diff --git a/.github/workflows/mobile-ios-release.yml b/.github/workflows/mobile-ios-release.yml
index f759bd3efee..9e31a0b94f4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mobile-ios-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mobile-ios-release.yml
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ jobs:
     # (@MainActor isolation). Xcode 16.x (macos-15) can't even parse it
     # ("unknown attribute 'MainActor'"), so we need Xcode 26.x → macos-26.
     runs-on: macos-26
+    # Archive + upload is ~30–40m when healthy; 90m leaves margin without
+    # sitting multi-hour on ASC processing polls (see Fastfile pilot wait).
+    timeout-minutes: 90
 
     defaults:
       run:
diff --git a/mobile/fastlane/Fastfile b/mobile/fastlane/Fastfile
index d08ce9462f1..2b764b8de6e 100644
--- a/mobile/fastlane/Fastfile
+++ b/mobile/fastlane/Fastfile
@@ -221,14 +221,13 @@ platform :ios do
 
     upload_to_testflight(
       api_key: api_key,
-      # Why: fastlane can only assign external TestFlight groups after Apple
-      # finishes processing the uploaded build.
-      skip_waiting_for_build_processing: false,
-      distribute_external: true,
-      groups: TESTFLIGHT_GROUPS,
-      notify_external_testers: true,
-      # Why: fastlane requires release notes when distributing to external
-      # TestFlight testers, even for CI-triggered smoke releases.
+      # Why: waiting for ASC processing has hung for hours (0.0.42 builds 1–2)
+      # with no email and no Ready build in the UI. Exit after upload so CI is
+      # green when the binary is accepted; distribute externally from ASC once
+      # the build is Ready (or a follow-up lane).
+      skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true,
+      distribute_external: false,
+      # Changelog is still useful if someone later distributes this build.
       changelog: testflight_changelog,
     )
   end