Have you ever wished you could get a sneak peek at the next big Teamfight Tactics (TFT) set, test out new champions, and discover game-breaking synergies before they hit the live servers? Well, you're in luck! Playing TFT on the Public Beta Environment (PBE) on your iPad is not only possible but also an excellent way to stay ahead of the meta and provide valuable feedback to Riot Games. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to get you battling on the PBE with your iPad!
What is TFT PBE?
The Public Beta Environment (PBE) is a special server where Riot Games tests upcoming patches, new features, and content for League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics before they are officially released to the live servers. It's a testing ground where players can help identify bugs, provide feedback on balance changes, and get an early taste of what's to come. For TFT, this means you can play with new sets, traits, champions, and augments weeks before anyone else on the regular servers!
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Create a PBE Account
Before you can jump into the chaotic fun of the PBE, you need to ensure you meet the requirements and then create a special PBE account. This is crucial, as your regular Riot Games account won't work on the PBE.
Eligibility Check
Riot Games has a few requirements for PBE access, primarily to ensure testers are engaged and can provide meaningful feedback.
- Honor Level: You generally need to have an Honor Level 3 or higher on your main League of Legends or Teamfight Tactics account. This demonstrates you're a positive and contributing member of the community.
- No Recent Bans: Your account should not have any recent bans or chat restrictions.
- Good Standing: Overall, your account needs to be in good standing with Riot Games.
Creating Your PBE Account
If you meet the eligibility criteria, follow these steps to create your PBE account:
- Visit the Official PBE Signup Page: Open your web browser on your iPad (or any device) and navigate to the official Riot Games PBE signup page. You can usually find this by searching "Riot Games PBE signup" or visiting the League of Legends PBE info page.
- Login with Your Live Account: You'll be prompted to log in with your regular Riot Games account first. This is to verify your eligibility.
- Check Eligibility: After logging in, look for a button or prompt that says "Check my Eligibility" or similar. Click it. The page will refresh and tell you if you qualify for PBE access.
- Create Your PBE Account: If you're eligible, you'll then be guided through the process of creating your PBE account.
- You'll likely need to choose a unique PBE username and password.
- You might be asked to confirm your email address. Make sure to use an email you can easily access.
- Do NOT use your regular live server login credentials for your PBE account. While it might seem convenient, it's best to keep them separate to avoid confusion.
- Confirmation: Once successfully created, you should receive a confirmation that your PBE account has been made. Remember these PBE login details!
Step 2: Acquire the TestFlight App
Since the TFT PBE app for iOS is a beta version, it's distributed through Apple's official beta testing platform, TestFlight.
- Open the App Store: On your iPad, launch the App Store.
- Search for TestFlight: In the search bar at the bottom right, type "TestFlight" and hit search.
- Download TestFlight: You'll see the TestFlight app by Apple. Tap the "Get" button to download and install it. It's a free app.
- Install TestFlight: Once downloaded, it will automatically install.
Step 3: Join the TFT PBE Beta Program
This is often the trickiest part for iOS users, as Riot Games typically limits the number of PBE slots available for mobile. Availability can fluctuate, so speed and a bit of luck are often involved.
Obtaining the TestFlight Invitation Link
- Riot Games Announcements: The primary way to get the TestFlight invitation link is through official Riot Games announcements. Keep an eye on:
- The official Teamfight Tactics website (news section).
- Official TFT social media channels (Twitter/X, Facebook).
- The Teamfight Tactics Support page (specifically the TFTm PBE FAQ).
- Riot often releases a specific article or post when new PBE waves open for mobile.
- TFT PBE Discord/Reddit Communities: The dedicated TFT PBE community on platforms like Discord and Reddit (r/TeamfightTactics) are also excellent sources. Players often share the TestFlight link as soon as it becomes available.
- Click the Invitation Link: Once you find a valid TestFlight invitation link for TFT PBE, tap on it from your iPad. This link will typically look something like
testflight.apple.com/join/xxxxxxxxx
.
Accepting the Beta Invitation
- Open in TestFlight: Tapping the link will likely prompt you to "Open in TestFlight." Confirm this action.
- Accept the Invitation: Inside the TestFlight app, you'll see the Teamfight Tactics PBE app. You'll need to tap "Accept" to join the beta program.
- Install the PBE App: After accepting, tap the "Install" button to download and install the TFT PBE application onto your iPad.
- Important Note for iOS: If you see a message like "App Not Available" or "A testing version of this app hasn't been published yet or isn't available for this account," it means either the beta slots are full, or the email associated with your Apple ID on your iPad doesn't match the one you used for your PBE application (if that was a requirement for the specific beta wave). Riot does reset PBE participants at least once per set, so if you miss out, keep trying for future sets!
Step 4: Launch and Log In to TFT PBE
With the app installed, you're almost ready to dive in!
