How to Update Earn Your Ears | Support

How to Update the Earn Your Ears App

Last updated: April 6, 2026 · Applies to: iPhone (iOS 16+) via TestFlight

Earn Your Ears uses two types of updates to keep your app current. Most of the time, updates happen automatically without you doing anything. Here's how it all works.

Two Types of Updates

Update Type	What It Does	Action Required
OTA (Over the Air)	Bug fixes, new features, content updates, UI changes	Close and reopen the app
TestFlight Build	Major updates that include new hardware features (audio, GPS, etc.)	Update through TestFlight app

Good news: Most updates are OTA and happen automatically. You'll only need to manually update through TestFlight a few times during the beta.

OTA Updates (Automatic)

OTA updates are pushed directly to your app without going through TestFlight. They include bug fixes, new training plans, UI improvements, and most new features. Here's how to make sure you have the latest:

1 Close the app completely

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or double-tap the Home button on older iPhones) to open the app switcher. Find Earn Your Ears and swipe it up to close it.

2 Reopen the app

Tap the Earn Your Ears icon on your home screen. The app will check for updates in the background and download any new version automatically. You'll see your normal home screen once it's ready.

3 Verify your build number

On the home screen, look for the small build number underneath "Ready to run some magic miles?" — it shows something like build 2026.04.06b. Compare this with the latest build number shared in our update emails or on Discord to confirm you're current.

Tip: OTA updates download on the first app open after they're published, then activate on the next app open. If you want to be sure you have the latest, close and reopen the app twice.

TestFlight Updates (Manual)

Occasionally, we'll push a major update that includes new native features — things like audio capabilities, GPS improvements, or splash screen changes. These require a TestFlight update.

You'll know a TestFlight update is available because:

You'll receive a notification from TestFlight
We'll mention it in our beta update emails
You'll see a badge on the TestFlight app icon

1 Open the TestFlight app

Find the TestFlight app on your home screen (blue propeller icon) and tap to open it.

[Screenshot: TestFlight app icon on home screen]

2 Find Earn Your Ears in your apps list

You'll see Earn Your Ears listed under your available beta apps. If an update is available, you'll see an "Update" button next to it.

[Screenshot: TestFlight app list showing Earn Your Ears with Update button]

3 Tap "Update"

Tap the Update button and wait for the download to complete. This usually takes less than a minute. Once it's done, open Earn Your Ears normally.

Note: After a TestFlight update, you may also want to close and reopen the app once more to pick up any OTA updates that were published since the build was created.

How to Check Your Current Version

There are two version numbers to be aware of:

Where	What It Shows	Example
Home screen (under greeting)	OTA build identifier — changes with every OTA update	build 2026.04.06b
TestFlight app	Native build version — changes with TestFlight updates	1.2.1 (22)

The build identifier on the home screen is the most useful one for day-to-day troubleshooting. When we send update emails, we'll include the current build number so you can verify you're on the latest version.

[Screenshot: Home screen with build number highlighted]

Troubleshooting

I closed and reopened the app but the build number didn't change

OTA updates download on the first open and activate on the second. Try closing and reopening the app one more time. If the build number still doesn't change, make sure you have an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular).

TestFlight says "No Updates Available" but I was told there's a new build

TestFlight builds go through a brief Apple review before they're available (usually 24-48 hours). If the build was just submitted, it may not be available to you yet. Check back in a few hours.

The app shows a splash screen for a long time when I open it

The splash screen holds while the app loads your profile data. On a slow connection, this can take a few seconds. If it lasts more than 5 seconds, the app will show automatically. If the splash screen seems permanently stuck, force-close the app (swipe close) and reopen it.

I'm not sure if I have the latest version

Check the build number on your home screen and compare it with the latest build number posted in our Discord or update emails. If they don't match:

Close and reopen the app twice (for OTA updates)
Check TestFlight for a native update
If still not matching, reach out to us at support@earnyourears.app

Can I turn off automatic updates?

OTA updates are automatic and can't be turned off — they ensure everyone is running the same version with the latest bug fixes. TestFlight updates can be set to update automatically in the TestFlight app settings, or you can update manually when you're ready.

Will updating the app lose my data?

No. Both OTA and TestFlight updates preserve all your data — your profile, training plans, run history, and settings are all stored securely and won't be affected by any update.

Need More Help?

If you're having trouble with updates or seeing unexpected behavior after an update, let us know:

Discord (fastest) — Join here
Email — support@earnyourears.app
Support ticket — support.earnyourears.app

When reporting an issue, please include your build number (from the home screen) — it helps us diagnose problems much faster.

How to Update the App