Find 20 testers to publish Your Android App on the Play Store

If you created your Play Console account after November 13th 2023 and it is a “Developer account for personal use”, you are required to proceed to closed testing of your app before it can be published on the Play Store.

you must run a closed test for your app with a minimum of 20 testers who have been opted-in for at least the last 14 days continuously. When you meet these criteria, you can apply for production access

In this article, I will share with you my experience to make this step as painless as possible.

A little bit of context

Since November 13th, 2023, Google has tightened its rules for publishing applications on the Play Store. These changes aim to improve app quality for users, which I support. However, requiring 20 testers over a 14-day period seems a bit excessive to me. This policy specifically applies to ‘Developer accounts for personal use.’ You can find more information about it here. Now that we’ve set the context, how can we get 20 testers quickly?

Setup your test

First, you need to set up your closed testing channel. Start by selecting ‘Closed Testing’ from the left-hand menu. Next, click on the ‘Create New Release’ button in the top-right corner to set up your test channel. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Next, you’ll need to add testers to your channel. At this stage, you’ll face an important choice depending on the method you prefer: you can either add individual testers by providing their email addresses or use a Google Group to manage testers collectively.

Use specific emails

If you already have your 20 testers, this is the easiest method. You can gather the emails of your testers and proceed quickly. However, the challenge for most is finding these 20 testers upfront, as they are required to keep the app for at least 14 days.

Use google groups

If you don’t already know your testers, you can create a Google group. Setup the group and ensure it’s open for anyone to join. It’s also a good idea to start a discussion within the group where you can share the necessary links (found at the bottom of the closed testing channel page) for users to access your app. This method works best when you don’t have email addresses for all your testers.

Find your testers

Now, let’s address the challenging (painful) part.

Friends, family and other social circles

One method is to reach out to your social circles (In Real Life & Online). If you’re fortunate, you may quickly find 20 people willing to keep your app installed and open it daily for 14 days. However, the main challenge is that many people you know may use iPhones or may not take the testing seriously. While this is the most obvious method, it’s not my personal favorite. Never really worked for me. For the setup of the channel, it’s obvious.

Reddit

When I was looking for testers on for my second app, I discovered the sub Reddit r/AndroidClosedTesting that is :

A sub for Android developers to post Play Store links for testing. This sub aims to provide people with testers as they may not have 20 testers

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Join the sub Reddit.

2. Make a post with links to your Google Group and app.

3. Test as many apps as possible, and share a screenshot as proof under other users’ posts so they’ll return the favor.

This method works wonders because everyone has the same goal, making it a win-win situation. While testing, you might even discover some great apps. It’s my go-to method: the community is fantastic, and it gets results. While you could ask users for their email addresses, setting up your channel with a Google Group is much easier.

Dedicated apps and freelancers

If you’re short on time and don’t mind spending $10 to $20, you can hire ‘professional’ testers to evaluate your app. Simply search for ‘closed testing’ on Google (or your preferred platform) or visit well-known websites in the gig economy. I’ve tried this method myself, and it works. For setting up your channel, follow the provider’s recommendations.

Finally

Getting your app tested and approved for the Play Store can feel like a hurdle, but it doesn’t have to be a painful process. Whether you turn to your social circles, explore communities like Reddit, or hire professional testers, there are multiple ways to find the 20 testers you need. It’s all about being strategic, utilizing available resources, and choosing the method that works best for you. With the new Play Store requirements, meeting the 20-tester mandate may seem daunting, but it’s an achievable goal.

Good luck with your testing, and I hope this article helps you navigate the process smoothly!