diff --git a/config/docs.php b/config/docs.php
index 92c545a15..671d731a4 100644
--- a/config/docs.php
+++ b/config/docs.php
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
             1 => ['1.0', '1.1'],
             2 => ['2.0'],
             3 => ['3.0', '3.1', '3.2', '3.3'],
-            4 => ['4.0', '4.1', '4.2'],
+            4 => ['4.0', '4.1', '4.2', '4.5'],
         ],
     ],
 
diff --git a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/getting-started/upgrade-guide.md b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/getting-started/upgrade-guide.md
index ea88aa4a7..0ee11579d 100644
--- a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/getting-started/upgrade-guide.md
+++ b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/getting-started/upgrade-guide.md
@@ -3,6 +3,18 @@ title: Upgrade Guide
 order: 3
 ---
 
+## Upgrading To 4.5 From 4.4
+
+### Public releases need `APP_ENV=production`
+
+From 4.5, only a build packaged with `APP_ENV=production` can be released to the public. Any other `APP_ENV` makes a
+testing build: Google Play holds it to the internal and closed testing tracks, and the App Store limits it to
+TestFlight's internal testers.
+
+If you've been packaging store releases with Laravel's default `APP_ENV=local`, set `APP_ENV=production` in your
+`.env` before you package your next release. See
+[Production and testing builds](../publishing/introduction#production-and-testing-builds).
+
 ## Upgrading To 4.0 From 3.x
 
 v4's headline is [SuperNative](../architecture/super-native) — fully native UI. Most of the release is additive,
diff --git a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/android.md b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/android.md
index a36d43523..7889717f8 100644
--- a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/android.md
+++ b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/android.md
@@ -98,10 +98,19 @@ php artisan native:package android \
 The `--play-store-track` option controls where the build is released:
 
 - `internal` - Internal testing (default, fastest review)
-- `alpha` - Closed alpha testing
-- `beta` - Closed beta testing
+- `alpha` - Closed testing
+- `beta` - Open testing
 - `production` - Production release
 
+### Releasing to production
+
+<x-docs.version-badge since="4.5" />
+
+Only a build packaged with `APP_ENV=production` can be released on the `beta` or `production` tracks. A build packaged
+with any other `APP_ENV` is a [testing build](introduction#production-and-testing-builds), which Google Play holds to
+the `internal` and `alpha` tracks. If you ask for the `production` track, `native:package` stops before uploading and
+tells you which `APP_ENV` the build was made with.
+
 ## Testing Play Store Uploads
 
 If you already have an AAB file and want to test uploading without rebuilding, use `--test-push`:
@@ -209,6 +218,7 @@ php artisan native:package android \
 - Verify the Google Service Account has access to your app in Play Console
 - Ensure the service account key file is valid and readable
 - Check that your bundle ID matches your Play Console app ID
+- For the `beta` or `production` tracks, package with `APP_ENV=production` (see [Releasing to production](#releasing-to-production))
 
 ## Artifact Locations
 
diff --git a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/introduction.md b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/introduction.md
index a1d8a7530..c99b148ef 100644
--- a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/introduction.md
+++ b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/introduction.md
@@ -102,6 +102,38 @@ submit it to the stores for approval and distribution.
 - [Google Play Store submission guidelines](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9859152?hl=en-GB#zippy=%2Cmaximum-size-limit)
 - [Apple App Store submission guidelines](https://developer.apple.com/ios/submit/)
 
+## Production and testing builds
+
+<x-docs.version-badge since="4.5" />
+
+The `APP_ENV` in your `.env` when you package your app decides how far that build can be released. Only a build
+packaged with `APP_ENV=production` can be released to the public. Any other value, such as `local` or `staging`, makes
+it a testing build, and NativePHP tells both stores so:
+
+- **Play Store:** the build declares closed testing as the largest audience it may reach. It can go to the internal and
+  closed testing tracks, but Google Play won't release it on the open testing or production tracks.
+- **App Store:** the build is marked for TestFlight internal testing only. Your internal testers can install it, but it
+  can't be sent to external testers or submitted for App Store review.
+
+This is written into the build itself, so a testing build can't be promoted to a public release later.
+
+New Laravel apps start with `APP_ENV=local`, so set it before you package a release:
+
+```env
+APP_ENV=production
+```
+
+Your `.env` is bundled into the app, so it runs in the same environment on the device.
+
+<aside>
+
+#### Share builds with testers safely
+
+Package with `APP_ENV=staging` when you want to hand a build to testers. It can reach your internal TestFlight testers
+and the Play Store's internal and closed testing tracks, and it can never be released to the public by mistake.
+
+</aside>
+
 ## Packaging Your App
 
