Releasing an app on Play Console has several release steps: internal testing > closed alpha > open beta > production
I'm in internal testing phase, but no one on my testers list has been given an invite. I created the list, including my email and another that I know is valid, both Gmail accounts, but no email invite. There is an option to "save" after managing testers, but there is no "send invite" button. All I missing something?
The system doesn't invite them, you have to give them the opt-in URL yourself. I think the email list is just for access control.
The Google Play Console Help details this step:
After clicking the opt-in link, your testers will get an explanation of what it means to be a tester and a link to opt in. Each tester needs to opt in using the link.
Here's what worked for me:
Go to "App releases"
then "internal test track"
then "manage Manage testers"
then click "expand"
the "Opt-in URL" appears as in the image below
send the link to all testers, they'll be able to "join the programme"
I ran into this same problem today. I added myself to the internal testing and waited for the email, it never came. There's no indication on the web page or documentation that it is supposed to come.
BTW, I've had great success with Fabric Beta for distributing test versions of my apps before. I've also been involved with a project that uses Microsoft's App Center -- that seems to work pretty well too.
In my case the mailing list wasn't checked, I missed that!
Well, I had the same issue and what I did the followings:
Option 1: I sent the Google Play app link: by which they can directly go and download the Internal Tester version
Option 2: And, I manually sent them the .apk file which they manually downloaded and install. And the internal testers are happy with it.
NOTE: Try option2 only if Option-1 does not work.
Related
I thought I need just this link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.myapp.name to download an app from Play Store, but when I click on it from tester account (which in tester list) I can only see
The link of testing will be https://play.google.com/apps/testing/packagename and you can find that in Alpha/Beta publish tab.
https://play.google.com/apps/publish --> Select app --> Release Management --> App Release --> Alpha/Beta --> Manage --> Opt-in URL (URL for testing)
Updated to add tester (Close test)
Add testers
On the left menu, select Settings Settings > Manage testers > Create
a list.
Type a name to identify your list of testers. You can use the same list for future tests on any of your apps.
Add email addresses and create list.
On the left menu,select Release management > App releases.
Next, to the closed track, select Manage.
Next to "Choose a testing method," select Closed Testing.
In the "Users" section, check the box next to the list you want to use.
List of will be notified and selected user can accept the invitation and test the app.
Here's how I found it (with help from Scar Coder's answer)
Log into the Google Play Console and select the app from the list, then click the App releases option in the left sidebar, then click the 'Manage' button for your internal test release:
Expand the 'Manage testers area'
Copy the Opt-in URL:
For the new Google Play Console version
Open your app → Release → Testing → Internal testing
Tap on Testers → Scroll down and you will see How testers join your test at the bottom.
After that testers should accept the inventation, install app from Google Play and check the updates
You just might have to wait...
The initial release time of up to 48hrs is what confused me, and is not well communicated on the Play Console:
Searched for "android Available to internal testers", as Play Console stated exactly this, without the link providing an app (see original question).
App should come to the published status before the Opt-in URL is enabled. You can get your app status in the small '?' symbol or in the drop down box location above the page. Google takes some time to review the app before publish after you submitted it.
On the Play Console, there is an opt-in url that needs to be sent to the internal testers before they can be able to download the app
We had to test migration from older app versions to the one under development.
Unfortunately the link to the older version:
https://play.google.com/apps/test/<path.to.my.app>/<version code>
did not install the old version but the most recent version from the store. Even though the account was registered as "Tester" in "Internal Testing" in the Google Play Console and the developer feature "Internal app sharing" was turned on in the Playstore settings on the tester smartphone.
My solution was to clear the cache of the Google Playstore app.
Then, I had to become a developer in the Playstore again (by tapping "Settings / About / Play Store Version" several times) in order to activate "Settings/General/Internal app sharing" again.
Afterwards, clicking the link worked fine. And I got the longed-for message "This version of this app () may be old. Turn off auto-update for this app to keep it from getting updated." and could perform my tests.
https://play.google.com/apps/publish --> Select app --> Testing(in Release Part) --> Internal testing --> Testers and scroll Down and in How testers join your part take link of your app by clicking copy link part
You should visit the link on an Android device
As per the new Google Play console, you can share your app to internal testers by visiting internal app sharing upload page, Upload a new appBundle and share the link.
You can manage your internal testers under internal testing in the play console.
With internal app sharing, you can quickly share an app bundle or APK with your internal team and testers by uploading an app bundle or APK on the internal app sharing upload page and generating a link. When sharing your app this way, you can restrict access to email lists only or allow anyone whom you share the link with to download.
Source
I have successfully uploaded my APK to Google Console and set my own email adress as tester for internal testing. But when I Submit the app for internal testing I don't receive any mail. As you can see the email is correct and the APK has been uploaded correctly. Have I missed a step or done something wrong? Don't understand.
