Security News > 2023 > August > FBI warns about scams that lure you in as a mobile beta-tester
The Feds didn't go as far as naming any specific vendors or services here, but one of the main reasons that crooks go down the "Beta-testing" route is to lure users of Apple iPhones into installing software that didn't come from the App Store.
In contrast, even iPhone apps that are 100% free must be submitted by the vendor to the App Store to become available for download, and downloaded by the user from the App Store for installation.
One is to use Apple's Mobile Device Management system, which is officially intended for companies that want to deploy proprietary, non-public, corporate apps onto company-supplied or company-managed devices.
Beta-level software exposes you to greater risk, not only because it's expected still to contain plenty of bugs, but also because beta software is generally expected to collect much more information than a finished app, as part of tracking down any faulty behaviour.
You need to trust the developers of a TestFlight app even more than vendors of regular apps, because you're letting them run experimental code on your device.
Criminals who use dating apps and friendships as a lure think nothing of deliberately setting you against your family as part of their scams.