What is the difference between Live Mode and Test Mode?
A very important part of the Bloc dashboard for developers is the two environments of the Bloc Dashboard, also referred to as "modes" — Test Mode and Live Mode. This article will explain what they are and why they're important.
Test Mode vs Live Mode
The Bloc Dashboard has two environments:
- Test Mode: This is for technical businesses to test and play with the different features and functionalities of the Bloc API & Dashboard. No real money is transacted here. You cannot send or receive real money in this mode.
- Live Mode: This is where real money is moved around by the customers. All transactions done in the Live Mode are real
The Test Mode — known by various names such as the test environment or "sandbox" — allows businesses to see firsthand what Bloc can do for them without fear of losing their money. Some of the best businesses on Bloc use this mode to test out new features from Bloc before going live and sharing it with their customers.
Live Mode is where the real transactions happen. In this environment, money is leaving someone's account and landing in yours, or vice versa.
For the sake of non-technical businesses using the dashboard to access business banking, Developers can only access the test and live modes of the Dashboard under the Developers menu of the settings page.
How to Access Test or Live Mode
To access live or test mode of the dashboard, go to the Settings page; then, go to the Developer menu and toggle on Access Developer Tools. This grants you access to developer features that provide a range of benefits, enabling you to access back-office operations and perform advanced actions.
Once you do this, you'll see the live mode button appear at the top right corner of your screen. You can toggle this button to switch to test mode and get your Test API Keys.
Things to note
- Only verified businesses can be in Live Mode. We require KYB verification on all businesses signed up with Bloc for them to go live. Businesses that are not verified cannot go live with Bloc. Verification typically takes between 24 - 48 hours.
- Anything you do in one mode doesn't automatically show up in the other. The two environments are distinct from each other. Anything you do in the Test Mode doesn't affect the Live Mode.
For example, if you create Payment Links or Virtual Accounts in the Test Mode, they will not show up in the Live Mode. Also, if you set up Checkout on the Live Mode, it will not show up in the Test Mode.
How to know which mode my dashboard is in
Once you toggle on the Developer tools tab of your dashboard, under the settings menu, you will be able to find the mode/environment you are in by looking at the top right of your screen.
To switch between modes, click on the toggle at the top right of your screen.