You need to share the opt-in link to your internal tester manually:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/3131213?hl=en
Copy the "Opt-in URL" to share with your testers.
Once your tester have opted-in they will see the alpha/beta build on play store as soon as play store has published it.
Moreover the email addresses used should by the ones of the Google Account your testers use on their mobile phones.
Step 3: Share your opt-in URL with users After you create a test,
you'll get a URL link to your app to share with your testers. The
opt-in link only shows when an app is "Published." Apps in "Draft" or
"Pending publication" won't show the opt-in link. After clicking the
opt-in link, your testers will get an explanation of what it means to
be a tester and a link to opt in. Each tester needs to opt in using
the link. If you're running a closed test with a Google Group or
Google+ Community, users need to join the group or community before
opting in to your test.
I had a similar problem and it turns out I created the internal release by hadn't published it I guess.
The solution was to click the "Create Release" button at the top of the internal test page under "App releases". I hadn't clicked that button originally because I thought it would advance my app from internal release to release to the general public. Basically I got confused by the label.
I am able to use Google Play and download/install apps. But when I try to install my app which is already published and visible on Google Play store, I keep getting the following error:
Authentication is required. You need to sign in to your Google
Account.
I have tried it on different android devices, reset the Google account on the mobile device and re-logged in. I still end up getting the same error only for my app.
Please advice if you have encountered a similar error. Lots of remedies available when searched for the said error message but those are when all apps are not downloadable. My issue is localized only to my app.
The app(a simple game) is Android based and made with Unity.
Link to the app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CubeBoy.FlyBox
For some reason, posting the final APK to production stage straight away causes the above mentioned error.
Ensure the following:
Post your initial APK to Alpha first.
Set up a Google Group account for testing and add it under "Manage list of testers"
This article was great an is definitely bookmarked. My only suggestion is that you add the following:
Here'e what worked for me - after nearly a day of troubleshooting:
Follow this tutorial EXACTLY:
https://help.gamesalad.com/hc/en-us/articles/203536123-7-6-In-App-Purchases-IAP-for-Google-Play
Note that in this tutorial you publish an alpha testing version and add testers. Also note that the testers must have different gmail accounts than the owner of the Developer Console. So, IF THE APP IS NOT PUBLISHED, ALL TESTERS will be blocked.
If the app is published and the users are listed as testers, ensure that the testers go to the link specified in Console -> Apk Tab -> Manange List of Testers -> Share the following link with your testers. If no link is present yet, then you cannot begin testing.
If all of the above is done, then remove all accounts from your device, restart, and then add only the tester's account to the device. For example, if myTester#gmail.com then on device go to settings-> Accounts -> Google -> Click each account and select "remove account" -> Restart device -> Go to settings -> Accounts -> Add Account -> Select a Google account and enter credentials. As stated in the tutorial, this account CANNOT BE THE SAME as the Developer's Console owner.
The last check would be to try and sign into Google Play and see what account comes up. If not, the account credentials may be the issue
I had the same problem. Play also told me it was incompatible with my devices.
I used keshk's advise and posted it as a Beta version first. Then I chose to lift it over to Production. (button to the right of the version) Then it worked immediately to install it and the incompatible warning was gone.
No need to add any testers etc.
PS I don't know exactly what text is on the English version of the button as I get it in Swedish.
I make some research. That's error can display when APK version not the same than on the production. For example, production version have 0.1, you build new version 0.2. You will get that message, until upload new version to google.
I think I followed all steps which I have found so far but the download link for my alpha test isn't working.
I uploaded the app 3 days ago, created a google group and added the group to the list of alpha testers.
I invited a few members and the app status shows published, after clicking on the link I can signup as alpha tester, but when I click on "Download from the Play Store" the error message "We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server" comes.
Did I miss an additional step? Do I have to grant some special rights to the group members somehow?
--- update can this be caused by the permissions of the app?
under the apk info in the developer console I can see:
functions:
android.hardware.LOCATION
android.hardware.location.GPS
android.hardware.location.NETWORK
android.hardware.TOUCHSCREEN
permissions:
android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
android.permission.INTERNET
-----UPDATE2
Well I don't have any idea what changed but now the download link is working for my alpha testers.
For me, it resulted to be a cache problem so deleting the cache in Setting > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage > Clean Cache and deleting chrome's cache, did the trick.
If your app is published in alpha or beta version :
it won't be shown in search results,
use the link that google play sent you in the group of testers in order to open it in Google Play application.
(see edit below)
You can also open this URL : https://play.google.com/apps/testing/APP_PACKAGE with a browser if the email configured in your phone is a member of the google testers group.
i don't think permissions in manifest can hide an app of the store !
