Can CI promote a build?

Yes. The CLI, GitHub Action and Fastlane plugin can upload into a channel. See the CI guide.

Does the link expire?

Channel links stay live while your Pro or Team plan is active.

One link that always installs the newest build

Pro and Team

Every upload has its own link, which is right for a single build and wrong for a QR code printed on a card or pinned in a chat. A channel link never changes: it opens whatever build is in the channel now.

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Example

Shop app channels

Beta2.5 (121), iOS and Android
Live2.4 (118), iOS and Android
Linkappforshare.io/c/...

An iPhone gets the iOS build, an Android phone the Android build, a computer sees both.

Made for

Teams that pin a "latest beta" link in Slack or a client chat
Apps tested at events or in shops with a printed QR code
Projects with both an iOS and an Android build

What it ends

Sending a new link to every tester after every build
Testers installing an old build from a link in last month's chat
Two QR codes, one for iPhone and one for Android

How it works

Step 1
Create channels
For example Beta and Live, per project. Each gets a link and QR code that stays the same.
Step 2
Promote builds
Put a build into a channel from the build page, or from the CLI, GitHub Action or Fastlane plugin in CI.
Step 3
Roll the link back
Put an older build back into the channel when a release goes wrong. The link opens it at once.

iPhone and Android behind one link

iOS and Android builds are separate projects that share channels when they are paired. Pairing is automatic when the bundle ID and package name match, or you pair them by hand on the Testing page.

Good to know

Putting an older build back changes where the link points. Apps already installed on phones are not changed.

Questions

Can CI promote a build?: Yes. The CLI, GitHub Action and Fastlane plugin can upload into a channel. See the CI guide.
Does the link expire?: Channel links stay live while your Pro or Team plan is active.