- Launch the TFT PBE App: Find the TFT PBE icon on your iPad's home screen and tap to open it. It will likely look similar to the regular TFT app but might have a distinct "PBE" label or a slightly different icon color.
- Login with Your PBE Account: When the app loads, you'll be prompted to log in. Crucially, use the PBE username and password you created in Step 1, not your regular live server account details.
- Region Mismatch Error: If you try to log in with your live account, you might get an error message like "There is a mismatch in regions between your account and the app you're using." This is a clear indicator you're using the wrong account.
- Initial Downloads/Updates: The PBE app might require additional downloads or updates upon its first launch. Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient storage space. PBE versions can sometimes be quite large.
Step 5: Explore and Provide Feedback
Congratulations! You're now in the TFT PBE on your iPad.
- Explore the New Content: Take your time to check out the new champions, traits, augments, and game mechanics introduced in the upcoming set. The PBE is designed for testing, so don't be afraid to experiment!
- Utilize PBE RP and Missions: Riot often provides PBE accounts with a generous amount of PBE RP (Riot Points) and a daily mission to earn more. Use this to buy anything you want from the PBE store – Little Legends, arenas, or even test out new champions and skins if they're available on the PBE. This RP is only for the PBE and does not transfer to your live account.
- Report Bugs: This is one of the most important aspects of being a PBE tester!
- If you encounter any glitches, crashes, visual errors, or unexpected behavior, make sure to report them.
- Riot usually provides a dedicated section on the official PBE forums or a specific bug reporting tool within the app or on their support site.
- When reporting, be as detailed as possible: what happened, what you were doing when it happened, and if you can consistently reproduce it. Screenshots or screen recordings are incredibly helpful.
- Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts on balance changes, champion designs, trait effectiveness, and overall gameplay experience. Your input helps shape the final version of the patch before it goes live.
- The official League of Legends PBE Subreddit (r/LeaguePBE or specific TFT PBE threads) and the community-run PBE Discord Server are excellent places to discuss and provide feedback. Rioters actively monitor these channels.
Important Considerations for PBE Play
- Bugs and Instability: Remember, the PBE is a testing environment. Expect bugs, crashes, server instability, and potentially unbalanced gameplay. This is precisely why it exists!
- High Ping: Depending on your geographical location, you might experience higher ping compared to your regional live servers, as the PBE servers are typically based in North America.
- Temporary Content: Content on the PBE is subject to change or removal at any time. What you see there might not be exactly what makes it to the live servers.
- No Progress Transfer: Any progress you make on the PBE (rank, cosmetics purchased with PBE RP, etc.) will not transfer to your live account.
- Limited Slots: As mentioned, iOS PBE slots are often limited. If you can't get in immediately, keep an eye out for future opportunities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Honor Level for PBE eligibility?
You can check your Honor Level by logging into the League of Legends client (PC/Mac) and navigating to your profile. Your Honor Level is displayed there.
How to get the TestFlight invitation link for TFT PBE?
The TestFlight invitation link is usually shared by Riot Games on their official Teamfight Tactics news pages, social media, and support articles when new PBE testing phases for mobile begin. Community forums like Reddit and Discord also often share these links.
How to know when new TFT PBE mobile slots open?
Follow official Teamfight Tactics social media accounts and community hubs like the r/TeamfightTactics subreddit. Riot often announces PBE slot openings or refreshes.
How to update the TFT PBE app on my iPad?
Updates for TestFlight apps typically happen automatically. However, you can manually check for updates by opening the TestFlight app, tapping on the TFT PBE app, and seeing if an "Update" button is available.
How to report bugs in TFT PBE on iPad?
Riot usually provides channels for bug reports on the official PBE forums or through specific feedback forms linked from their support pages. Detailed reports with steps to reproduce are highly valued.
How to use PBE RP on my iPad?
Once logged into the TFT PBE app, navigate to the in-game store. You'll see your PBE RP balance, which you can use to purchase various cosmetics like Little Legends, arenas, or even champions for testing purposes.
How to revert to the regular TFT app after playing PBE?
Simply close the TFT PBE app and open your regular TFT app (the one downloaded from the App Store). They are separate applications on your iPad.
How to provide general feedback on upcoming TFT changes?
Engage with the community on the official League of Legends PBE Subreddit or the community-run PBE Discord server. Rioters often monitor these platforms for player sentiment and feedback.
How to deal with high ping on TFT PBE on iPad?
High ping is common on PBE due to server location (typically North America). There's not much you can do within the game itself, but ensuring a strong and stable internet connection can help minimize other connectivity issues.
How to uninstall the TFT PBE app from my iPad?
Just like any other app, long-press the TFT PBE icon on your home screen until it jiggles, then tap the "X" or "-" symbol and confirm to delete it.