How to Install an App for Testing on Android
Let's take a look at the easiest ways to install your Android app for testing.
Install from APK
The most straight and simple way is to download an APK file of your app on your Android device and install it.
When your app is ready for testing, we'll provide you with a link to download the APK file.
You can open this link on your Android device and download the file.
Next, tap on the file and follow the steps that your device will provide to complete the installation.
That's it. You have installed your app and are ready to proceed with testing.
However, this simple method can have its pitfalls. Downloading and installing an APK means you are installing an app from an unknown source. Nowadays Android has additional layers of security, like Google Play Protect, that may not allow you to install an app from an unknown source. It is up to you whether you'll disable this feature or will keep it enabled, but if you are facing difficulties installing an app from APK or the security policies in your organization deny installing an app from an unknown source, see the second option below.
Create a testing track on Play Console
If you have not created your Google Play Developer account yet, please see the following article.
The second option is to use Play Console. Using it, you can set up open, closed, or internal test tracks. These tracks allow you to test your app with specific groups or open your test to Google Play users. Each of these testing tracks has its own features, but we recommend you to continue with the Internal testing track because it is the fastest one. However, if you want to learn more about all other tracks, see the following article.
By default, we provide APK files for app testing, but to launch your app for testing via Play Console, you'll need an AAB (Android App Bundle) file. If you are going to continue through the Play Console, please let us know and we'll provide you with the AAB file for testing.
To continue, you should have an app created at Play Console. If it is not, see the following article.
To set up internal testing, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Set up test details
You have to create a list of internal testers by email address. An internal test can have up to 100 testers per app.
Log in to Play Console and go to the Internal testing page (Testing > Internal testing).
Select the Testers tab, then select Create email list.
Enter a list name. You can use the same list for future tests on updates of your app.
Add email addresses separated by commas or click Upload CSV file. If you use a .CSV file, put each email address on its own line without any commas. If you upload a .CSV file, it will overwrite any email addresses you've added.
Select Save changes, then Create. You have created an email list of your testers.
Next, select the user lists you want to test your release.
Copy the shareable link to share the release with testers. Then select Save changes.
Step 2: Create a release
Once you've set up the details of your app's test, you can prepare and roll out a release.
Go to Testing > Internal testing and click Create new release.
Upload your AAB file, then select Save.
When you've finished preparing your release, select Review release.
Select Start rollout to Internal testing, then select Rollout.
Step 3: Share your app with testers
Your internal testers won’t be able to find your app by searching it on Google Play. You need to share the app’s Play Store URL with testers so they can download your app. You have copied this URL in the last item at Step 1, so this step is pretty easy:
Simply share the link with your testers and you are ready to proceed with testing.
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 before he can install your app.
Step 4: End a test
When you have finished testing your app and are ready to release it to production, it may be useful to end the testing track you have, so the users that were testing won't face any difficulties installing the production version.
To remove users from your app's test:
Open Play Console and go to Testing > Internal testing.
Near the top right of the page, select Pause track.
After ending a test, testers won't receive updates but the app will remain installed on their device.
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