Build and Test

This document outlines the basic development and testing process for newly created Facebook apps. It also describes tools and settings available in the App Dashboard that may help you during development.

General Process

The development process will vary depending on your app's needs, but the basic flow begins with reading the documentation for each of the products, SDKs, and APIs that your app will rely on. All of our products are showcased on developers.facebook.com/products, and all of our documentation can be found at developers.facebook.com/docs.

Once you have identified and read any relevant doc sets, the next step is to make changes to your app's codebase and configure any App Dashboard settings that may be required by the products, SDKs, and API calls that you are implementing. If other people will be helping you develop and test your app, you can assign them app roles so they can configure app settings and help test Graph API permissions and features.

Finally, to verify that you have implemented everything correctly, you can test your app using your own Facebook developer account or with test users that simulate real Facebook users.

As a starting point, most Facebook apps use the Graph API to get data in and out of Facebook. Graph API endpoints require permissions, which apps can request from app users by implementing Facebook Login. Since getting data in and out of the Graph API is a common action, we have a set of SDKs to make calling Graph API endpoints easier. So, many developers start with those four doc sets.

App Types

App types determine the products that can be added to an app in the App Dashboard and which permissions and features can be requested for approval through the App Review process.

Learn more about app types.

App Modes

App modes apply to non-business apps and determine which permissions and features your app can use, and who can use your app.

Apps in Development mode can be granted any permission, but only from app users who have a role on the app itself. In addition, all features are active, but only for app users who have a role on the app.

Apps in Live Mode can be granted permissions by anyone, but only permissions that have been approved through the App Review process. Similarly, features are active for all app users, but only features approved through App Review.

All newly created non-business apps start out in Development mode and you should avoid changing it until you have completed all development and testing.

Note that app types also affect which permissions are available to an app. For example, user-related permissions are not available to Business apps, and business-related permissions are not available to Consumer apps. Apps that have chosen the Business app type do not have app modes at all and instead rely on access levels, which behave similarly.

Learn more about app modes.

App Roles

Apps in Development mode can only be used by people who have been granted a specific role on the app itself. If you are working with a team of developers and testers you can assign roles to each person so they can aid with the development and testing process.

Learn more about app roles.

Test Users

Test Users are test accounts that you can sign into in order to simulate real Facebook users when testing your app. Test users cannot interact with real Facebook users and any content or interactions generated by test users are only visible to other test users and anyone who has a role on your app.

Learn more about test users.

Test Pages

Test pages are pages created by test users that you can use to simulate real Facebook Pages when testing your app. Test pages are not discoverable by real Facebook users and can only be interacted with by other test users, or by people who have a role on your app.

Learn more about Test Pages.

Data Deletion Callback

If you have implemented Facebook Login, or if your app is typed as either a Consumer or Instant Game app, you must implement a Data Deletion Callback before it can be switched to Live mode. We will call your app's data deletion callback URL anytime one of your app users requests that you delete their data.

Learn more about the Data Deletion Callback.

Next Steps

Once you have completed app development and are ready to switch your app to Live mode, you can begin any processes that may be required to successfully release your app.