 The `native:package` command creates signed, production-ready apps for distribution to the App Store and Play Store.
@@ -118,3 +150,4 @@ Before you can package your app for distribution, ensure:
 3. For Android: You have a signing keystore with a valid key alias
 4. For iOS: You have the necessary signing certificates and provisioning profiles from Apple Developer
 5. All configuration is complete (see the [configuration guide](../getting-started/configuration))
+6. For a public release, your `.env` has `APP_ENV=production` (see [Production and testing builds](#production-and-testing-builds))
diff --git a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/ios.md b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/ios.md
index 5d258e6ba..30e3cef69 100644
--- a/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/ios.md
+++ b/resources/views/docs/mobile/4/publishing/ios.md
@@ -55,6 +55,17 @@ php artisan native:package ios \
   --team-id=ABC1234567
 ```
 
+### Testing builds
+
+<x-docs.version-badge since="4.5" />
+
+An `app-store` build packaged with any `APP_ENV` other than `production` is a
+[testing build](introduction#production-and-testing-builds), marked for TestFlight internal testing only. It uploads to
+App Store Connect as usual and your internal testers can install it, but it can't be sent to external testers or
+submitted for App Store review. Package it again with `APP_ENV=production` when you're ready to release.
+
+Ad-hoc, enterprise and development builds don't go through TestFlight, so `APP_ENV` doesn't limit them.
+
 ## Building for Ad-Hoc Distribution
 
 For distributing to specific devices without going through the App Store:
diff --git a/tests/Feature/Docs/PublishingAppEnvTest.php b/tests/Feature/Docs/PublishingAppEnvTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f4b4ecce6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Feature/Docs/PublishingAppEnvTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Tests\Feature\Docs;
+
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
+use Tests\TestCase;
+
+class PublishingAppEnvTest extends TestCase
+{
+    use RefreshDatabase;
+
+    protected function setUp(): void
+    {
+        parent::setUp();
+
+        // These pages render fenced code blocks; Torchlight throws outside
+        // production without a token, so fake its offline fallback.
+        config(['torchlight.token' => 'test-token']);
+        Http::fake([
+            '*' => Http::response(['blocks' => []], 200),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_publishing_introduction_explains_that_only_production_builds_reach_the_public(): void
+    {
+        $this->withoutVite()
+            ->get('/docs/mobile/4/publishing/introduction')
+            ->assertOk()
+            ->assertSee('id="production-and-testing-builds"', false)
+            ->assertSee('>4.5<', false)
+            ->assertSee('APP_ENV=production')
+            ->assertSee('TestFlight internal testing only')
+            ->assertSee('#production-and-testing-builds', false);
+    }
+
+    public function test_android_page_keeps_testing_builds_off_the_open_and_production_tracks(): void
+    {
+        $this->withoutVite()
+            ->get('/docs/mobile/4/publishing/android')
+            ->assertOk()
+            ->assertSee('id="releasing-to-production"', false)
+            ->assertSee('introduction#production-and-testing-builds', false)
+            ->assertSee('Open testing')
+            ->assertDontSee('Closed beta testing');
+    }
+
+    public function test_ios_page_explains_that_app_store_testing_builds_stay_in_internal_testflight(): void
+    {
+        $this->withoutVite()
+            ->get('/docs/mobile/4/publishing/ios')
+            ->assertOk()
+            ->assertSee('id="testing-builds"', false)
+            ->assertSee('introduction#production-and-testing-builds', false)
+            ->assertSee('TestFlight internal testing only');
+    }
+
+    public function test_upgrade_guide_tells_4_4_apps_to_package_releases_with_production(): void
+    {
+        $this->withoutVite()
+            ->get('/docs/mobile/4/getting-started/upgrade-guide')
+            ->assertOk()
+            ->assertSeeInOrder(['Upgrading To 4.5 From 4.4', 'APP_ENV=production', 'Upgrading To 4.0 From 3.x'])
+            ->assertSee('publishing/introduction#production-and-testing-builds', false);
+    }
+}