Updating Iris

During the alpha we release new builds often, sometimes more than once a day. Each one fixes bugs that testers found. Please stay on the newest version, and always test on it before you report a bug.

Mac: it updates itself #

You do not need to do anything.

  1. A little after Iris starts, and every 6 hours while she runs, she checks for a new version.

  2. If there is one, she downloads it in the background. She never stops you in the middle of talking to her.

  3. When it is ready, a box says Iris (version) is ready. Click Restart now to use it straight away, or Later. If you choose Later, the update is applied the next time you quit Iris.

    Screenshot: the "Iris is ready" update boxScreenshot coming soon

To check yourself: open the Control Panel (menu bar icon > Control Panel..., or press Command + Shift + P), find Updates, and click Check.

iPhone and iPad: through TestFlight #

  1. When a new build is out, TestFlight shows an update for Iris, and may send you a notification.
  2. Open TestFlight and tap Update next to Iris.
  3. To get updates without thinking about it: open TestFlight, tap Iris, and switch on Automatic Updates.

Each TestFlight build stops working after 90 days. That is Apple's rule. You will have a newer build long before then.

Android: download the new build #

Android does not update Iris by itself.

  1. When we email you about a new build, or Iris tells you a new version is out, open the download link in that email or on the Install on Android page.
  2. Download the new Iris.apk and open it.
  3. If Android blocks it, allow your browser to install unknown apps for a moment, the same way as in Install on Android.
  4. Tap Update (or Install). Your sign-in and your chats stay.
  5. Switch "Allow from this source" back off afterwards.

If Android says App not installed or that the package conflicts with an existing one, you have an older Iris from before the alpha. Uninstall it (Settings > Apps > Iris > Uninstall), then install the new one and sign in again. Your chats and memories are kept on our server.

Windows: download the new build #

  1. When Iris tells you a new version is out, open the Windows download link from your welcome email again.
  2. Download the new Iris-Setup.exe and run it. You may see the SmartScreen box again: click More info, then Run anyway.
  3. It installs over the old version.

Why old versions are switched off #

Sometimes we switch an old version off. When that happens, Iris tells you to update before she works again. We do this because:

  • An old build may still have a bug that we have already fixed, and we do not want you to lose time on it.
  • An old build may not work properly with our servers any more.
  • Bug reports from old builds are hard to act on. Points are for bugs in the version people are actually using.

So if Iris asks you to update, please do it first, then carry on testing.

Which version do I have? #

  • Mac: open the Control Panel (Command + Shift + P). The version is at the top.
  • Windows: open the Control Panel (Ctrl + Shift + P). The version is at the top.
  • iPhone and iPad: tap Iris at the top of the chat to open your profile. The version is at the bottom.
  • Android: open Settings > Apps > Iris. The version is shown there.

Put the version in every bug report.

If an update fails #

Report it. A failed update is a real bug. On a Mac, you can also download Iris again from your welcome email and drag it into Applications, choosing Replace. Or write to support@irisforu.com.