android release workflow from the command line
  • Releasing an application from a build machine you control

Frequently asked questions

Is fastlane free?

fastlane is licensed under the MIT license, which the README describes as open source with full access to the source code. You can modify it to fit your own needs. The README does not mention prices for any hosted service.

Is fastlane affiliated with Apple?

No. The project states that fastlane and all its tools are in no way affiliated with Apple Inc.

What do I need to install fastlane?

fastlane is written in Ruby, so you need Ruby installed. The README excerpt does not give a Ruby version, and Xcode is needed for iOS work, which is inferred from the iOS focus rather than stated in the excerpt.

Does fastlane send my credentials to a server?

According to the README, fastlane runs on your own computer or server, and your credentials or other sensitive information never leave that machine. Your credentials stay local.

What should I do if fastlane is not working?

Check docs.fastlane.tools and search existing GitHub issues first. If you still need help, submit an issue on GitHub and include the output of the fastlane env command.

Is there an alternative to fastlane?

The source does not name any comparable projects, so this guide cannot compare fastlane with specific alternatives. If you need a graphical tool for a one-time publish, fastlane is probably not the right fit, since it is driven from the command line.

New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week

The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.

Our verdict

fastlane suits iOS and Android developers who repeat build and release steps and are comfortable with the command line and Ruby config files. If you only need to publish one app once, or you prefer a graphical tool or cannot run Ruby on your build machines, pick a different approach.

Install options & downloads