iOS integration testing for ad networks

For:
Ad networks
Last update:

At a glance: Test your AppsFlyer iOS integration using the AppsFlyer Partner Integrations app to trigger regular and Advanced Privacy postbacks.

iOS integration testing 

Testing consists of the following elements:

  • Use the iOS version of the AppsFlyer Partner Integrations app to generate test install and purchase in-app events. These tests, in turn, trigger postbacks sent to your endpoints. You also have the option to test login and registration in-app events. 
  • On receipt of the postbacks, verify that you are able to ingest them.

Testing scope

Advertisers control the data shared with ad networks via the Advanced Privacy setting. This setting, in conjunction with the app user ATT setting, impacts the postback type and the data shared with ad networks, as described in the Advanced Privacy postback guide. The following table lists test scenarios according to the setting combinations available.

For each scenario, you can test installs and in-app events. In regards to in-app events, you can use in-app event mapping to map advertiser events to your events.

Test scenario combinations

Scenario

 Advanced Privacy setting ATT setting in the app  Postback type sent
A Off Allow Regular
B On Ask app not to track Advanced Privacy

Testing

Complete the prerequisites and then perform the test procedures in the sections that follow. The test sections each contain a table you can use to record your test results.

Prerequisites

Complete the prerequisites before beginning to execute the test procedure.

Prerequisites
Complete standard integration with AppsFlyer. If necessary, contact AppsFlyer using the partner assistant widget.
Complete Advanced Privacy integration with AppsFlyer. If necessary, contact AppsFlyer using the partner assistant widget.
Integrate the iOS test app into your account.
Verify that the test app is integrated into your account
Map in-app events to your event names. Event names to be mapped: purchase, login, registration
Prepare attribution link
Test using a device running iOS 14.5+

Test—Advanced Privacy off

To trigger postbacks:

  1. On the AppsFlyer dashboard, set Enable Advanced Privacy to off.
  2. On the device:
    1. Verify that the test app is not installed. Delete it if necessary.
    2. In Privacy settings, verify that Allow Apps to Request to Track is on.

      PartnerIntegrationAllow.png

  3. Send the attribution link to the test device.
  4. Open the attribution link in the device browser.
    You are redirected to the App Store.
  5. Download and open the app.
    The ATT consent dialogue displays.

    AppDialogue_us-en.png

  6. Tap Allow.
    The Install Data page displays.

    PartnerIntegrationInstallData.png

  7. Tap ATT Status.
    The Authorized status displays.

  8. Validate the attribution using the following parameters. If the validation fails, see Troubleshooting.

    1. install_time: near the current time. Time is in UTC. 
    2. af_status: Non-organic If this is not the case, the install was not attributed. 
    3. media_source: your ad network 
  9. Tap In-App Event Tests.

    AppPurchase.png

  10. Tap Purchase Event.
    The Purchase Event confirmation displays. 
  11. Verify that:
    1. You received install and purchase postbacks.
    2. The event name is mapped correctly (if you mapped in-app events).
    3. You are able to ingest the postback.

Advanced Privacy off—Test results

Postback

Time you triggered the event 

 Expected postback type Actual postback received (pass/fail) Postback validation (pass/fail)
Install   Regular    
In-app event: Purchase   Regular    

Test—Advanced Privacy on

To trigger postbacks:

  1. On the AppsFlyer dashboard, set Enable Advanced Privacy to on.
  2. On the device:
    1. Verify that the test app is not installed. Delete it if necessary.
    2. In Privacy settings, verify that Allow Apps to Request to Track is on.

      PartnerIntegrationAllow.png

  3. Send the attribution link to the test device.
  4. Open the attribution link in the device browser.
    You are redirected to the App Store.
  5. Download and open the app.
    The ATT consent dialogue displays.

    AppDialogue_us-en.png

  6. Tap Ask App not to Track.
    The Install Data page displays.

    PartnerIntegrationInstallData.png

  7. Tap ATT Status.
    The Denied status displays.

  8. Validate the attribution using the parameters listed. If validation fails, see Troubleshooting. 

    1. install_time: near the current time. Time is in UTC. 
    2. af_status: Non-organic If this is not the case, the install was not attributed. 
    3. media_source: your ad network 
  9. Tap In-App Event Tests.

    AppPurchase.png

  10. Tap Purchase Event.
  11. Verify that:
    1. You received install and purchase postbacks.
    2. The event name is mapped correctly (if you mapped in-app events).
    3. You are able to ingest the postback.

Advanced Privacy on—Test results

Postback

Time you triggered the event 

 Expected postback type Actual postback received (pass/fail) Postback validation (pass/fail)
Install   Advanced Privacy    
In-app event: Purchase   Advanced Privacy    

Supplementary information and procedures

About the Partner Integrations test app

The Partner Integrations app is available in the App Store. The app sends install and in-app events to the AppsFlyer platform. 

When the app is opened for the first time, the iOS request to track dialogue displays, followed by the Install Data page displaying the conversion data recorded in the AppsFlyer platform. Test in-app events are triggered in the user interface.

PartnerIntegrationInstallData.png

The following functions are available:

  • In-App Event Tests
    Send purchase,login, and registration and in-app events. By mapping the app in-app event names to your event names, postbacks are populated using your event names.
  • ATT Status
    Returns the current ATT status reported by iOS as Authorized or Denied. The ATT status depends on user agreement to track in the ATT consent dialogue and the device Allow Apps to Request to Track setting. 

Attribution link

Prepare an attribution link in the AppsFlyer dashboard, using one of the following methods:

  • Generate the link in the AppsFlyer dashboard.
  • Edit the example link that follows.

To generate a link in the dashboard:

  1. In AppsFlyer, go to My Apps.
  2. Select id1543229303.
  3. From the side menu, select Collaborate > Active Integrations > select your ad network > Attribution link tab.
  4. In the Attribution link tab, set the parameters listed. You can add additional parameters if required.
    Parameter Example value Remark
    Campaign c-test-2020-12-20 Set a value that is identifiable in your postbacks
  5. Copy the resulting link for later use. 

Example attribution link:


https://app.appsflyer.com/id1543229303?pid=pitestap_int&c=c-test-2020-12-20

Set Advanced Privacy

AdvancedPrivacyOff.png

To change the Enable Advanced Privacy setting: 

  1. In AppsFlyer, go to My Apps.
  2. Select app id1543229303.
  3. From the side menu, select Collaborate > Active Integrations > select your ad network > Integration tab.
  4. Set Enable Advanced Privacy to the appropriate setting for each test scenario. 
  5. Click Save Integration.

Test app integrated in your account

To verify that the test app is available in your account: 

  1. In AppsFlyer, go to My Apps.
  2. Verify that the app Partner Integrations id1543229303 displays under Available Apps. If this is not the case, contact your Partner Development Manager. 

Troubleshooting

Symptom Cause/corrective action
The install time is not the current time

The app wasn't deleted before the install.

Delete the app and repeat the procedure. 
The media source is not your media source Verify that you have set the correct pid value on the attribution link. Verify that you are using the correct attribution link
af_status is Organic

Check that the device iOS version is in accordance with that stated in the prerequisites. 

Check the format of the attribution link, especially the value of pid.