Beta Testing

The distribution of applications in the Google Play Console is a crucial process for developers seeking to launch their applications to the market in a controlled and secure manner. Through different distribution channels, Google offers the possibility of testing the application with different groups of users before its official launch, which allows identifying and correcting bugs early, thus improving the final user experience.

How do the distribution channels work in Google Play Console?

Google Play Console offers different types of testing before the official release of an application. These channels allow developers to distribute test versions to specific groups of users to obtain valuable feedback. To access these options, you need to go to your application's dashboard in Google Play Console and select the "Test & Publish" tab.

The main types of tests available are:

• Internal test: Aimed at a small group of up to 100 testers, ideal for the early stages of validation.
• Closed test: Allows you to share the application with an unlimited number of testers. If you have a personal developer account, you will need at least 20 active testers for 14 days before being able to launch to production.
• Open testing: It is practically like being in production. The app will be available on Google Play and users will be able to download it and leave comments, but these will not affect the official rating of the app.

These testing phases are essential to ensure the quality of the final product and minimize the risks associated with the launch of an application.

How to create a closed test channel?

To set up a closed test channel in Google Play Console, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your application's control panel.
2. Go to the "Test & Publish" tab.
3. Select "Testing" and then "Closed test".
4. Click on "Create channel" and assign a descriptive name (e.g. "testers calory tracker")
5. Follow the step-by-step guide provided by Google Play:
   • Select the countries where the test will be available
   • Choose the testers who will participate in the test
   • Create a new release by uploading a bundle of the application

It is important to note that for each new release you need to upload a new version of your bundle with a unique version number higher than the previous versions.

How to generate and upload a new bundle for testing?

To create a new distribution version, it is necessary to generate a new signed bundle of the application. This process involves several technical steps:

1. In Android Studio, select "Build" > "Generate Signed Bundle/APK."
2. Choose "Android App Bundle" and click "Next".
3. Select your signature file (keystore) and enter the required credentials
4. Choose the release type (in this case "full release")
5. Click on "Create" to generate the bundle

Once the bundle is generated, you must upload it to Google Play Console:

// Make sure the versionCode in your build.gradle is greater than the previous versionandroid { defaultConfig { versionCode 5 // Increment this number for each new version versionName "1.0.5" }}

It is critical to remember that you cannot upload versions with numbers that are repeated or lower than those already published. If you try to upload a version that already exists (such as version 3 in the transcript example), Google Play Console will show an error and you will have to generate a new version with a higher number.

What information to include when creating a test release?

When creating a new release for your closed test channel, you must provide relevant information for your testers:

1. Upload the generated bundle by dragging it to the designated area in Google Play Console.
2. Wait for the basic content verification to be completed
3. Add notes on the details of the version you want your testers to test
4. Provide clear instructions on what aspects they should evaluate

Once these steps are completed, your closed test version is ready to be distributed to selected testers, who can download the app and provide valuable feedback before it goes into production.

Google Play Console distribution channels are powerful tools to ensure the quality of your application before its official release. Implementing a progressive testing strategy will allow you to identify issues early and deliver an optimal user experience when your app finally reaches all users. Have you used these distribution channels in your projects? Share your experience in the comments.