Develop Reference

How to remove myself from Beta Testing for my own app and see the Open Testing version?

I had an app that was in the Internal Testing phase, and I had added my own email to the internal testing list of testers. Now, I want to download the release on the Open Testing track, but when I visit my app listing on the play store, it still shows "(Early Access)" behind my app name.
I tried to follow the documentation for leaving a beta program, but there was no "Manage apps & devices" button when I clicked on the profile icon on the play store on my web browser.
So then I started up my AVD, opened up the Play Store and signed into my account, then I managed to find my app in "Manage apps & devices", but there was nothing there about leaving the beta program.
I also tried to remove the email list containing my email from the Internal Testing track, and then also paused the Internal Testing track, but I still see "(Early Access)" in the Play Store.
Then after more searching, I found this thread . I followed it and tried to add "/leave" at the end of my internal testing app URL, which worked (which already doesn't make sense since I already removed myself via the Google Play Console), but after clicking the leave button, I STILL SEE "(Early Access)" in the Play Store!
Must I create brand a new Google Account just to see the Open Testing of my own app??
(Edit: to clarify, I have not released my app to production yet. However, when I view the app on play store without logging in to a google account, I can see the Open Testing version, without "(Early Access)" behind the app name.)

Google Play Console - Internal Testing link does not work

I have an app published to Google Play Console for Internal Testing i.e. I just want this app to be available to certain users. Below is the current summary of the app;
Note this is the second release i 'tried' to see if there will be any difference; I first uploaded a .AAB file then in the latest release I uploaded the .APK file.
Below is the link I send to my testers;
Issue is that when a tester clicks on the link, they opt in the 'programme' and have an option to download it on google play. When they click on that link, its either just infinite loading or a message to say the requested URL was not found on this server.
Please note this app has not been published to the play store as a
live version.
This is the first time the app has been uploaded to internal testing.
The app has been first published for internal testing last Friday (6th of Nov) and now is 9th of Nov.
On the dashboard, there is an announcement as shown below but I cannot see anywhere the 'status' of the app i.e. to say its being reviewed etc.
Reply from Google;
I understand you have some concerns about app pending issue. Please note that after you submit a new app or an update to an existing app on your Play Console, it can take some time for your app to be processed for publishing on Google Play. Any time you make a change to your app while a review is already pending will mean the review period starts over. Furthermore, any submissions can't be retrieved or cancelled. As a result, we recommend you adjust your planning to account for this and avoid resubmitting.
For certain developer accounts, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app(s) to help better protect users. This may result in review times of up to 7 days or longer in exceptional cases. You can always view the current status on your Publishing overview page. When the review is completed, you will see "You don't have any changes in review" under Changes in review section. In addition, we would also like to remind you that if you turned on the managed publishing mode, your update won't be published until you click "Review and publish."

Facing the same issue. Uploaded a new app on Nov 6th. Still waiting for the app to be available on the play store for internal tests. Followed the procedure to enable internal app sharing from the play store app which is:
Go to settings on the play store app
Tap on play store version seven times to enable internal app sharing
Enable internal app sharing.
Even after following this procedure, the app is still inaccessible to my internal testers. From research, I've concluded it might be due to the IARC content rating not having been accepted yet https://stackoverflow.com/a/63651644.
UPDATE: I was able to get my app available to testers later on by going to Publish Overview and clicking on 'Review and publish' button.

Had the same problem. Now my app is visible to internal testers.
You have to finish all the checks and formalities before your app shows up on the Play Store like agreeing to the tncs and privacy policy, adding descriptions, screenshots, etc. I also enabled sharing of app via URL by going to Setup > Internal app sharing

App cannot be downloaded from Google Play because "another account has joined the beta program"

We recently released an app on google play and after a couple of beta versions I moved it from beta to production. However, some people cannot download the app. Here is an example from Vietnam:
I don't know Vietnamese, but I asked a colleague to translate it and it says:
"Another account, {{email}}, has joined the beta program of this app. The updates for this app could include many beta versions."
Does anybody know how to solve this?

Google Play Store seems to store the application and user account association information in the device's local storage. Clearing the data of the Google Play Store from its app info page should do the trick. Now simply switch the the account that you have joined the beta program with and you should be able to install / update the restricted app version.
If it still doesn't work, repeat the process but this time reboot the device.
Another option is to install the app remotely through google play's website. First remove the app from the device, visit the site with the required google account and install the app in the device of your choice remotely.

This should not block updates, it should only be a warning. The English version of the message is "Another account on this device, XXXX, joined this app’s beta program. Updates to this app might include beta versions."
(Good translation by your colleague).
This is a device with more than one gmail account associated with Google Play. It is probably either shared by multiple people or the user has multiple gmail addresses.
An android device can only ever have one version of an APK (with the same package name) on it installed at once, even with multiple users.
The warning is saying that the current account looking for an update is not enrolled in the beta program for the app. However, another account on the device is enrolled in the beta program. This means if this user does an update, they might get a beta version of the app (as the upgrade as to be appropriate for the other user too). The warning is displayed so the user doesn't unexpectedly get a beta version.
However, it should only be a warning, it shouldn't stop the user updating.

There's a way to bypass this guys, should you want to install the application. On the app list when you search for the desired application, click on the "..." symbol at the upper right corner of the application, there is an "Install" option for you.

There is a button on left top corner, for google play store options. There, change the user to a the one they say that can use the program (different e-mail adress), and you will be able to download the required app.

Is it possible remove temporarily an app from Play Store?

I have published an app in Google Play a few months ago. That app have some downloads and data from users in Console Google. I will release a new version, but while I'm finishing, I want remove it temporarily - keeping all that data and download numbers. Is it possible or when I cancel the publish all data will be deleted?

Please note that you unpublish (and this means just what name says, nothing more) not just APK - you hide all related stuff (app's page in Google Play etc). To end user it looks like the app is gone. For you - it is still in your console, you can edit description, images, see comments, stats or update APKs etc., but unless you publish it again, nobody will see these changes.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/13493065/7303462

You could do that by unpublishing your app. You can re-publish it by installing a newer apk of the app and all the data will remain the same, you'd not loose any of it.
PS: You cannot delete an app from your account. Published and unpublished apps will remain in your account.

Update 2022 :
You can go to "Google play console -> Release -> Setup -> Advanced Settings", but as google says :
Unpublished: New users cannot find and install your app. Existing users can still find it and will receive updates.
Published: New users can find and install your app
I found a solution so that you can restrict the region of your app if you do not want to delete and republish it. This prevents even existing users from finding your app. In the published list of your app, you should keep at least one country, and you can select the country with the lowest downloads.

play store alpha test download link not working

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.