EDIT
After you have uploaded your APK file and published it to Alpha or Beta version, you will see a link "manage testers group" or something like that. Click on that link ... you will be asked to add a google group of testers, below the popup you will see a message like this : "share this link with you testers group". Copy that link and send it to the group by mail.
Sorry I am writing with SO android app, I can't paste screenshots therefore ... may be tomorow ;-)
Hope it's ok.
I don't have any idea what changed but now the download link is working
You issue was just the publish delay -- it takes some time for Google Play servers to pick up your submission (for any publishing operation, even with alpha builds), usually under 24 hours.
Try opening the link on both your test device and in a desktop browser.
I was able to sign up as a tester from the device, but not install the app (said not found), but going to the desktop browser was able to use google pay to install it remotely to the device.
Make sure its the url in the form https://play.google.com/apps/testing/{your.namespace}
Sign in to your Goole Play Console.
Select your app.
On the left menu, Select Release management -> App releases.
Select Manage Alpha or Manage Beta.
Manage testers, click on right side down arrow.(Just below CREATE RELEASE)
Choose a testing method: select Closed Beta Testing.
Next Create list or select the name of your list.
Feedback Channel: Enter your email to get feedback from testers.
Copy Opt-in URL and send it to your testers.
Now once you completed, Google Play servers takes time for any publishing builds alpha or beta. For me it takes 15-20 minutes to available.
Sometime clear cache of your browser and refresh link. will work.
Once link is available, Open it in your testing device and click on below link
Download the *APP NAME* app on Google Play
Press the Update Button. After installation you can test it.
How authorized testers turn on internal app sharing
Before authorized testers can download apps using internal app sharing, they need to turn on internal app sharing on their Google Play Store app.
Open the Google Play Store app Google Play.
Tap Menu Menu > Settings.
In the “About” section, tap the Play Store version 7 times.
After the Internal app sharing setting appears, tap
the switch to turn on internal app sharing. Tap Turn on.
I'm having the same problem, the link simply doesn't work, 36 hours after publishing. Might as well not even provide the alpha/beta features if it's going to be like this.
Anyway, I'm sharing some information provided to me by Google Support, hoping it'll be helpful:
Ensure that you have added a valid Google Group email or Google+ Community URL to the Developer Console and that you are included in the group/community. Once the group/community has been added, the name of the group will display in the “Manage list of testers” link in the testing tab. (Please note when adding a Google Group you need to enter the email address and not the URL).
If you wish to use a Google Group in a Google Apps domain, the Developer Console and Private Channel must be enabled for your domain in the Google Apps Control Panel.
An app must be published for several hours before the opt-in link will become available to testers.
Currently, testers must have only one account on their device. Devices with more than one account will receive the production version of your app. (Please note this requirement is temporary. Stay tuned for updates).
If you followed the mentioned instructions and it's still not working, in 2019 make sure to also check the following:
1) Make sure the testing group is selected, but is also active:
2) Ask your testers to log out of their google account, then to clear the cache of their browser. They should then close/re-open the browser and log in into the invited email address.
There are several causes for the internal/alpha testing link not working:
1-You are on a different google play account
2-Your email is not added at the email list for testers
3-Go to google play console> your app > app releases > internal test > make sure list name is check as if not the testers will not have access to the app
Hope this helps to solve the issue
One of the causes of that issue might be its availability in (one) particular country only. (USA, usually).
In that case you just should go to the app details and allow its distribution to other (local) stores.
My problem was that even though I deinstalled my release version the link from internal testing brought me again to the release version. This fixed it.
I had this problem if I was logged in with multiple different Google accounts. I opened a new private browsing window and logged in with the account that I wanted to use as an alpha tester, and then the download link worked.
I got the same issue, seems a bug. Solved by:
1.Click "unpublish".
2.Wait for a while, click "re-publish".
Then my App became available in a few minutes.
In my case I was listed as tester in several list (alpha and internal test).
I had only joined the alpha testing channel and I had no way to access the app via the link nor via searching the store.
And as soon as I also joined the internal test channel.
The link to the app magically started working.
So I guess the rule is: you need to make sure you have joined the most privileged testing group that you're invited to.
Also make sure the app, you're going to test, is uninstalled from your device.
Is there a way to remove a member from my Google Play beta test group in the developer console? I have removed them from my Google+ Community and when the user checks their G+ communites mine is not listed. However, when they go to the store and search for my app, they still see and download the beta version.
The user will need to leave the test. They do this by going to the link that you originally provided (i.e the link that they used to enter the test) and clicking "Leave the Test."
While logged-in to the Google account that you'd like to leave the BETA program, hit the following URL (replacing "your.package.name" with your APK's package name)
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/your.package.name/leave
You can also send the BETA tester this link.
The closest thing I could do was to close the Beta track for my app. This is the Remove Testers button inside the manage beta page. I still don't see a way to remove individuals from the beta test.